[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70294-70295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32641]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 040-08838]


Notice of Consideration of Amendment Request for U.S. Army 
Jefferson Proving Ground Site in Madison, Indiana, and Opportunity for 
a Hearing

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
issuance of a license amendment to Materials License No. SUB-1435 
issued to the U.S. Army (licensee), to authorize decommissioning of its 
Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) site in Madison, Indiana.
    From 1941 to 1994, the licensee conducted ordnance testing on the 
JPG site, and fired more than 24 million rounds of conventional 
explosive. From 1984 to 1994, the licensee conducted accuracy testing 
of depleted uranium (DU) tank penetrator rounds at the site. An NRC 
license was issued to authorize the U.S. Army to use, store, and 
perform testing of DU munitions at JPG. The DU penetrator rounds vary 
in size but can be generally described as rods comprised of a DU 
titanium alloy with a diameter of approximately 2.5 centimeters (cm) (1 
inch) and a length as much as 61 cm (2 feet). The DU munitions testing 
contaminated approximately 5.1  x  106 square meters 
(m2) (1260 acres) of the site with an estimated 7  x  
104 kilograms (1.5  x  105 pounds) of DU. In 
accordance with the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base 
Realignment and Closure Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-526), the licensee 
was required to close the JPG base on September 30, 1995. Currently, 
the licensed material is kept onsite in the restricted area known as 
the ``Depleted Uranium Impact Area.'' This area under Materials License 
No. SUB-1435 is located north of the firing line, and consists of 
approximately 12  x  106 m2 (3,000 acres).
    An NRC administrative review, documented in a letter to the 
licensee dated November 16, 1999, found the site decommissioning plan 
(SDP) acceptable to begin a technical review. The SDP requested 
restricted release of the JPG site in accordance to Sec. 20.1403. If 
the NRC approves the SDP, the approval will be documented in an 
amendment to NRC License No. SUB-1435. However, before approving the 
proposed amendment, the NRC will need to make the findings required by 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and NRC's regulations. These 
findings will be documented in a Safety Evaluation Report and an 
Environmental Assessment.
    NRC hereby provides notice that this is a proceeding on an 
application for an amendment of a license falling within the scope of 
Subpart L, ``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials 
Licensing Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules of practice for domestic 
licensing proceedings in 10 CFR part 2. Pursuant to Sec. 2.1205(a), any 
person whose interest may be affected by this proceeding may file a 
request for a hearing in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(d). A request for 
a hearing must be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of 
publication of this Federal Register notice.
    The request for a hearing must be filed with the Office of the 
Secretary either:
    1. By delivery to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738, 
between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm, Federal workdays; or
    2. By mail or facsimile addressed to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Attention: 
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
    In accordance with 10 CFR Sec. 2.1205(f), each request for a 
hearing must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, 
to:
    1. The applicant, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, 314 Longs 
Corner Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5055, Attention: Mr. Dal 
M. Nett; and
    2. The NRC staff, by delivery to the Executive Director for 
Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, One White Flint North, 
11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738, between 7:45 am and 
4:15 pm, Federal workdays, or by mail, addressed to the Executive 
Director for Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001.
    In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR part 
2 of NRC's regulations, a request for a hearing filed by a person other 
than an applicant must describe in detail:
    1. The interest of the requester in the proceeding;
    2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the 
proceeding, including the reasons why the requester

[[Page 70295]]

should be permitted a hearing, with particular reference to the factors 
set out in Sec. 2.1205(h);
    3. The requester's areas of concern about the licensing activity 
that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and
    4. The circumstance establishing that the request for a hearing is 
timely in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(d).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The SDP and supporting documentation 
are available for inspection at NRC's Public Document Room, 2120 L 
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and at NRC's Public Electronic 
Reading Room on the NRC web site at http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/
index.html. Questions with respect to this action should be referred to 
Ms. Sherry W. Lewis, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste 
Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Telephone: 
(301) 415-6619. Fax: (301) 415-5398.

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

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Larry B. Bell,
Acting Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management, 
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 99-32641 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am]
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