05-2136. In the Matter of Soil Consultants, Inc., ATTN: Mr. Joseph W. Dixon, President, 9303 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110-5547; Order Imposing Civil Monetary Penalty

I

Soil Consultants, Inc. (Licensee) is the holder of Materials License No. 45-15200-04 issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) on October 6, 2004, Amendment No. 03. The license authorizes the Licensee to use sealed source(s) contained in portable gauging devices (registered pursuant to 10 CFR 32.320 or equivalent Agreement State regulation) for measuring properties of materials in accordance with the conditions specified therein.

II

An investigation of the Licensee's activities was completed on February 11, 2004. The results of this investigation and the NRC's further consideration of this matter, including a predecisional enforcement conference held with you on August 12, 2004, indicated that the Licensee had not conducted its activities in full compliance with NRC requirements. A written Notice of Violation and Proposed Imposition of Civil Penalty (Notice) was served upon the Licensee by letter dated October 6, 2004. The Notice states the nature of violation, the provision of the NRC's requirements that the Licensee had violated, and the amount of the civil penalty proposed for the violation.

The licensee responded to the Notice in letters dated November 5, 2004, and December 2, 2004. In its response, the Licensee denied a violation occurred.

III

After consideration of the Licensee's response and the statements of fact, explanation, and argument for mitigation contained therein, the NRC staff has determined, as set forth in the Appendix to this Order, that the violation occurred as stated and that the penalty proposed for the violation designated in the Notice should be imposed.

IV

In view of the foregoing and pursuant to Section 234 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (Act), 42 U.S.C. 2282 and 10 CFR 2.205, it is herby ordered that:

The Licensee pay a civil penalty in the amount of $9,600 within 30 days of the date of this Order, in accordance with NUREG/BR-0254. In addition, at the time of making payment, the licensee shall submit a statement indicating when, and by what method, payment was made, to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738.

V

The Licensee may request a hearing within 30 days of the date of this Order. Where good cause is shown, such as requesting to engage in alternative dispute resolution, consideration will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for extension of time must be made in writing to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and include a statement of good cause for the extension. A request for a hearing should be clearly marked as a “Request for an Enforcement Hearing” and shall be submitted to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff, Washington, DC 20555. Copies also shall be sent to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, to the Assistant General Counsel for Materials Litigation and Enforcement at the same address, and to the Regional Administrator, NRC Region I, 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406-1415. Because of continuing disruption in delivery of mail to United States Government offices, it is requested that requests for hearings be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commission either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-1101 or by e-mail to [e-mail] and also to the Office of the General Counsel either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-3725 or by e-mail to [e-mail].

If a hearing is requested, the Commission will issue an Order designating the time and place of the hearing. If the Licensee fails to request a hearing within 30 days of the date of this Order (or if written approval of an extension of time in which to request a hearing has not been granted), the provisions of this Order shall be effective without further proceedings. If payment has not been made by that time, the matter may be referred to the Attorney General for collection.

In the event that the Licensee requests a hearing as provided above, the issues to be considered at such hearing shall be:

(a) Whether the Licensee was in violation of the Commission's requirements as set forth in the Notice referred to in Section II above, and

(b) Whether, on the basis of such violation, this Order should be sustained.

Dated this 27th day of January 2005.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Frank J. Congel,

Director, Office of Enforcement.