[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50116-50117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24058]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Memorandum of Understanding Between the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission and the National Science Foundation

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Memorandum of Understanding Between the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission and the National Science Foundation.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National 
Science Foundation (NSF) have entered into a Memorandum of 
Understanding (MOU) to ensure the protection of the public health and 
safety and the environment from the hazards of radioactive materials 
that may be used in Antarctica pursuant to the Antarctic Treaty, the 
Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, and the 
Antarctic Conservation Act. The MOU is intended to clarify the 
responsibilities of the NSF and the NRC with respect to the safe use of 
radioactive materials in Antarctica to avoid any duplication of effort 
and ensure efficient management of those materials. The text of the MOU 
between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Science 
Foundation follows.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Trip Rothschild, Office of the General 
Counsel, telephone (301) 415-1611, e-mail [email protected].

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of September 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
David L. Meyer,
Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative 
Services, Office of Administration.

Memorandum of Understanding Between the National Science Foundation 
and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Concerning the Management of 
Radioactive Material in Antarctica

I. Introduction

    This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) describes the 
responsibilities of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in ensuring the protection of the 
public health and safety and the environment from the hazards of 
radioactive materials that may be used in Antarctica pursuant to the 
Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the 
Antarctic Treaty, and the Antarctic Conservation Act.

II. Purpose and Scope

    The purpose of this MOU is to clarify the responsibilities of the 
NSF and the NRC with respect to the safe use of radioactive materials 
in Antarctica in order to avoid any duplication of effort and ensure 
efficient management of those materials. Radioactive materials within 
the scope of this MOU mean byproduct, source, and special nuclear 
materials as defined in Sections 11e., 11z., and 11aa. of the Atomic 
Energy Act of 1954 (``AEA''), as amended, and the NRC's regulations 
thereunder. Antarctica is defined as that area of the world south of 
60 deg. South latitude, as described in the International Antarctic 
Treaty (1959) and the Antarctic Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 2401 et 
seq.)

III. Authority and Regulatory Program

A. NSF

    Presidential Memorandum #6646, dated February 2, 1982, designates 
NSF as the executive Federal manager for the United States Antarctic 
Program, assigning the entire management responsibility to the NSF. The 
Antarctic Conservation Act (ACA) of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2401 et 
seq.) implements the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental 
Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and recognizes NSF as the lead 
civilian agency with responsibility for overseeing United States 
scientific activities in Antarctica. These include activities involving 
the use of source, byproduct, and special nuclear material. Under the 
ACA, NSF is directed to issue regulations as are necessary and 
appropriate to implement the Treaty, the Protocol and the ACA, 
including its waste management and disposal requirements. NSF requires 
U.S. citizens to obtain an NSF permit for the use of certain materials 
in Antarctica, including radioactive materials, in accordance with 
NSF's implementing regulations at 45 CFR Part 671. Within its 
regulatory framework, the NSF has adopted as policy the radiation 
protection standards for byproduct, source, and special nuclear 
material set forth in the NRC regulations at 10 CFR Part 20 and the 
Department of Transportation regulations for packaging and transport of 
such radioactive materials; and it ensures that the disposal of 
radioactive waste generated in Antarctica (but returned to the U.S. for 
disposal) is consistent with NRC, EPA and Agreement State requirements. 
NSF's ``authorized user'' review/approval process includes protocol 
review, certification of training, utilization of appropriate standard 
operating procedures/facilities, waste management procedures, and 
periodic surveys and inventory control of radioactive material. The NSF 
will continue to ensure that any use of source, byproduct, and special 
nuclear materials within the NSF's jurisdiction in Antarctica requires 
the NSF's authorization through the issuance of permits or other 
approvals.

B. NRC

    Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (AEA) as amended, the NRC is 
responsible for regulating the use of byproduct, source, and special 
nuclear material within the United States and its territories, 
consistent with its mission to ensure adequate protection of the public 
health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to 
protect the environment. This MOU reflects the understanding of both 
parties that the NRC will not exercise any authority under the AEA to 
regulate the use of byproduct, source, or special nuclear material in 
Antarctica and recognizes the NSF's regulatory oversight, as described 
in 45 CFR Part 671 and Foundation policies. The NRC or its Agreement 
States, as appropriate, will resume regulatory authority over any 
byproduct, source, or special nuclear material that is regulated by the

[[Page 50117]]

NSF in Antarctica if and when such material re-enters the United States 
or its territories.

IV. Agency Responsibilities

    The following are the offices responsible for this agreement:

    For the National Science Foundation: Director, Office of Polar 
Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230
    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Director, Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555

    Each agency shall designate the agency organizational unit 
responsible for the coordination and management of activities covered 
by this MOU. Each agency shall designate the individual(s) who will 
serve as the respective coordination officer(s) or point(s) of contact 
(POC). The coordination officers or POCs will coordinate and facilitate 
actions required by their respective agencies.

V. Elements of Coordination

    Both agencies agree to exchange information with respect to 
relevant programs and lessons learned, resources permitting. The 
purpose of these exchanges is to provide expert technical assistance to 
both agencies. The NSF may send designated individuals to NRC-sponsored 
training, on a space-available basis, so that NSF staff is familiar 
with the NRC programs and its regulatory interpretations. As 
appropriate and necessary, the NSF may consult with the NRC for 
guidance regarding the interpretation or application of the NRC's 
regulations.

VI. Other Laws and Matters

    Nothing in this MOU shall be deemed to restrict, modify, or 
otherwise limit the application or enforcement of any laws of the 
United States with respect to matters specified herein, nor shall 
anything in the MOU be construed as modifying the existing authority of 
either agency.

VII. Effective Date, Modification, and Termination of MOU

    This MOU will take effect when it has been signed and dated by the 
authorized representatives of the NSF and the NRC. It may be modified 
by mutual written consent, or terminated by either agency upon 60 days 
advance written notice to the other agency.

    Approved and accepted for the National Science Foundation
    Date: August 30, 1999.
    By:
Karl A. Erb
Director, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, Tel: (703) 306-1030
    By:
William A. Bryant
Contracting Officer, Division of Contracts, Policy and Oversight, 
Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management, National Science 
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230
    Approved and accepted for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
    By:
Carl J. Paperiello
Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, Tel: (301) 415-
7357

[FR Doc. 99-24058 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M