[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 79 (Friday, April 23, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 21978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9226]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 79 / Friday, April 23, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 21978]]



NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 71


Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material; 
Solicitation of Proposed Changes

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Solicitation of proposed changes.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the U.S. 
Department of Transportation (DOT) are jointly seeking proposed changes 
to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the 
Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (referred to as TS-R-1). The 
proposed changes that are submitted by the U.S. and other IAEA member 
states and International Organizations might necessitate subsequent 
domestic compatibility rulemakings by both the NRC and the DOT.

DATES: Proposed changes will be accepted until June 7, 2004. Proposed 
changes received after this date will be considered if it is practical 
to do so, but the NRC is able to assure consideration only for proposed 
changes received on or before this date.

ADDRESSES: Mail proposed changes to Michael Lesar, Chief, Rules and 
Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of 
Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001.
    Hand deliver proposed changes to Two White Flint North, 11545 
Rockville Pike (Mail Stop T6D59), Rockville, Maryland 20852, between 
7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Cook, Office of Nuclear Materials 
Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 
DC 20555-0001, telephone: (301) 415-8521; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The IAEA periodically revises its Regulations for the Safe 
Transport of Radioactive Material (TS-R-1) to reflect new information 
and accumulated experience. The DOT is the U.S. competent authority 
before the IAEA for radioactive material transportation matters. The 
NRC provides technical support to the DOT in this regard, particularly 
with regard to Type B and fissile packages.
    The IAEA has recently initiated the review cycle for the 2007 
edition of TS-R-1. The IAEA's review process calls for Member States 
and International Organizations to provide proposed changes to the IAEA 
by July 15, 2004. The objective is publication of revised regulations 
in 2007, nominally to become effective worldwide in 2009. To assure 
opportunity for public involvement in the international regulatory 
development process, the DOT and the NRC are soliciting proposed 
changes at this time. This information will assist the DOT and the NRC 
in having a full range of views as the agencies develop the proposed 
changes the U.S. will submit to the IAEA.
    Proposed changes must be submitted in writing (electronic file on 
disk in Word format preferred) and are to include:

 Name;
 Address;
 Telephone no.;
 Fax no.;
 E-mail address;
 Objective of change/regulatory problem (e.g., a 
description of the problem being addressed and its consequences);
 Justification for change (e.g., the proposed change 
maintains safety in transport, is risk-informed, and is effective and 
efficient (e.g., does not impose an undue burden on shippers or 
carriers));
 TS-R-1 paragraphs affected (existing text, and 
proposed new text);
 Modification of or additional guidance material 
(existing text, and proposed new text); and
 Reference(s) and/or reference material as needed.

    The NRC and the DOT will review the proposed changes and rationales 
received by June 7, 2004. Based in part on the information, the 
agencies will determine the U.S. proposed changes to be submitted to 
IAEA by July 15, 2004.
    Proposed changes from all Member States and International 
Organizations will be considered at an IAEA Review Panel Meeting to be 
convened by IAEA on September 27--October 1, 2004, in Vienna, Austria. 
Prior to that meeting, the DOT and the NRC anticipate holding a public 
meeting to solicit comment on all (including U.S.) proposed changes 
submitted to the IAEA. Note that future domestic rulemakings, if 
necessary, will continue to follow established rulemaking procedures, 
including the opportunity to formally comment on proposed rules.

    Dated in Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of April, 2004.
    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John R. Cook,
Senior Transportation Safety Scientist, Office of Nuclear Material 
Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 04-9226 Filed 4-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P