[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 46456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22028]



[[Page 46456]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Availability of Draft NUREGs on Risk Review of Use of Nuclear 
Byproduct Material

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

ACTION: Notice of Availability and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NRC is announcing the availability of, and requesting comment 
on, three draft documents: NUREG/CR-6642, ``Risk Analysis and 
Evaluation of Regulatory Options for Nuclear Byproduct Material 
Systems;'' NUREG-1711, ``Nuclear Byproduct Material Risk Review: 
Regulatory and Other Bases for Barriers to Dose;'' and NUREG-1712, 
``Nuclear Byproduct Material Risk Review: Results of Survey of NRC and 
Agreement State Materials Licensing and Inspection Personnel,'' all 
dated July 1999.
    NRC recognizes that, in order to accomplish its principal mission 
in an efficient and cost-effective manner, it has to focus on those 
regulated activities that pose the greatest risk to the public. The 
nuclear byproduct material risk review is one of several staff actions 
to address the issue. The intent is to develop a clearly understood 
technical basis for determining whether and what risk-informed 
adjustments can be made to the regulation of nuclear byproduct 
material. Nuclear byproduct material is defined in section 11.e(1) of 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and Title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (10 CFR), Sec. 30.4. Regulation of this material is 
addressed in 10 CFR parts 30 through 36 and 39. The three draft 
documents that are the subject of this notice have been developed as 
part of the risk review. NUREG/CR-6642 presents a detailed, comparative 
risk analysis of nuclear byproduct materials, organized into groups of 
activities or ``systems'' (e.g., medical diagnostic devices, nuclear 
pharmacy, pool irradiators); describes the methodology used in the risk 
analysis; and provides the results of the analyses through the date of 
publication. NUREG-1711 is a compilation of existing barriers (defined 
as those physical and/or procedural controls designed to limit worker 
and public radiation doses) and the currently instituted support for 
those barriers (e.g., regulations, license conditions, good practices). 
NUREG-1712 summarizes the responses to a survey of NRC and Agreement 
State materials licensing and inspection personnel regarding risks 
associated with the use of nuclear byproduct material.
    These documents are for public comment and do not communicate NRC 
positions on how any particular nuclear byproduct material system may 
be regulated in the future. The documents are being distributed for 
comment to encourage public participation in developing accurate 
information that will be used in assessing risks associated with use of 
nuclear byproduct material. The documents will be finalized using the 
public comments received.

DATES: The comment period ends October 25, 1999. Comments received 
after that time will be considered if practicable.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives 
Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Hand-
deliver comments to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 
7:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Federal workdays. Comments may also be 
submitted through the Internet by addressing electronic mail to 
[email protected].

    Those considering public comment may request a free single copy of 
draft NUREG/CR-6642, draft NUREG-1711, and/or draft NUREG-1712 by 
writing to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Dr. Dennis 
Serig, Mail Stop TWFN 8-F-5, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Alternatively, 
submit requests through the Internet by addressing electronic mail to 
[email protected]. Single copies of draft NUREG/CR-6642, draft NUREG-1711, 
and draft NUREG-1712 are also available for inspection and/or copying 
for a fee in the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW. (Lower 
Level), Washington, DC 20555-0001.
    The Presidential Memorandum dated June 1, 1998, entitled, ``Plain 
Language in Government Writing,'' directed that the Federal 
government's writing be in plain language. NRC requests comments 
specifically with respect to the clarity and effectiveness of the 
language used in these documents. These comments should also be sent to 
the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Dennis Serig, Mail Stop TWFN 8-F-
5, Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 415-7901; e-mail: [email protected].
Electronic Access
    Draft NUREG/CR-6642 and NUREG-1711 and 1712 are available 
electronically by visiting NRC's Home Page (http://www.nrc.gov/nrc/
nucmat.html).

    Dated at Rockville, MD, this 6th day of August, 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Donald A. Cool,
Director, Division of Industrial and Medical Nuclear Safety, NMSS.
[FR Doc. 99-22028 Filed 8-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P