[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34387-34388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13903]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket No. FEMA-REP-10-WA-1]


Washington Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans for the 
Columbia Generating Station

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Emergency 
Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Finding and Determination.

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SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of approval of the State of Washington and 
local Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans specific 
to the Columbia Generating Station site.

DATES: This certification and approval are effective as of April 28, 
2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regional Director, FEMA Region X, 130 
228th Street, SW., Bothell, WA 98021-9796. Please refer to Docket No. 
FEMA-REP-10-WA-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) regulations, 44 CFR part 350, the State of 
Washington originally submitted the Emergency Response and Preparedness 
Plans specific to the Columbia Generating Station site, located in 
Benton County, Washington, to the Regional Director of FEMA Region X 
for review and approval on June 12, 2002. During the review of the 
site-specific offsite Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response 
Plans, the FEMA Region X Regional Assistance Committee identified 
several planning issues which required correction prior to a 
recommendation of formal plan approval under 44 CFR part 350. During 
the FEMA Headquarters review process, several issues were identified 
which were referred back to FEMA Region X for clarification. 
Subsequently, on January 23, 2004, the FEMA Region X Director forwarded 
his evaluation of the offsite Radiological Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Plans and a recommendation for formal approval, in accordance 
with Section 350.11 of FEMA's regulations. Included in this evaluation 
was a review of the Columbia Generating Station's offsite radiological 
emergency preparedness exercise conducted September 17-18, 2003, in 
accordance with 44 CFR 350.9 of FEMA regulations, and a report of the 
Public Meeting conducted on September 15, 2000, in accordance with 44 
CFR 350.10 of FEMA's regulations.
    Based on the evaluation and recommendation for approval by the FEMA 
Region X Director and the review by the headquarters staff, in 
accordance with 44 CFR 350.12 of FEMA's regulations, I find and 
determine that the State of Washington and local Radiological Emergency 
Preparedness and Response Plans specific to the Columbia Generating 
Station site are adequate to protect the health and safety of the 
public living in the vicinity of the site by providing reasonable 
assurance that appropriate protective measures can be taken offsite in 
the event of a radiological emergency and that the plans are capable of 
being implemented.
    On June 17, 1994, FEMA previously approved the prompt alert and 
notification system installed and

[[Page 34388]]

operational around the Columbia Generating Station, in accordance with 
the criteria of NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1, Appendix 3, and FEMA-
REP-10, ``Guide for The Evaluation of Alert and Notification Systems 
for Nuclear Power Plants.'' FEMA will continue to review the status of 
the offsite Radiological Emergency Response and Preparedness Plans 
specific to the Columbia Generating Station site in accordance with 44 
CFR 350.13 of FEMA's regulations.

    Dated: June 14, 2004.
Michael D. Brown,
Under Secretary, Emergency Preparedness & Response, Department of 
Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 04-13903 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
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