[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19494]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 10, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-280, 50-281, 50-338, and 50-339]
Virginia Electric and Power Co.; Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its
regulations to Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-32, DPR-37, NPF-4,
and NPF-7 issued to Virginia Electric and Power Company, (the
licensee), for operation of the Surry Power Station Units 1 and 2,
located in Surry County, Virginia, and North Anna Power Station Units 1
and 2, located in Louisa County, Virginia.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application dated May 27, 1994, for exemption from certain requirements
of 10 CFR 73.55, ``Requirements for physical protection of licensed
activities in nuclear power reactors against radiological sabotage.''
The exemption would allow implementation of a hand geometry biometric
system for site access control such that picture badges and access
control cards for certain non-employees can be taken offsite.
The Need for the Proposed Action
Pursuant to 10 CFR 73.55, paragraph (a), the licensee shall
establish and maintain an onsite physical protection system and
security organization.
10 CFR 73.55(d), ``Access Requirements,'' paragraph (1), specifies
that ``licensee shall control all points of personnel and vehicle
access into a protected area.'' 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) specifies that ``A
numbered picture badge identification system shall be used for all
individuals who are authorized access to protected areas without
escort.'' 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) also states that an individual not
employed by the licensee (i.e., contractors) may be authorized access
to protected areas without escort provided the individual ``receives a
picture badge upon entrance into the protected area which must be
returned upon exit from the protected area * * *''.
Currently, employee and contractor identification badges, coupled
with their associated access control cards, are issued and retrieved on
the occasion of each entry to and exit from the protected areas of the
Surry and North Anna sites. Station security personnel are required to
maintain control of the badges while the individuals are offsite. This
practice has been in effect at the Surry and North Anna Power Stations
since each operating license was issued. Security personnel retain each
identification badge, as well as the associated access control card,
when not in use by the authorized individual, within appropriately
designed storage receptacles inside a bullet-resistant enclosure. An
individual who meets the access authorization requirements is issued an
individual picture identification card and an individual access control
card which allows entry into preauthorized areas of the station. While
entering the plant in the present configuration, an authorized
individual is ``screened'' by the required detection equipment and by
the issuing security officer. Having received the badge, the individual
proceeds to the access portal, inserts the access control card into the
card readers, enters a personal identification number (PIN), and passes
through the turnstile which unlocks if the preset criteria are met.
Once inside the station, the individual's PIN is not required in order
to further utilize the access authorization card.
This present procedure is labor intensive since security personnel
are required to verify badge issuance, ensure badge retrieval, and
maintain the badges in orderly storage until the next entry into the
protected area. The regulations permit employees to remove their badges
from the site, but an exemption from 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) is required to
permit contractors to take their badges offsite instead of returning
them when exiting the site.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the licensee's
application. Under the proposed system, all individuals authorized to
gain unescorted access will have the physical characteristics of their
hand (hand geometry) recorded with their badge number. Since the hand
geometry is unique to each individual and its application in the entry
screening function would preclude unauthorized use of a badge, the
requested exemption would allow employees and contractors to keep their
badges at the time of exiting the protected area. The process of
verifying badge issuance, ensuring badge retrieval, and maintaining
badges could be eliminated while the balance of the access procedure
would remain intact. Firearm, explosive, and metal detection equipment
and provisions for conducting searches will remain as well. The
security officer responsible for the last access control function
(controlling admission to the protected area) will also remain isolated
within a bullet-resistant structure in order to assure his or her
ability to respond or to summon assistance.
Use of a hand geometry biometrics system exceeds the present
verification methodology's capability to discern an individual's
identity. Unlike the photograph identification badge, hand geometry is
nontransferable. During the initial access authorization or
registration process, hand measurements are recorded and the template
is stored for subsequent use in the identity verification process
required for entry into the protected area. Authorized individuals
insert their access authorization card into the card reader and the
biometrics system records an image of the hand geometry. The unique
features of the newly recorded image are then compared to the template
previously stored in the database. Access is ultimately granted based
on the degree to which the characteristics of the image match those of
the ``signature'' template.
Since both the badge and hand geometry would be necessary for
access into the protected area, the proposed system would provide for a
positive verification process. Potential loss of a badge by an
individual, as a result of taking the badge offsite, would not enable
an unauthorized entry into protected areas.
The access process will continue to be under the observation of
security personnel. The system of identification badges coupled with
their associated access control cards will continue to be used for all
individuals who are authorized access to protected areas without
escorts. Badges will continue to be displayed by all individuals while
inside the protected area. Addition of a hand geometry biometrics
system will provide a significant contribution to effective
implementation of the security plan at each site.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that this proposed action
would result in no significant radiological environmental impact. With
regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed change does
not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other
environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there
are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated
with the proposed action.
Alternative to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered
denial of the proposed action. Denial of the application would result
in no change in current environmental impacts. The environmental
impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action did not involve the use of any resources not previously
considered in the Final Environmental Statements related to operation
of Surry Units 1 and 2, and North Anna Units 1 and 2.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The NRC staff consulted with the State of Virginia regarding the
environmental impact of the proposed action.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental
impact statement for the proposed exemption. Based upon the foregoing
environmental assessment, the Commission concludes that the proposed
action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human
environment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the request
for exemption dated May 27, 1994, which is available for public
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW.,
Washington, DC, and at the local public document rooms located at the
Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia
23185, and the Alderman Library, Special Collections Department,
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-2498.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of August 1994.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Victor M. McCree,
Acting Director, Project Directorate II-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.
[FR Doc. 94-19494 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
