April 15, 2003

Mr. Thomas E. Hill, Manager

Radioactive Materials Program

Department of Natural Resources

4244 International Parkway, Suite 114

Atlanta, GA 30354 

Dear Mr. Hill:

A periodic meeting with Georgia was held on March 26, 2003. The purpose of this meeting was

to review and discuss the status of Georgia Agreement State program. The NRC was

represented by Cardelia Maupin from the NRC’s Office of State and Tribal Programs (STP),

Mr. Douglas M. Collins, Director, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards,

Region II, and myself. Specific topics and issues of importance discussed at the meeting

included program strengths, staffing and training, performance of licensing and inspection

activities, and the updating of regulations for compatibility. 

I have completed and enclosed a general meeting summary for your review. No action items

were identified during this meeting.

If you feel that our conclusions do not accurately summarize the meeting discussion, or have

any additional remarks about the meeting in general, please contact me at 404-562-4704, or email to rlw@nrc.gov to discuss your concerns. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Richard L. Woodruff

Regional State Agreement Officer

Enclosures: 1. Periodic Meeting Summary

 2. Organization Chart

cc w/encls: 

R. Trojanowski, RII

C. Maupin, STP

Distribution w/encls:

D. Collins, RII

P. Lohaus, STP

L. Rakovan, STP
OFFICE RII:DNMS

SIGNATURE DMC 4/15/03

NAME DMCollins

DATE 4/ /2003 4/ /2003 4/ /2003 4/ /2003 4/ /2003 4/ /2003 4/ /2003

E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO 

PUBLIC DOCUMENT YES NO 

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY DOCUMENT NAME: C:\ORPCheckout\FileNET\ML031050116.wpd
Enclosure 1

AGREEMENT STATE PERIODIC MEETING SUMMARY FOR GEORGIA

DATE OF MEETING: MARCH 26, 2003

ATTENDEES:

NRC

Richard L. Woodruff, RSAO, Region II

Douglas M. Collins, Director, DNMS, Region II

Cardelia Maupin, ASPO, STP

STATE

Thomas E. Hill, Manager, Radioactive Materials Program (RMP)

Cynthia Sanders, Principle Radiation Specialist, RMP

DISCUSSION:

The previous Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMEPEP) review was

conducted during the period of April 3-7, 2000. Only one recommendation was made during

the IMPEP, and the program reported that their action on the recommendation was completed

in October of 2000. A periodic meeting was also held with the program on August 8, 2001, and

there was one action item regarding the adoption of regulations.

This meeting was held with the Georgia representatives on March 26, 2003, in Mr. Hill’s office.

The topics listed in NRC letter dated February 18, 2003 (ML 030490040) to Mr. Hill were

discussed. Details for each area are discussed below.

1. Results of any internal program audits/self assessments conducted by the State

The Program conducted self assessments prior to the previous two IMPEPs. It was

noted that three staff members have participated on IMPEPs which also helps the

program to be knowledgeable of changes that could impact their program, and the

IMPEP process. During the meeting, the Director responded to discussions with data,

charts, lists, and other computerized information that demonstrated the program’s

ability to track and assess the status of regulatory issues, and the management of

resources. The Director also tracks performance goals with quarterly reports from the

technical staff. The manager has established performance goals for the program, the

objectives for each goal, and time schedules for completion of the goals. 
2

2. Status of State program and/or policy changes

a. Program reorganizations

There have been no changes in the structure of the organization since the last

review. The Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) reports to

the Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Board of

Directors. The Radioactive Materials Program and the Environmental Radiation

Programs are located in the Program Coordination Branch under EPD.

The Materials Program is headed by the Program Manager and has a

Secretary 2 position, an Accounting Clerk position, and eight Environmental

Radiation Specialist 3 positions. The workload is divided into six geographical

areas with one person assigned to handle all licensing, inspections, and

incidents in that area. All of the technical staff work out of the Atlanta office

except for one person assigned to the Savannah, GA, EPD Area Office. One

Radiation Specialist performs all licensing and inspection actions associated with

Sealed Source & Device reviews, and coordinates/proctors the Industrial

Radiographer certifications. One Radiation Specialist manages the technical

data, tracks all licensing and inspection information, and tracks incidents and

makes entries into the NMED system. An updated organization chart is provided

as Enclosure 2. 

The program currently has 514 specific licenses of which 314 are core licenses

(inspection priorities 1, 2, and 3 years), and currently there are no licensing,

inspection, or enforcement backlogs. The Program Manager related that there

were no unusual or major regulatory actions taken with regard to the licensing

and inspection program. 

b. Changes in program staff 

The Manager reported that one person came back to the program to fill a

vacancy. There is a statewide hiring freeze, but all RMP positions are currently

filled. The program director related that he will retire this calendar year, and that

two other persons will be eligible for retirement soon.

c. Legislative changes 

The Program Manager reported that there have been no legislative changes that

directly impacted the Materials Program

d. Redistribution of responsibilities

The Manager reported that there were no redistribution of responsibilities. 
3

e. Changes in program budget/funding

The Program is funded 100% from fees. The fees were last revised in 1992. 

The fee schedule will be restructured effective July 1, 2003, and is designed to

be revenue neutral. No increase in fees is projected until FY 2005 or FY 2006.

f. Training 

All of the technical staff are trained, including the one person that returned to the

program. The staff participates in seminars and refresher courses.

3. Compatibility of Agreement State regulations and status of any proposed regulation

changes

The State Regulation Status (SRS) from the STP web site was reviewed, and document

shows that the program has adopted all regulations needed for compatibility, except for

some comments that were provided to the program by letter dated June 26, 2002. 

These comments are being addressed in a rulemaking currently being drafted for

adoption by the Department of Natural Resources board on May 28, 2003, and will also

include the adoption of 10 CFR Part 35 equivalent regulations. 

4. NMED reporting including event follow-up and closure information

A printout of the incidents reported by the program to the NMED system was reviewed. 

The printout shows that there have been 29 events reported by the program since

August of 2001, the events were routinely entered into the system during the period and

all but three had been closed. The program maintains the event data on their own

tracking system including information on complaints and non-AEA materials. No

performance issues concerning the reporting of incident data were identified. 

5. Status of Allegations Previously Referred

The Manager related that their agency had very few allegations, that allegations were

processed on a case-by-case basis, and that follow-ups were conducted as needed. 

Five allegations have been referred to Georgia by the NRC Region II office since August 

2001, and there are no outstanding NRC issues related to the referrals. Only

information concerning the NRC referred allegations was reviewed. The program

manager related that there had been no changes in the process since the last review. 

6. Program Strengths and/or Weaknesses

The Program Manager related that the strength of the Program was the staff. The

Program received adequate support from the DNR, legislative support, stable sources of

funding, administrative support, legal support, adequate equipment, low staff turnover,

and the staff are well trained. No performance type weaknesses were identified by NRC

or the program manager during this meeting.


7. Feedback on NRC’s program

The program director related that the common defense and security orders being issued

by NRC could be confusing to the licensees, and that good communication and

coordination from NRC was needed.

The program director expressed concern about duplication in the General License (GL)

program, and requested the name of the NRC contact for the GL program . Mr. Bolling,

STP, provided the information which was sent to GA via e-mail. The contact at NRC is

Mr. Binesh Tharakan, MSIB, telephone: 301-415-7138. 

8. Status of NRC program changes that could impact Agreement States

The Director, Division of NMSS, RII, discussed NRC program changes that could impact

the State, such as the MOU with the EPA, the control of radioactive sources

(accountability, orphan sources, physical protection, control of imports), federal

guidance on dose to members of the public (clearance rule, Part 40 exemptions), the

evolving materials program, risk analysis (NUREG 6642), priorities, safety goals, new

inspection procedures, the need for a questioning attitude by inspectors, and

Compensatory Measures.

The Program Manager keeps track of regulatory issues through the STP web site, STP

correspondence, the Organization of Agreement States (OAS), the Conference of

Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD), and is knowledgeable of changes that

could impact the Georgia program. The Program Manager regularly provides comments

on NRC issues, and the Manager and one Radiation Specialist participates on the

National Materials Program working group. The staff actively participate on other NRC

working groups and CRCPD committees. 

9. Schedule for the next IMPEP review

April 2004

CONCLUSION:

The Georgia program reported having good support from the DNR, good managers, and

trained, experienced staff. By all indications (performance), the Georgia program has the

resources to be adequate to protect public health and safety under the IMPEP criteria. All of

the IMPEP indicators affecting the Georgia program were discussed during the meeting, and

there were no performance issues identified.

ACTION ITEM: None
DNR Board

Director, EPD

Harold Reheis

DNR Commissioner

Lonice C. Barrett

Environmental

Protection

Wildlife

Resources

Parks, 

Rec., &

Hist. Sites

Coastal

Resources

Historic

Preservation

P2AD Program

Support

Air

Protection

Geologic

Survey

Land

Protection Program

Coordination

Water

Protection

Water

Resources

Management

Branch Chief --James L. Setser

Regional

Offices (5)

Labs Emergency

Response

Radioactive

Materials Program

Environmental

Radiation Program

Data

Mgt.

Environ.

Toxic.

Program Manager James C. Hardeman

Env. Spec. III Sidney B. Simonton

Env. Spec. III Clifford P. Blackman

Prin. Env. Rad. Spec. William L. Slocumb

Assoc. Env. Spec. Arthur Crumbley

Lab Associate James E. Gary

Lab Assistant Richard Jakiel

Env. Spec. III Gary Johnson

Env. Spec. I Sean Hayes

Program Manager Thomas E. Hill

Secretary II Vacant

Accounting Clerk Kathaleen Hill

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Elizabeth Seale

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Elizabeth Drinnon

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Rodriquez Harrell

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Eric Jameson

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Cornelius Maryland

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Irene Bennett

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Cynthia Sanders

Env. Rad. Spec. 3 Lauren Palmer

Environmental Radiation Laboratory

Contracted with Georgia Tech

Director Dr. Bernd Kahn

Associate Director Robert Rosson

Radiochemist Vacant

Radiochemist Jeff Lahr

Electronic Tech. David Crowe

Organizational Chart -- Georgia Department of Natural Resources

*

Positions -- 9 Vacant -- 0

Positions -- 11 Vacant -- 1

*NOTE: The EPD Director serves at the pleasure of the DNR

Board. The DNR Board members are appointed by the

Governor.

s:\datadire\organiza (March 27, 2003) rev.