[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 44 (Friday, March 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11317-11318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5807]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No.: 30-5897]


Applications, Hearings, Determinations, etc.: Phillip's Research 
Center's Radiation Laboratory; Bartlesville, OK

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of consideration of amendment request for 
decommissioning the Phillip's Research Center's Radiation Laboratory in 
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and oppportunity for a hearing.

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    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
issuance of a license amendment to Byproduct Material License No. 35-
00313-03, issued to the Phillips Petroleum Company (Phillips), to 
authorize decommissioning of portions of its facility at Phillip's 
Research Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Phillips is currently 
authorized by the NRC to perform activities with licensed radioactive 
material at its Phillip's Research Center and plans to continue 
licensed operations at this site.
    On November 12, 1996, Phillips notified NRC of its intent to cease 
principal activities permanently at the Radiation Laboratory. The 
licensee has been decommissioning the Radiation Laboratory at the 
Bartlesville facility in accordance with the conditions discussed in 
License No. 35-00313-03. On April 7, 1997, the licensee submitted a 
site decommissioning plan (SDP) to NRC for review that summarized the 
decommissioning activities that will be undertaken to remediate the 
Radiation Laboratory, and release it from radiological controls and 
licensing restrictions so that the building debris can be disposed in 
an industrial landfill. Radioactive contamination at the licensee's 
Radiation Laboratory facility discussed in the SDP consists of soils 
and building rubble contaminated with tritium resulting from licensed 
operations that occurred from 1960 until 1996. Because Phillips is 
actively performing work under their current license, they are not 
requesting unrestricted release of the entire site at the Phillip's 
Research Center, nor termination of the license.
    Phillips requested NRC approval of site specific decommissioning 
criteria for tritium. The NRC will review the licensee's request for 
elevated release criteria for tritium. During decommissioning 
activities, the NRC will require the licensee to maintain effluents and 
doses within NRC requirements and as low as reasonably achievable.
    Prior to approving the decommissioning plan, NRC will have made 
findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and 
NRC's regulations. These findings will be documented in a Safety 
Evaluation Report and an Environmental Assessment. Approval of the SDP 
will be documented in an amendment to License No. 35-00313-03.
    The NRC hereby provides notice that this is a proceeding on an 
application for amendment of a license falling within the scope of 
Subpart L ``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials 
Licensing Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules and practice for domestic 
licensing proceedings in 10 CFR Part 2. Pursuant to Sec. 2.1205(a), any 
person whose interest may be affected by this proceeding may file a 
request for a hearing in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(d). A request for 
a hearing must be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of the 
publication of this Federal Register notice.

[[Page 11318]]

    The request for a hearing must be filed with the Office of the 
Secretary either:
    1. By delivery to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738, 
between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm Federal workdays; or
    2. By mail or telegram addressed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
    In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR Part 
2 of the NRC's regulations, a request for a hearing filed by a person 
other than an applicant must describe in detail:
    1. The interest of the requester in the proceeding;
    2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the 
proceeding, including the reasons why the requestor should be permitted 
a hearing, with particular reference to the factors set out in 
Sec. 2.1205 (h);
    3. The requester's areas of concern about the licensing activity 
that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and
    4. The circumstance establishing that the request for a hearing is 
timely in accordance with Sec. 2.1205 (d).
    In accordance with 10 CFR 2.1205 (f), each request for a hearing 
must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, to:
    1. The applicant, Phillips Petroleum Company, Phillips Research 
Center, 87-D PRC, Bartlesville, OK 74004, Attention: Mr. Martin S. 
Clark; and
    2. The NRC staff, by delivery to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 
20852-2738, between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm Federal workdays, or by mail, 
addressed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 
DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
    For further details with respect to this action, the site 
decommissioning plan is available for inspection at the NRC's Region IV 
offices located at 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400, Arlington, TX 
76011-8064.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Vivian Campbell, Division of 
Nuclear Material Safety, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV, 
611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400, Arlington, TX 76011-8064. Telephone: 
(817) 860-8143.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 28th day of February 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John W.N. Hickey,
Chief, Low-Level Waste and Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of 
Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-5807 Filed 3-5-98; 8:45 am]
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