[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 44 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11071-11072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5592]


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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 108th 
meeting on March 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, March 23, 1999--8:30 A.M. until 6:00 P.M.
    Wednesday, March 24, 1999--8:30 A.M. until 6:00 P.M.
    Thursday, March 25, 1999--8:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.
    The following topics will be discussed:

A. 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, low levels of ionizing radiation and other topics 
discussed during this and previous meetings as the need arises.

B. Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation

    The Committee will conduct a day and a half Working Group Meeting 
on the radiation effects from low-level ionizing radiation, 
specifically as related to the Linear Non-Threshold Dose Response 
Theory (LNT). This is a follow-on to several Committee meetings held 
over the past three years on this particular subject. Speakers will 
discuss various studies underway (or completed) as well as past advice 
related to this topic. Each speaker has been requested to identify 
suggestions for research, from their perspective, which would fill gaps 
in the current regulatory base. These periodic updates and overviews of 
research permit the Committee to continue to provide relevant advice to 
the Commission on this important topic. Among those invited to present 
related national and international perspectives are: representatives of 
the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), 
the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Academy of Sciences Board 
of Radiation Effects Research, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the 
International Committee on Radiation Protection (ICRP), the University 
of Massachusetts, and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).

[[Page 11072]]

Following the presentations, a panel discussion will be held which will 
involve the participation of many of the presenters, plus invitees from 
the Environmental Protection Agency and interested Congressional staff.

C. 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.

D. Clearance Rule

    The Committee will review progress on the development of a 
Clearance Rule for materials and equipment having residual 
radioactivity. The potential rulemaking is intended to focus on levels 
above background for unrestricted use that are adequately protective of 
public health and safety.

E. Decommissioning Standard Review Plan (SRP)

    The Committee will be briefed on the Decommissioning SRP by the NRC 
staff. The SRP is being developed to enable the NRC staff to evaluate 
information, submitted by licensees, in a timely, efficient and 
consistent manner to determine if the decommissioning can be conducted 
such that public health and safety are protected and the facility can 
be released in accordance with the NRC's requirements.

F. 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.

G. 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.
    Video teleconferencing service is available for observing open 
sessions of ACNW meetings. Those wishing to use this service for 
observing ACNW meetings should contact Mr. Theron Brown, ACNW Audio 
Visual Technician (301-415-8066), between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. EST 
at least 10 days before the meeting to ensure the availability of this 
service. Individuals or organizations requesting this service will be 
responsible for telephone line charges and for providing the equipment 
facilities that they use to establish the video teleconferencing link. 
The availability of video teleconferencing services is not guaranteed.

    Dated: March 2, 1999.
Andrew L. Bates,
Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-5592 Filed 3-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P