[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12517-12518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6509]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 30-5337]
Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact of American Cyanamid
Request for Field Studies Utilizing Carbon-14
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the
potential environmental impact related to the request by American
Cyanamid to test substances labeled with Carbon-14 (C-14) by applying
such substances to crops grown on a small experimental plot at its West
Windsor, New Jersey facility.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The American Cyanamid Company,
[[Page 12518]]
Cyanamid Agricultural Research Division (Cyanamid) of Princeton, New
Jersey holds a license issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) for performing research and development using a variety of
radioisotopes in a variety of chemical forms for plant and animal
studies. Cyanamid has requested authorization to test substances
labeled with C-14 by applying such substances to crops grown on a small
plot of land located on its site in West Windsor Township, New Jersey.
The purpose of these studies is to determine the metabolism of and
residue left by agricultural chemicals. These studies are required by
40 CFR Part 158 to support the registration of a pesticide or herbicide
for use on a food or feed crop under U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) requirements.
Cyanamid estimates that the maximum application of C-14 per year
would be 100 millicuries. Each study takes about two years from initial
application to final sampling. Following final sampling, the area is
surveyed to identify residual radioactivity and removal of any
remaining contaminated soil and monitoring of quarterly water samples
from onsite wells for radioactivity. Radioactive soil will be disposed
at a licensed disposal facility. Environmental radiation safety
concerns include exposure of the public due to airborne releases and
drinking contaminated ground water.
Cyanamid utilized a computer code (COMPLY, an EPA computer code for
calculating the dose to individuals due to airborne releases) to assess
radiation dose from release of radioactive material to the air. The
code, using a conservative and unlikely assumption that 20 percent of
the radioactivity applied is released to the air, projected an
effective dose equivalent of 0.035 millirem (mrem)/year to an
individual at the nearest site boundary.
To assess the radiation exposure due to groundwater contamination,
Cyanamid performed dose calculations using the computer code RESRAD (a
computer code developed at Argonne National Laboratory for the U.S.
Department of Energy to calculate site-specific RESidual RADioactive
material guidelines as well as radiation dose to a chronically exposed
resident on a contaminated site). RESRAD calculated a dose of 0.15 mrem
to the maximally exposed individual for the two-year period from
application to remediation. For the period up to 1000 years post
remediation, the maximum annual dose is 3.88 mrem during year one.
NRC has reviewed the assumptions used in the above described codes
and concurs with the reported results. The maximum (year one post-
remediation) dose of 3.88 mrem estimated by Cyanamid is well below the
regulatory limit of 100 mrem per year in 10 CFR 20.1301. Cyanamid has
proposed an adequate monitoring program to ensure that the parameters
used in the calculations are not exceeded.
Opportunity for a Hearing
The NRC hereby provides notice that this is a proceeding on an
application for a license amendment falling within the scope of Subpart
L, ``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials
Licensing Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules and 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 a hearing in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(d). A request for
a hearing must be filed on or before April 13, 1998.
The request for a hearing must be filed with the Office of the
Secretary either:
1. By delivery to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738,
between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm Federal workdays; or
2. By mail or telegram addressed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention:
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR part
2 of the 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 requestor 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).
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, American Cyanamid Company, P.O. Box 400,
Princeton, NJ 08543, Attention: Mr. George W. MacDurmon; and
2. The NRC staff, by delivery to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
20852-2738, between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm Federal workdays, or by mail,
addressed to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
For further details with respect to this action, copies of the EA
and FONSI, as well as supporting documentation, are available for
inspection during normal business hours at the NRC's Region I offices
located at 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406. Telephone:
(610) 337-5069.
For Further Information Contact: John R. McGrath, Senior Health
Physicist, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Region I, 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia,
PA 19406. Telephone: (610) 337-5069.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day of March 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John W.N. Hickey,
Chief, Low-Level Waste and Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of
Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 98-6509 Filed 3-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
