[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3984-3985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1707]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste; Notice of Meeting

    The Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste (ACNW) will hold its 106th 
meeting on February 23-25, 1999, Room T-2B3, 11545 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, Maryland.
    The entire meeting will be open to public attendance.
    The schedule for this meeting is as follows:

Tuesday, February 23, 1999--8:30 A.M. until 6:00 P.M.

[[Page 3985]]

Wednesday, February 24, 1999--8:30 A.M. until 6:00 P.M.
Thursday, February 25, 1999--8:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.

    The following topics will be discussed:
    A. Viability Assessment--The Committee will continue its review of 
the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Yucca Mountain viability assessment 
(VA). Discussions with representatives of DOE and the NRC staff are 
possible. The Committee will discuss its own internal review of the VA.
    B. Waste Related Research--The Committee will review nuclear waste 
related research and technical assistance being performed for the NRC. 
The Committee will present the results of this review in a report to 
the Commissioners due April 1999. Discussions with representatives of 
NRC's Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research and Nuclear Material Safety 
and Safeguards is anticipated.
    C. Preparation of ACNW Reports--The Committee will discuss planned 
reports on the following topics: an ACNW self-assessment, DOE's 
Viability Assessment, NRC supported Waste Related Research, a White 
Paper on Repository Design Issues at Yucca Mountain, and other topics 
discussed during this and previous meetings as the need arises.
    D. Repository Design--The Committee will begin work on a White 
Paper that addresses Repository Design Issues for Yucca Mountain. The 
paper will focus on the results of thermal testing and modeling and how 
moisture contacts and affects the waste package. The Committee may also 
examine the significance of coupled effects, aspects of waste 
retrievability, repository ventilation, rock fall, and water dripping 
into drifts.
    E. Meeting with NEI--Representatives from the Nuclear Energy 
Institute will present their perspective on the upcoming year. Topics 
will focus on the U.S. high-level radioactive waste program and related 
legislation.
    F. Meeting with NRC's Director, Division of Waste Management, 
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards--The Committee will 
meet with the Director to discuss recent developments within the 
division such as developments at the Yucca Mountain project, rules and 
guidance under development, available resources, and other items of 
mutual interest.
    G. Prepare for the Next Meeting with the Commission--The Committee 
will begin preparations for its next public meeting with the 
Commission. Specific topics for discussion will be finalized and 
reviewed.
    H. Committee Activities/Future Agenda--The Committee will consider 
topics proposed for future consideration by the full Committee and 
Working Groups. The Committee will discuss ACNW-related activities of 
individual members.
    I. Miscellaneous--The Committee will discuss miscellaneous matters 
related to the conduct of Committee activities and organizational 
activities and complete discussion of matters and specific issues that 
were not completed during previous meetings, as time and availability 
of information permit.
    Procedures for the conduct of and participation in ACNW meetings 
were published in the Federal Register on September 29, 1998 (63 FR 
51967). In accordance with these procedures, oral or written statements 
may be presented by members of the public, electronic recordings will 
be permitted only during those portions of the meeting that are open to 
the public, and questions may be asked only by members of the 
Committee, its consultants, and staff. Persons desiring to make oral 
statements should notify the Chief, Nuclear Waste Branch, Mr. Richard 
K. Major, as far in advance as practicable so that appropriate 
arrangements can be made to schedule the necessary time during the 
meeting for such statements. Use of still, motion picture, and 
television cameras during this meeting will be limited to selected 
portions of the meeting as determined by the ACNW Chairman. Information 
regarding the time to be set aside for taking pictures may be obtained 
by contacting the Chief, Nuclear Waste Branch, prior to the meeting. In 
view of the possibility that the schedule for ACNW meetings may be 
adjusted by the Chairman as necessary to facilitate the conduct of the 
meeting, persons planning to attend should notify Mr. Major as to their 
particular needs.
    Further information regarding topics to be discussed, whether the 
meeting has been canceled or rescheduled, the Chairman's ruling on 
requests for the opportunity to present oral statements and the time 
allotted therefor can be obtained by contacting Mr. Richard K. Major, 
Chief, Nuclear Waste Branch (telephone 301/415-7366), between 8:00 A.M. 
and 5:00 P.M. EST.
    ACNW meeting notices, meeting transcripts, and letter reports are 
now available for downloading or reviewing on the internet at http://
www.nrc.gov/ACRSACNW.

    Dated: January 20, 1999.
Andrew L. Bates,
Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-1707 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P