[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21224-21225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10727]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-139]
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
Regarding Proposed Order Authorizing Dismantling and Disposition of
Component Parts University of Washington
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an order authorizing the University of
Washington (UW) to dismantle their research facility located on the
licensee's campus in Seattle, Washington, and to dispose of the reactor
components in accordance with the application dated August 2,
1994. [[Page 21225]]
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
By application dated August 2, 1994, UW requested authorization to
decontaminate and dismantle the UW research reactor, to dispose of its
component parts in accordance with the proposed decommissioning plan,
and to terminate Facility License No. R-73. The UW research reactor was
shut down in June 1988, and has not operated since then. The reactor
fuel was removed from the facility and shipped to a Department of
Energy (DOE) facility as directed by the DOE in accordance with DOE,
NRC, and Department of Transportation requirements.
Opportunity for a hearing was afforded by a ``Notice of Proposed
Issuance of Orders Authorizing Disposition of Component Parts and
Terminating Facility License'' published in the Federal Register on
September 2, 1994, (59 FR 45738). No request for a hearing or petition
for leave to intervene was filed following notice of the proposed
action.
Need for Proposed Action
In order to prepare the property for unrestricted access and use,
the dismantling and decontamination activities proposed by UW must be
accomplished.
Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action
All decontamination will be performed by trained personnel in
accordance with previously reviewed procedures and will be overseen by
experienced health physics staff. Solid and liquid waste will be
removed from the facility and managed in accordance with NRC
requirements. The UW staff has calculated that the collective dose
equivalent to the UW staff and public for the project will be less than
0.06 person-sievert (6.02 person-rem).
The above conclusions were based on all proposed operations being
carefully planned and controlled, all contaminated components being
removed, packaged, and shipped offsite, and the existence of
radiological control procedures will be in place that will help to
ensure that releases of radioactive wastes from the facility are within
the limits of 10 CFR Part 20 and are as low as reasonably achievable
(ALARA).
Based on the review of the specific proposed activities associated
with the dismantling and decontamination of the UW facility, the staff
has determined that there will be no significant increase in the
amounts of effluents that may be released offsite, and no significant
increase in individual or cumulative occupational or population
radiation exposure.
The staff has also determined that the proposed activities will not
result in any significant impacts on air, water, land, or biota in the
area.
Alternative Use of Resources
The only alternative to the proposed dismantling and
decontamination activities is to maintain possession of the reactor.
This approach would include monitoring and reporting for the duration
of the safe storage period. However, UW intends to use the area for
other academic purposes.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, the staff consulted with the
State of Washington, Division of Radiation Protection, Debra McBaugh
(360/586-8945), regarding the environmental impact of the proposed
actions. There was no objection to the conclusions reached in the
environmental assessment.
Finding of No Significant Impact
Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the
proposed action.
For details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee's
letter dated August 2, 1994, which is available for public inspection
at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L
Street NW., Washington, DC 20555.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of April 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Seymour H. Weiss,
Director, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate,
Division of Project Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-10727 Filed 4-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
