[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67942-67943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32638]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-160]


Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech Research Reactor; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or NRC) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of its 
regulations to Facility Operating License No. R-97, a license held by 
the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech or the licensee). The 
exemption would apply to the Georgia Tech Research Reactor (GTRR), a 
shutdown and defueled facility located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would eliminate emergency response plan 
requirements due to the shutdown and defueled status of the GTRR 
facility.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated August 20, 1998. The requested action would grant an 
exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(q) for emergency 
planning.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The nuclear fuel was removed from the GTRR in February 1996. By NRC 
License Amendment No. 12, dated April 2, 1998, the authority to operate 
the reactor was removed and the licensee was authorized to possess the 
residual by-product material. The tritiated heavy water was removed 
from the facility in July 1998. In this shutdown and defueled 
condition, the facility poses a reduced risk to public health and 
safety. Because of this reduced risk, the requirements of 10 CFR 
50.54(q) are no longer required. An exemption is required from 10 CFR 
50.54(q) to allow the licensee to drop the requirement to maintain and 
implement the Emergency Plan for the GTRR.

Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action

    Before issuing the proposed exemption, the Commission will have 
concluded that the granting of the exemption from certain portions of 
10 CFR 50.54(q) is acceptable, as describe in the exemption. The 
proposed action will not increase the probability or consequences of 
accidents, no changes are being made in the types of effluents that may 
be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in 
occupational or public radiation exposure. Therefore, there are no 
significant radiological environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed action.
    With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered 
denial of the proposed action. Denial of the exemption would result in 
no change in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts 
of the proposed

[[Page 67943]]

action and the alternative action are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
Georgia Tech Research Reactor.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on November 25, 1998, the NRC 
staff has consulted with Mr. Thomas Hill of the State of Georgia, 
Radioactive Materials Program, Department of Natural Resources, 
regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed action. The State 
official had no comment regarding environmental impacts of the proposed 
action.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    On the basis of the environmental assessment, the Commission 
concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect 
on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission 
has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed action.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the licensee 
letter dated August 20, 1998, which is available for public review at 
the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L 
Street, NW, Washington, DC.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of December 1998.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Seymour H. Weiss,
Director, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate, 
Division of Reactor Program Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor 
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-32638 Filed 12-8-98; 8:45 am]
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