July 2014

NUREG/BR-011

No. 14-03

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International 

Conference

On December 1-5, 2014, the International 

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will host an 

occupational radiation protection conference 

with the International Labor Organization in 

cooperation with several other international 

organizations. This international conference, 

entitled “Enhancing the Protection of Workers–

Gaps, Challenges and Developments,” will be 

held at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. 

This conference will include a series of topical 

sessions and roundtable discussions covering a 

wide range of areas relevant to occupational 

radiation protection and will also include 

poster sessions and vendor exhibits.

In 2002, IAEA held the first occupational radiation protection conference, entitled 

“Protecting Workers against Exposure to Ionizing Radiation.” The recommendations 

and conclusions from the first conference resulted in an international action 

plan on occupational radiation protection that has been accelerating and guiding 

international efforts in improving occupational radiation protection worldwide. 

While the 2002 conference provided very broad international input on the status 

of occupational radiation protection at the time, much work remains to be done, 

and specific challenges exist in the areas of medicine, naturally occurring radioactive 

material, and the nuclear industry in general. In addition, new developments 

in recent years have brought with them additional challenges that need to be 

addressed by the international community.

The objectives of the 2014 conference are to exchange information and experience 

in the field of occupational radiation protection; review advances, challenges, and 

opportunities since the first conference on this topic in 2002; identify areas for 

future improvement; and formulate conclusions and recommendations.

There is no conference registration fee, but participants must register online in 

advance. Registration will be accepted up until 2 weeks before the conference. 

Visit the IAEA Web site for detailed information regarding this conference:

http://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/46139/orpconf2014. 

(Contact: Cindy Flannery, FSME, 301-415-0223 or Cindy.Flannery@nrc.gov)

Continued on page 2

Office of Feder

Materials & Envi

Management
July 2014

2

ADVANCE NTICE

RULEMA

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will publish in the Federal Register an advance 

notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to obtain input from stakeholders on the development 

of a draft regulatory basis for potential revisions to the NRC’s regulations in Title 10 of the 

Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 20, “Standards for Protection Against Radiation.” 

These regulations establish the standards of protection for both members of the public and 

occupational workers from ionizing radiation resulting from activities conducted under licenses 

issued by the NRC. The 10 CFR Part 20 draft regulatory basis will support potential changes to 

achieve greater alignment between the NRC’s regulations and the International Commission on 

Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 103 (2007) recommendations. 

The ANPR is in response to the Commission’s direction in Staff Requirements Memorandum 

(SRM)-SECY-12-0064, entitled “Recommendations for Policy and Technical Direction to Revise 

Radiation Protection Regulations and Guidance,” dated December 17, 2012. This SRM addresses 

the following issues: 

1. Updating the NRC regulatory framework to align with the new terminology and dose 

calculation methodologies in ICRP Publication 103 (2007). 

2. Exploring the potential impacts of a reduction in the dose limit for the lens of the eye, 

including how the prevention of cataracts should be viewed in comparison with the potential 

induction of cancer and other adverse impacts. 

3. Changing the dose limit for the embryo or fetus to 1 millisievert (mSv) (100 millirem 

(mrem)). 

4. Researching alternative approaches to deal with individual protection at or near the current 

dose limit, including updating the regulatory guidance to provide additional examples of 

mechanisms acceptable in the development and implementation of as low as reasonably 

achievable radiation protection programs. 

5. Aligning the NRC regulations in 10 CFR Part 20 with the NRC’s metrication policy. 

6. Requiring additional NRC license categories and Agreement State licensees to report 

occupational exposures to the NRC’s Radiation Exposure Information and Reporting System 

(REIRS) database. 

The staff has developed issue papers on the six preceding topics that the NRC identified in 

SRM-SECY-12-0064, and these papers will be available on the NRC’s Web site.

The ANPR will have a 120-day comment period. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide 

comments. The NRC staff plans to hold a series of informational webinars on the issues. The 

dates will be announced as soon as they are scheduled. Stakeholders’ comments, along with 

responses to the specific questions identified in the ANPR, will be considered by the NRC staff 

when it develops the draft regulatory basis for potential revisions to 10 CFR Part 20. 

(Contact: Cardelia Maupin, FSME, 301-415-2312 or Cardelia.Maupin@nrc.gov)

2

(from left to right: Dr. Philip Alderson, 

Dr. Vasken Dilsizian, and Mr. Francis 

Costello)
July 2014

3

FROM T

THE DIR

It was a pleasure to participate and hear about the high level of 

interactions between you and NRC staff and management at the 

Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) 

annual meeting in Atlanta, GA, in May, as well as at the Health 

Physics Society annual meeting in Baltimore, MD, in July. These 

conferences continue to provide excellent forums for discussing 

materials’ technical and policy issues and networking with fellow 

radiation professionals. 

For several months, the big topic in FSME has been the potential 

office merger between FSME and the Office of Nuclear 

Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS). Following staff’s 

proposal presented in a Commission paper that included the 

reason for the proposed merger and a short discussion on the 

alternatives considered, the Commission approved the staff’s 

recommendation. A recurring theme from the vote comments 

was the recognition of the significant organizational undertaking 

this will present. Efforts are underway to plan and transition to 

a single merged office. We will continue to communicate with 

both internal and external stakeholders as we move forward with 

implementing the Commission’s direction. 

I have written about the importance of Agreement State 

compatibility in past articles. I want to share a recent briefing 

conducted by FSME staff for Senator Carper’s staff to highlight 

again the importance of this subject. During the briefing, 

the Senator’s staff asked questions about Agreement State 

compatibility and how we ensured that State licensing and 

inspection programs were compatible and acceptable to us. 

We explained the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation 

Program (IMPEP) process and noted that we have the authority 

to revoke an agreement if, after an evaluation and continued 

monitoring, a program does not meet the NRC’s standards. Also, 

we stated that we have confidence in the Agreement States 

conducting their regulatory job, including performing security 

inspections and enforcement. Compatibility regulations require 

that some regulations are identical between the NRC and States, 

but it also allows the Agreement States flexibility with other 

regulations. FSME continues to evaluate compatibility issues and 

improvements, as appropriate. We look to continue to partner 

with you throughout this process.

Another topic I would like to highlight is the NRC staff’s revision 

of the 1995 Concentration Averaging and Encapsulation Branch 

Technical Position (CA BTP), which will improve management of 

“hot spots” in low–level radioactive waste disposal. The revised CA 

BTP averaging constraints are better tied to risk to an inadvertent 

intruder, one of the four performance objectives in the NRC’s low–

level waste (LLW) disposal regulation in 10 CFR Part 61, “Licensing 

Requirements for Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste.”

The revised CA BTP has the potential to accomplish the following:

1. Reduce worker exposures by removing averaging constraints 

that are not closely tied to intruder risk, but that require 

additional waste characterization.

2. Expand disposal options for cesium–137 (Cs–137) sealed 

sources, which are severely constrained by the current version 

of the CA BTP by an overly conservative intruder scenario. In 

the 1995 guidance, the staff postulated that an intruder would 

be in contact with the encapsulated waste for 2360 hours per 

year and limited the acceptable dose to 1/10th the limit used 

in Part 61. The new guidance is based on a more reasonable 

exposure scenario. 

3. Allow site and waste-specific averaging approaches, currently 

significantly constrained by the 1995 CA BTP.

4. Implement the Commission’s decision on LLW blending by 

developing a standard for homogeneity of the blended waste. 

LLW blending could enable more efficient disposal of certain 

wastes such as ion exchange resins from nuclear power plants. 

The revised guidance will clarify the considerations for blending, 

which are lacking in the current CA BTP.

The revised CA BTP is expected to be published later this 

year. The staff has received extensive stakeholder input on the 

revision. Three drafts were published for public comment, two 

public workshops were held, and it is our belief that stakeholders 

generally seem to feel that they have been “heard.”

I hope you are having a great summer! In August, I look forward 

to seeing you at the Organization of Agreement States Annual 

Meeting in Chicago, IL.

Brian Holian, Acting Director
July 2014

4

(from top to bottom and from left to right: 

Dr. Christopher Palestro, Mr. Francis Costello, 

Dr. Philip Alderson, Mr. Steven Mattmuller, 

Dr. Vasken Dilsizian, Dr. Milton Guiberteau, 

Dr. James Welsh, Commissioner William C. 

Ostendorff, Commissioner George Apostolakis, 

Commissioner William D. Magwood, 

Chairman Allison M. Macfarlane, 

Commissioner Kristine L. Svinicki, Dr. John Suh, 

Dr. Pat Zanzonico, Ms. Laura Weil, 

Dr. Bruce Thomadsen, Dr. Susan Langhorst, 

Dr. Orhan Suleiman)

Meeting with the

On May 9, 2014, the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) held its 

annual meeting with the NRC Commission. The topics discussed included an Overview of 

ACMUI Activities, the ACMUI’s Position on Patient Release, the Reliability of Radiation Safety 

Instructions for Patients Released Following Iodine–131 Therapy, the ACMUI’s Views on Revisions 

to the NRC Medical Policy Statement, FDA’s Radiation Regulatory Responsibilities, and General 

Views on the Regulation of Medical Uses of Byproduct Material–Part 35. The Commission 

meeting agendas, slides, transcripts and webcast archives can be accessed at: http://www.nrc.gov/

reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/tr/2014/. 

In addition to the meeting with the Commission, ACMUI held its semiannual spring meeting at NRC 

Headquarters on May 8–9, 2014. Topics discussed include the following: Commission direction on 

Part 35 rulemaking activities, the NRC medical policy statement, research on the release of patients 

following iodine-131 administration, and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) 

efforts to reduce highly enriched uranium in molybdenum-99 production. ACMUI meeting agenda, 

handouts, transcripts, and meeting summary can be accessed on the ACMUI meetings Web site at 

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/acmui/meetings/. 

ACMUI advises the NRC on policy and technical issues that arise in the regulations of the 

medical uses of radioactive material in diagnosis and therapy. ACMUI membership includes 

health care professionals from various disciplines who comment on changes to NRC 

regulations and guidance, evaluate certain nonroutine uses of radioactive material, and bring key 

issues to the attention of the NRC staff for appropriate action.

Additional information about ACMUI can be found at 

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/advisory/acmui.html. 

(Contact: Sophie Holiday, FSME, 301–415–7865 or Sophie.Holiday@nrc.gov)

ANNUAL M

On August 25-28, 2014, the Organization of Agreement States (OAS) will hold its annual 

meeting at the Omni Chicago Hotel in downtown Chicago, IL. This meeting will be hosted by 

the NRC’s Region III office. OAS is a non-profit, voluntary, scientific and professional society 

whose membership consists of state radiation control directors and staff from the 37 Agreement 

States who are responsible for implementation of their respective Agreement State programs. 

The purpose of the OAS is to provide a mechanism for Agreement States to work with each 

other and with the NRC on regulatory issues associated with their respective agreements. The 

Agreement States regulate approximate 87 percent of all materials licensees in the United States 

and work closely with the NRC on a wide range of issues affecting radioactive materials licensees. 

The Agreement States, through the OAS, actively participate in over 30 NRC working groups to 

develop guidance and policy documents that directly impact the regulation of radioactive material.

This OAS annual meeting will feature addresses from Chairman Allison M. Macfarlane and 

Commissioner William D. Magwood, as well as presentations from NRC senior management 

and various Agreement States representatives. The meeting will feature a number of topical 

sessions, including those on security, medical uses, emerging technical and policy issues, and 

materials events. Additional information on the meeting and a copy of the draft agenda can be 

found on the OAS website at http://www.agreementstates.org.

(Contact: David Spackman, FSME, 630–829–9571 or David.Spackman@nrc.gov). 
July 2014

5

“Negative Ion” T

What you should kn

You may have heard about colorful silicone wristbands and athletic tape infused with minerals 

that are supposed to release “negative ions.” You might even be wearing one. They are touted 

as improving balance and strength, enhancing flexibility and motion, and improving mental focus 

and alertness. They are sold on the Internet or in retail stores across the United States (U.S.).

The minerals these products contain can vary from volcanic ash and titanium to less familiar 

ones such as tourmaline, zeolite, germanium and monazite sand. They may also contain naturally 

occurring radioactive minerals, including uranium and thorium. In trace amounts, these minerals 

do not warrant much attention. But the radioactive emissions—that is to say gamma rays—

from several of these products were detected on entry to the country by U.S. Customs and 

Border Protection officials using radiation monitoring equipment. The long-term health impact 

from exposure to these products is negligible, even though the radiation detected was greater 

than what people are exposed to from radon, granite, the sun and other natural sources.

NRC staff experts on radiation are working with other regulators to determine just how much 

and what type of radioactive material is in these products. The NRC has commissioned an 

independent analysis by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to measure this. The analysis will 

guide State and Federal decisions concerning future marketing and sales of these products. We 

expect to know more around mid-July.

We cannot say whether these products work as advertised. If you have them or know someone 

who does, our best advice for getting specific health information is to speak to a physician. In 

the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to make sure they are being regulated properly.

(Contact: Vincent Holahan, FSME, 301–415–7510 or Vincent.Holahan@nrc.gov)

SIGNIFICANT ENFORCE

The NRC issued significant actions for failure to comply with a regulation.

Tetra Tech, Inc., Newark, Delaware (EA-13-

On February 24, 2014, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Tetra Tech, Inc. (Tetra Tech) for 

a Severity Level III violation. The violation involved a failure to confine possession and use of the 

byproduct material to the locations and purposes authorized in the license, as required by 

10 CFR 30.34(c), “Terms and Conditions of Licenses.” Specifically, between June 7, 2006, and 

October 22, 2013, on multiple occasions, Tetra Tech personnel conducted maintenance of portable 

nuclear gauges that required detaching the source rod from the gauge and was not specifically 

licensed by the NRC or an Agreement State to perform such services.

Valley Quarries, Inc. (EA-13-21

On February 6, 2014, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation and proposed imposition of civil 

penalty in the amount of $3,500 to Valley Quarries, Inc. (VQI), for three Severity Level III violations. 

The three violations involved VQI’s willful failure to: (1) secure the gauge containing radioactive 

materials to prevent it from shifting during transport as required by 10 CFR 71.5, “Transportation 

of Licensed Material”; (2) control and maintain constant surveillance of the gauge that is in an 

unrestricted area as required by 10 CFR 20.1802, “Control of Material Not in Storage”; and (3) 

use two independent physical controls that form tangible barriers to secure the gauge from 

unauthorized removal in accordance with 10 CFR 30.34(i).  Specifically, on May 3, 2013, VQI, a 
July 2014

6

licensee of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was working under reciprocity in a nonAgreement State and did not secure a portable gauge containing licensed materials to 

prevent shifting while transporting it in the back of a pickup truck over a public highway, 

an unrestricted area, in West Virginia.  Consequently, the gauge fell out of the truck bed 

on a highway and was left unsecured in an area not controlled by the licensee. The gauge 

was found by a member of the public who subsequently returned it to the licensee 

through the Agreement State regulator.

Med

IUPUI/Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapol

Indiana (EA-14-028

On April 3, 2014, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation to IUPUI/Indiana University 

Medical Center for a Severity Level III violation. The violation involved the failure to 

secure from unauthorized removal or access licensed materials that are stored in 

controlled or unrestricted areas as required by 10 CFR 20.1801, “Security of Stored 

Material.”  Specifically, on January 16, 2014, the licensee stored radioactive material in 

laboratories with doors that were not secured.

INDI

Joseph S. Shepherd (IA-13-0

On December 20, 2013 (with erratum issued April 8, 2014), the NRC issued Mr. Joseph S. 

Shepherd, owner of Foss Therapy Services, an Order conditioning involvement in NRClicensed activities and Notice of Violation (Notice) associated with a willful failure to 

adhere to some of the conditions set forth in NRC Order IA-08-014. The Order 

prohibited Mr. Shepherd’s involvement in Type B shipment activities and conditioned 

his involvement in other NRC licensed activities. On April 13, 2012, Mr. Shepherd, with 

careless disregard, failed to notify his customer of NRC Order IA-08-014 and did not 

make the Order available to them. This current Order, NRC Order IA-13-038, conditions 

Mr. Shepherd’s involvement in NRC-licensed activities for a period of 3 years, and also 

requires certain documentation for an additional year. Under this Order, before beginning 

work in NRC jurisdiction, Mr. Shepherd must notify customers of NRC Order IA-08-

014 and make it available for their review, provide future employers with a copy of the 

Order and notify the NRC no less than 5 business days before conducting licensed 

activities within NRC jurisdiction. The provisions above will remain in effect for 3 years 

from the effective date of the Order. Mr. Shepherd must also determine whether the 

customer is under NRC jurisdiction, document his determination and state the basis for his 

determination. The provision will remain in effect for 3 years from the effective date of the 

Order. The documentation of this requirement must be maintained for a period of 4 years 

from the effective date of the Order. The NRC also issued a Severity Level III violation for 

Mr. Shepherd’s failure to follow certain conditions set forth in NRC Order IA-08-014.

Information about the NRC’s enforcement program can be accessed at 

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement/current.html. Documents related 

to cases can be accessed through Agencywide Documents Access and Management 

System (ADAMS) at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Help in using ADAMS 

is available by contacting the NRC Public Document Room staff at 301–415–4737 or 

1–800–397–4209 or by sending an e-mail to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov.

(Contact: Michele Burgess, FSME, 301–415–5868 or Michele.Burgess@nrc.gov)
July 2014

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GENERIC COMMUNICA

The following summarize NRC generic communications issued by FSME. If any of these 

documents appear relevant to your needs and you have not received a copy, please call one of the 

technical contacts listed below. The Web address for the NRC library of generic communications 

is http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm.

Information Notice

The NRC issues Information Notice (IN) to addressees to provide significant recently identified 

information about safety, safeguards, or environmental issues. Addressees are expected to review 

the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid 

similar problems. 

On May 12, 2014, the NRC issued IN–2014–05, “Verifying Appropriate Dosimetry Evaluation.” 

The IN was issued to alert licensees to a potential error in evaluating doses following the 

processing of personnel dosimetry. 

(Contact: Sami Sherbini, RES, 301–415–7833 or Sami.Sherbini@nrc.gov or Angela McIntosh, FSME, 

301–415–5030 or Angela.McIntosh@nrc.gov)

On April 28, 2014, the NRC issued IN–2014–06, “Damage of Industrial Radiographic Equipment 

due to Falling Equipment and Improper Mounting.” The IN was issued to inform licensees about 

the results of a recent NRC staff analysis involving radiographic equipment. 

(Contact: Maria Arribas-Colon, FSME, 301–415–6026 or Maria.Arribas-Colon@nrc.gov)

Regulatory Issue Summar

The NRC provides a regulatory issue summary (RIS) as an informational document used to 

communicate with the nuclear industry on a broad spectrum of matters.

On April 16, 2014, the NRC issued RIS 2014–02, “Withdrawal of NRC Generic Letter 95-08, 

‘10 CFR 50.54(p) Process for Changes to Security Plans without Prior NRC Approval.’” 

This RIS was issued to inform addressees that the original issue of NRC Generic Letter 95-08, 

“10 CFR 50.54(p) Process for Changes to Security Plans without Prior NRC Approval” has been 

withdrawn through the issuance of Generic Letter 95-08, Revision 1.

(Contact: John Frost, NSIR, 301–827–3695 or John.Frost@nrc.gov.)

On May 12, 2014, the NRC issued RIS 2014–04, “National Source Tracking System (NSTS) 

Long-Term Storage Indicator.” The RIS was issued to encourage licensees on a voluntary basis 

to submit additional information related to sources identified in long-term storage in the NSTS 

to include the “use status” of their sealed sources (i.e., whether or not their sources are in use or 

have become disused). 

(Contact: John Frost, NSIR, 301–827–3695 or John.Frost@nrc.gov)
July 2014

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SIGNIFICANT

Non-use of Safety Equipment Leads to a Significa

Overexposure during Radiograph

Date and Place: March 12, 2014, LaPorte, TX

Event details: The licensee reported that a radiographer trainee appeared to have 

been exposed for approximately 15 seconds to a 2.55 TBq (69 Ci) Ir-192 source in a 

radiography camera. Based on the licensee’s re-enactment of the event, the licensee 

initially calculated a dose of 36.8 Sv (3,680 rem) to the hand and 60 mSv (6 rem) 

whole body. However, it was noted that the trainee did not experience pain in his 

hand, neither were any deterministic effects observed. The State of Texas completed 

an investigation and calculated a dose of 120 mSv (12 rem) whole body and 40 

mSv (4 rem) to the hand. The low estimated dose in the initial report was due to 

miscommunication between the affected radiographer and the licensee, as English is 

not the radiographer’s primary language. The root cause of the overdose was the 

failure to wear or to utilize any radiation protection equipment.

Improper/Non-use of Safety Equipment Leads to 

Significant Overexposure during Radiograph

Date and Place: April 9, 2014, Dayton, OH

Event details: The licensee reported that the lead radiographer approached the end 

of the guide tube of a radiography camera that had a 3.29 TBq (89 Ci) Ir-192 source, 

having assumed that the source had already been retracted into the shielded camera. 

After approximately 90 seconds, the assistant radiographer entered the area. The 

assistant radiographer’s alarming rate meter and survey meter indicated the presence 

of radiation and the two individuals left the area. The lead radiographer was wearing 

a whole body dosimetry badge which was sent for emergency processing. The 

dosimeter was measured by the vendor at 8.36 mSv (836 mrem). Based on reenactments during the State of Ohio’s reactive inspection, the licensee assigned the 

lead radiographer a whole body dose of 130 mSv (13 rem), and an extremity (hand) 

dose of 65 mSv (6.5 rem). The licensee assigned doses to the individual because 

the individual was wearing the dosimetry badge on his belt, rendering the badge not 

optimally positioned to accurately record his dose. The State of Ohio observed the 

following safety infractions during their reactive inspection: the lead radiographer’s 

alarming rate meter had a dead battery; the radiographers did not utilize a source 

collimator causing the source to be unshielded; the lead radiographer’s survey meter 

was not fully functional; and the lead radiographer had not tested his survey meter for 

proper response on the day of the event.

(Contact: Angela McIntosh, 301–415–5030 or Angela.McIntosh@nrc.gov)
July 2014

9

Selected Federal

March 5, 2014 

79 FR 12362, List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: HI–STORM 100 Cask System; Amendment 

No. 9 (Direct Final Rule; Confirmation of Effective Date).

Summary: The NRC is confirming the effective date of March 11, 2014, for the direct final 

rule that was published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2013, and corrected on 

December 26, 2013. This direct final rule amended the NRC’s spent fuel storage regulations by revising 

the Holtec International HI–STORM 100 Cask System listing within the ‘‘List of Approved Spent 

Fuel Storage Casks’’ to include Amendment No. 9 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1014.

(Contact: Naiem Tanious, FSME, 301–415–6103 or Naiem.Tanious@nrc.gov) 

March 10, 2014 

79 FR 13192, List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Transnuclear, Inc. Standardized NUHOMS 

Cask System (Direct Final Rule)

Summary: The NRC is amending through a direct final rule its spent fuel storage regulations by 

revising the Transnuclear, Inc. Standardized NUHOMSR Cask System listing within the ‘‘List of 

Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks’’ to include Amendment No. 13 to Certificate of Compliance 

(CoC) No. 1004. Amendment No. 13 includes changes to: (1) add two new dry shielded 

canisters (DSCs), the –37PTH and the –69BTH; (2) add new approved contents, including blended 

low-enriched uranium fuel, and control components to already approved DSCs; and (3) extend 

the use of the high-seismic horizontal storage module for storage of already approved DSCs. In 

addition, the amendment makes several other changes as described in Section III of the direct final 

rule. The effective date of the direct final rule was confirmed as May 16, 2014 (79 FR 28393).

(Contact: Gregory Trussell, FSME, 301–415–6445 or Gregory.Trussell@nrc.gov) 

March 21, 2014 

79 FR 15779, Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes: Renewal Notice 

(Renewal Notice Announcement) 

Summary: The NRC has determined that the renewal of the charter for the Advisory Committee 

on the Medical Uses of Isotopes for the 2-year period beginning March 14, 2014, is in the public 

interest, in connection with duties imposed on the Commission by law. 

(Contact: Sophie Holiday, FSME, 301–415–7865 or Sophie.Holiday@nrc.gov)

May 15, 2014 

79 FR 27772, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Regulatory Program 

(Strategic Assessment Update; Request for Comment) 

Summary: The NRC is conducting an update to a strategic assessment of its low-level radioactive 

waste (LLRW) regulatory program. The objective of this assessment is to identify and prioritize 

activities that the staff can undertake to ensure a stable, reliable, and adaptable regulatory 

framework for effective LLRW management, while also considering future needs and changes 

that may occur in the Nation’s LLRW management system. The staff is seeking comments on 

developments that would affect the LLRW regulatory program in the next several years that 

would affect licensees and cited States and actions that the NRC could take to ensure safety, 

security, and the protection of the environment. 

(Contact: Melanie C. Wong, FSME, 301–415–2432 or Melanie.Wong@nrc.gov)
July 2014

10

June 2, 2014 

79 FR 31348, Reporting of H–3, C–14, Tc–99, and I–129 on the Uniform Waste 

Manifest (Draft Regulatory Issue Summary; Request for Comment) 

Summary: The NRC is seeking public comment on the draft regulatory issue summary, 

which addresses the reporting of hydrogen-3 (H–3), carbon-14 (C–14), technetium-99 

(Tc–99), and iodine-129 (I–129) on the uniform waste manifest. The purpose of 

this draft RIS is to identify instances where licensees may use indirect methods to 

determine the activity of these radionuclides reported on the uniform manifest when 

the radionuclide is present at a concentration less than the lower limit of detection.

(Contact: Don Lowman, FSME, 301–415–5452 or Donald.Lowman@nrc.gov)

ONGOING RUL

Rulemaking Descripti

PROPOS

10 CFR Part 61 – Low–

Level Radioactive Waste 

(LLRW) Disposal

The proposed rule would revise 

10 CFR Part 61 to require LLRW 

disposal licensees and license 

applicants to conduct updated and 

new site specific analyses and to 

permit the development of criteria 

for future LLRW acceptance based 

on the results of these analyses.

The rulemaking package 

(SECY–13–0075 dated 

July 18, 2013) was sent to 

the NRC Commission for 

review. The SRM was issued 

February 12, 2014. A revised 

proposed rule is due to 

SECY in 12 months 

(February 2015). 

10 CFR Part 35 – 

Medical Use of Byproduct 

Material – Medical event 

Definitions, Training and 

Experience and Clarifying 

Amendments 

The proposed rule would amend 

the reporting and notification 

requirements for a medical event, 

training and experience requirements, and changes to address 

a request filed in a petition for 

rulemaking.

The rulemaking package 

(SECY–13–0084, dated 

August 8, 2013; ADAMS No. 

ML13179A068) was sent to 

the NRC Commission for 

review. On January 6, 2014 

(ADAMS No. ML14007A044), 

the SRM was issued approving 

the proposed rule with 

some modest changes. The 

proposed rule and draft 

guidance will be published for 

public comment in July 2014.

Final Ru

10 CFR Part 71 – 

Compatibility with 

Transportation Standards

The rule would amend the transportation safety requirements in 

10 CFR Part 71 to make changes 

to the NRC regulations for the 

packaging and transportation of 

radioactive material. 

The NRC published the 

proposed rule in the 

Federal Register and on 

May 16, 2013 (78 FR 28988). 

A final rule will likely be sent 

to the Commission in 

September 2014.
July 2014

11

DIRECT FI

10 CFR Part 70, Appendix 

A, Direct Final Rule, 

Reportable Safety Events

The direct final rule and companion proposed rule would modify 

the event reporting requirements 

In Part 70, Appendix A.

The Commission approved 

staff to move forward 

with rulemaking. (COMSECY–13–0015; ADAMS 

No. ML13044A383). The 

direct final rule and companion proposed rule may be 

published for public comment 

in October 2014.

10 CFR Part 73, Safeguard 

Information–Modified 

Handling (SGI-M) Categorization Change for 

Materials Facilities

The direct final rule and 

companion proposed rule would 

remove the SGI-M designation of 

the security–related information 

for large irradiators, M&D 

licensees, and for any licensee 

that transports Category 1 

quantities of radioactive material 

or transports small quantities of 

irradiated reactor fuel that weigh 

100 grams or less in net weight of 

irradiated fuel. The security-related 

information for these facilities 

and the transportation will be 

protected under the requirements 

of the new 10 Part 37, “Physical 

Protection of Category 1 

and Category 2 Quantities of 

Radioactive Material.”

The staff sent the Commission a rulemaking 

package on April 24, 2013 

(SECY–13–0045; ADAMS 

No. ML13046A329), which 

the Commission approved. 

The SRM was issued on 

August 13, 2013 (ADAMS 

No. ML13225A473). A 

revised rule package was sent 

back to the Commission for 

review. The direct final rule 

and companion proposed 

rule will likely be published 

for public comment in late 

summer 2014.

Peti

PRM–72–7–NEI Petition – 

CoC Format and Content

The petition, submitted by Anthony 

Pietrangelo, on behalf of the 

Nuclear Energy Institute, requested 

that the NRC amend its 

10 CFR Part 72 regulations to 

add a new rule governing 

spent nuclear fuel storage cask 

Certificate of Compliance (CoC) 

format and content, extend the 

applicability of the backfit rule to 

CoCs, and make other changes.  

The petitioner raised six issues 

to improve the efficiency of the 

licensing and oversight of spent fuel 

dry cask storage.

The receipt and request of 

the petition was published 

in the Federal Register on 

February 5, 2013, for a 75–

day public comment period 

(78 FR 8050). Notice of 

resolution of the petition will 

be published in July 2014.
July 2014

12

PRM 32–8 – Campco 

Petition

CampCo submitted a petition for 

rulemaking (PRM 32–8) requesting 

the NRC to amend regulations to 

allow commercial distribution of 

tritium markers.

The receipt and request of 

the petition was published in 

Federal Register on 

July 11, 2013, for a 75-day 

public comment period 

(78 FR 41720). 

POLICY

Tribal Policy Statement The tribal policy statement 

development will describe how 

to interact effectively with Native 

American tribes.

The staff sent the Commission a Tribal Policy Statement in January 10, 2014 

(SECY-14-0006; ADAMS No. 

ML13317B141). The policy 

statement will likely be 

published for public comment 

in late summer 2014.

PRE-RU

10 CFR Part 20 – ICRP 

Recommendations 

The rulemaking would revise 

10 CFR Part 20.

FSME is developing technical 

issue papers and will publish 

them for stakeholder’s 

comment in 2014.

TO OUR 

Thank you for your interest in our newsletter. In our attempt to keep the FSME News Link 

relevant, we welcome feedback on its contents. If you would like to suggest topics for the 

newsletter, please contact Vanessa Cox, FSME Rulemaking and Project Management Branch, 

by telephone at 301–415–8342 or by e-mail at Vanessa.Cox@nrc.gov. In addition, to ensure 

proper delivery of the FSME News Link and to prevent any interruption of service, please 

report e-mail address changes to Ms. Cox at FSME_Newsletter@nrc.gov.

Please send written correspondence to the following address: 

Vanessa Cox, Editor FSME Licensee Newsletter

Office of Federal and State Materials and

Environmental Management Programs

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Two White Flint North, Mail Stop: T–8–F42

Washington, DC 20555–0001