[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58245-58246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19931]


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

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Pilot Program on the Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the 
Enforcement Program; Request for Comments and Announcement of Public 
Meeting

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Request for comments and announcement of public meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The Commission approved a pilot program to evaluate the use of 
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in cases involving the NRC's 
enforcement activities concerning allegations or findings of 
discrimination and other wrongdoing. See SECY-04-0044, available at 
www.nrc.gov. The pilot program was developed to evaluate whether the 
use of ADR could produce more timely and economical resolution of 
issues, more effective outcomes, and improved relationships. The NRC 
staff is now proceeding to evaluate the pilot program after 
approximately 1 year of operation. As an initial step in the 
evaluation, the NRC will be holding a public workshop on October 11, 
2005, from 1-5 p.m., in room T2-B3 (ACRS Conference Room), Two White 
Flint North, 11545 Rockville, Maryland, to discuss proposed evaluation 
criteria and receive comments regarding the pilot program.

DATES: The comment period expires October 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written responses to the topics addressed in the 
``ADR Pilot Program: Proposed Evaluation Criteria'' document included 
on the ADR Web page, as well as other comments pertaining to the ADR 
pilot program, to Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of 
Administrative Services, Office of Administration, Mail Stop T6-D59, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Hand 
deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, between 
7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Federal workdays. Comments may be submitted by 
e-mail to [email protected]. Copies of comments received may be examined 
at the NRC's Public Document Room, located at One White Flint North

[[Page 58246]]

(O1-F21), Rockville, Maryland, 20852-2738.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Hilton, Senior Enforcement 
Specialist, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001, (301) 415-3055, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ``ADR'' is a term that refers to a number of 
processes that can be used in assisting parties in resolving disputes 
and potential conflicts. Most of these processes are voluntary, where 
the parties to the dispute are in control of the decision on whether to 
participate in the process and whether to agree to any resolution of 
the dispute. The parties are assisted in their efforts to reach 
agreement by a neutral third party.
    Proposed evaluation criteria for the pilot program include: (1) 
Program effectiveness, including success of the program in helping 
ensure safety is maintained and settlement rate; (2) program efficiency 
in terms of both timeliness and cost efficiency; and (3) program 
satisfaction, including perceptions of fairness, usefulness, parties' 
satisfaction with outcomes, public perception of the program, and 
interest in using the program after initial program use. In addition, 
the NRC is interested in general comments regarding the pilot program 
and recommendations for a potential future program. The evaluation 
criteria are addressed in a document for comment on the NRC's Web site 
at http://www.nrc.gov, select What We Do, Enforcement, then Alternative 
Dispute Resolution. This document is also available in ADAMS at 
ML052640603.
    After a brief presentation regarding the status of the pilot 
program, the meeting on October 11, 2005, will be conducted as a 
roundtable discussion among participants who have been invited to 
represent the broad spectrum of interests in the areas of allegations 
and enforcement. The participants include representatives from 
whistleblower counsels, the public, and the nuclear industry. The 
meeting is open to the public and all attendees will have an 
opportunity to offer comments and ask questions at selected points 
throughout the meeting. Any questions regarding the roundtable 
discussion should be directed to the meeting facilitator, Francis 
``Chip'' Cameron by phone at 301-415-1642 or e-mail [email protected].

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of September, 2005.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Michael R. Johnson,
Director, Office of Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 05-19931 Filed 10-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P