[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 615]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-230]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 040-08794]


Notice of Consideration of Amendment Request for Molycorp, Inc., 
York, PA, Site and Opportunity for a Hearing

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
issuance of a license amendment to Source Materials License SMB-1408 
issued to Molycorp, Inc., (Molycorp), to defer the second round of 
sampling groundwater monitoring wells in 2001 at the Molycorp, York, 
PA, site until the completion of its decommissioning activities in 
2002. Molycorp's license requires that samples are to be drawn from 
designated wells biannually. One round of groundwater sampling results 
was submitted to NRC in March 2001, with the reported data below levels 
of concern. Molycorp then plugged and abandoned all existing 
groundwater wells on site in order to proceed with decommissioning. Due 
to the increased volume of contaminated soil encountered during the 
decommissioning of the York facility, and the extension of 
decommissioning activities, Molycorp will not be able to reinstall and 
sample the monitoring wells in 2001. Prior to installing the new wells, 
Molycorp has committed to confer with both NRC and the Pennsylvania 
Department of Environmental Protection to ensure that the new well 
locations are satisfactory. Molycorp shall install the new wells 
following the completion of decommissioning activities in 2002, and 
will sample the new wells on a biannual basis until its license is 
terminated. Molycorp's request is contained in a letter to NRC dated 
November 19, 2001.
    If the NRC approves this request, the approval will be documented 
in a license amendment to NRC License SMB-1408. 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 ahearing 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 by mail or facsimile (301-415-1101) addressed to: The 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff of the Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Attention: 
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
    In accordance with 10 CFR 2.1205(f), each request for a hearing 
must also be served, by delivering it personally, or by mail, to:
    1. The applicant, Molycorp, Inc., 300 Caldwell Avenue, Washington, 
PA 15301, Attention: George Dawes, and,
    2. The NRC staff, General Counsel, by mail, addressed to the 
General Counsel, 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 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 application for the license 
amendment and supporting documentation are available for inspection at 
NRC's Public Electronic Reading Room at http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/index.html. Any questions with respect to this action should be 
referred to Tom McLaughlin, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste 
Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
    Telephone: (301) 415-5869. Fax: (301) 415-5398.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of December 2001.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
 Tom McLaughlin,
 Project Manager, Facilities Decommissioning Section, Decommissioning 
Branch, Division of Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety 
and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 02-230 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
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