[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29212-29213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13653]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 2

RIN 3150-AG27


Formal and Informal Adjudicatory Hearing Procedures; 
Clarification of Eligibility To Participate

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its 
regulations governing participation in adjudicatory proceedings 
conducted under its Rules of Practice to clarify that Federally-
recognized Indian tribal governments are entitled to participate in 
these proceedings on the same basis as other governmental units.

DATES: The final rule is effective August 2, 1999, unless significant 
adverse comments are received by July 1, 1999. If significant adverse 
comments are received, a timely withdrawal will be published in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Mail any comments to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, Attention: Rulemakings and 
Adjudications Staff.
    Hand deliver comments to 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, 
20852, between 7:30 am and 4:15 Eastern time on Federal workdays.
    You may also provide comments via the NRC's interactive rulemaking 
website through the NRC home page (http://www.nrc.gov). This site 
provides the availability to upload comments as files (any format) if 
your web browser supports that function. For information about the 
NRC's interactive rulemaking website, contact Ms. Carol Gallagher, 
(301) 415-5905; email [email protected].
    Copies of any comments received may be examined at the NRC Public 
Document Room, 2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles E. Mullins, Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001; telephone (301) 415-1606; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because the NRC considers this action 
noncontroversial and routine, the NRC is publishing the rule in final 
form without first seeking public comments on the amendments in a 
proposed rule. This action will become effective on August 2, 1999. 
However, if the NRC receives significant adverse comments by July 1, 
1999, the NRC will publish a document that withdraws this action 
pending review of the comments, and will address those comments in a 
subsequent final rule. The NRC will not initiate a second comment 
period on this action.

Background

    These amendments are intended to ensure that Federally-recognized 
Indian Tribal governments and their official subdivisions have the same 
participation rights in NRC adjudicatory proceedings as State 
governments, units of local governments, and their official 
subdivisions. In many respects, Federally-recognized Indian tribes 
exercise inherent sovereign powers over their members and territory, 
similar to the powers exercised by States and other units of local 
government. In many areas of the law, these sovereign rights are 
recognized either by court decision, statute, or treaty. Therefore, 
because these tribes exercise many of the attributes of States or other 
governmental units, the Commission has determined that they should be 
recognized in adjudicatory proceedings in the same fashion as State and 
local governmental bodies. Accordingly, the Commission is issuing this 
amendment to ensure that Federally-recognized Indian tribes will have 
the same opportunity to participate in any proceeding that affects 
their interests. These amendments are intended to meet the goals of 
Executive Order No. 13084 of May 14, 1998.
    In addition, the Commission is also making two minor editorial 
changes in Sec. 2.1211(b) to conform its wording to the wording in 
Sec. 2.715(c).

Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

    The NRC has determined that this final rule is the type of action 
described in categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(1). Therefore, 
neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental 
assessment has been prepared for this final regulation.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    This final rule contains no information collection requirements 
and, therefore, is not subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Regulatory Analysis

    A regulatory analysis has not been prepared for this direct final 
rule because this rule is considered a minor, non-substantive 
amendment; it has no economic impact on NRC licensees or the public.

Regulatory Flexibility Certification

    As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), the Commission certifies that this rule does not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This rulemaking is an administrative action that clarifies the rights 
of Federally-recognized Indian tribes to participate in NRC 
adjudicatory proceedings. It has no financial impact on NRC licensees 
or the public.

Backfit Analysis

    The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does 
not apply to this final rule and, therefore, that a backfit analysis is 
not required for this final rule because these amendments do not impose 
any provisions that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR 50.109.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    In accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, the NRC has determined that this action is not a 
major rule and has verified this determination with the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 2

    Administrative practice and procedure, Antitrust, Byproduct 
material, Classified information, Environmental protection, Nuclear 
materials, Nuclear power plants and reactors, Penalties, Sex 
discrimination, Source material, Special nuclear material, Waste 
treatment and disposal.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of 
the Atomic Energy Act, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of 
1974, as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553, the NRC is adopting the 
following amendments to 10 CFR Part 2.

[[Page 29213]]

PART 2--RULES OF PRACTICE FOR DOMESTIC LICENSING PROCEEDINGS

    1. The authority citation for Part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 161, 181, 68 Stat. 948, 953, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 2201, 2231); sec. 191, as amended, Pub. L. 87-615, 76 Stat. 
409 (42 U.S.C. 2241); sec. 201, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
5841); 5 U.S.C. 552.
    Section 2.101 also issued under secs. 53, 62, 63, 81, 103, 104, 
105, 68 Stat. 930, 932, 933, 935, 936, 937, 938, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 2073, 2092, 2093, 2111, 2133, 2134, 2135); sec. 114 (f); Pub. 
L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2213, as amended (42 U.S.C. 10143 (f)); sec. 
102, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 853, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4332); sec. 
301, 88 Stat. 1248 (42 U.S.C. 5871). Section 2.102, 2.103, 2.104, 
2.105, 2.721 also issued under secs. 102, 103, 104, 105, 183i, 189, 
68 Stat. 936, 937, 938, 954, 955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2132, 2133, 
2134, 2135, 2233, 2239). Section 2.105 also issued under Pub. L. 97-
415, 96 Stat. 2073 (42 U.S.C. 2239). Sections 2.200-2.206 also 
issued under secs. 161 b, i, o, 182, 186, 234, 68 Stat. 948-951, 
955, 83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2201 (b), (i), (o), 2236, 
2282); sec. 206, 88 Stat 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5846). Sections 2.205 (j) 
also issued under Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 90, as amended by 
section 3100 (s), Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321-373 (28 U.S.C. 
2461 note). Section 2.600-2.606 also issued under sec. 102, Pub. L. 
91-190, 83 Stat. 853, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4332). Section 2.700a, 
2.719 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 554. Sections 2.754, 2.760, 2.770, 
2.780 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 557. Section 2.764 also issued 
under secs. 135, 141, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2232, 2241 (42 U.S.C. 
10155, 10161). Section 2.790 also issued under sec. 103, 68 Stat. 
936, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2133) and 5 U.S.C. 552. Sections 2.800 
and 2.808 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553, Section 2.809 also issued 
under 5 U.S.C. 553, and sec. 29, Pub. L. 85-256, 71 Stat. 579, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 2039). Subpart K also issued under sec. 189, 68 
Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2239); sec. 134, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2230 
(42 U.S.C. 10154). Subpart L also issued under sec. 189, 68 Stat. 
955 (42 U.S.C. 2239). Subpart M also issued under sec. 184 (42 
U.S.C. 2234) and sec. 189, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2239). Appendix A 
also issued under sec. 6, Pub. L. 91-560, 84 Stat. 1473 (42 U.S.C. 
2135).

    2. In Sec. 2.715, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 2.715  Participation by a person not a party.

* * * * *
    (c) The presiding officer will afford representatives of an 
interested State, county, municipality, Federally-recognized Indian 
Tribe, and/or agencies thereof, a reasonable opportunity to participate 
and to introduce evidence, interrogate witnesses, and advise the 
Commission without requiring the representative to take a position with 
respect to the issue. Such participants may also file proposed findings 
and exceptions pursuant to Secs. 2.754 and 2.762 and petitions for 
review by the Commission pursuant to Sec. 2.786. The presiding officer 
may require such representative to indicate with reasonable 
specificity, in advance of the hearing, the subject matters on which he 
desires to participate.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 2.1211, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 2.1211  Participation by a person not a party.

* * * * *
    (b) Within 30 days of an order granting a request for a hearing 
under Sec. 2.1205 (b) through (d) or, in instances when it is 
published, within 30 days of notice of hearing issued under 
Sec. 2.1205(j), the representative of an interested State, county, 
municipality, Federally-recognized Indian Tribe, and/or agencies 
thereof, may request an opportunity to participate in a proceeding 
under this subpart. The request for an opportunity to participate must 
state with reasonable specificity the requester's area of concern about 
the licensing activity that is the subject matter of the proceeding. 
Upon receipt of a request that is filed in accordance with these time 
limits and that specifies the requester's areas of concern, the 
presiding officer shall afford the requester a reasonable opportunity 
to make written and oral presentations in accordance with Secs. 2.1233 
and 2.1235, without requiring the representative to take a position 
with respect to the issues. Participants under this paragraph may 
notice an appeal of an initial decision in accordance with Sec. 2.1253 
with respect to any issue on which they participate.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of May, 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-13653 Filed 5-28-99; 8:45 am]
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