[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53839-53840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27424]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Evaluation of Agreement State Radiation Control Programs

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Implementation of the Integrated Materials Performance 
Evaluation Program and rescission of a final general statement of 
policy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is implementing the 
Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP) for the 
evaluation of Agreement State programs. NRC is rescinding the May 28, 
1992, General Statement of Policy ``Guidelines for NRC Review of 
Agreement State Radiation Control Programs, 1992,'' since it is now 
superseded.
    The NRC has issued the final policy statements: ``Statement of 
Principles and Policy for the Agreement State Program'' and ``Policy 
Statement on the Adequacy and Compatibility of Agreement State 
Programs,'' (See 62 FR 46517; September 3, 1997). Conforming revisions 
to IMPEP in connection with these two policy statements have been 
completed and are reflected in the implementing procedure, Management 
Directive 5.6, Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program.


[[Page 53840]]


EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may obtain a single copy of Management 
Directive 5.6 by contacting Nancy Belmore, Office of State Programs, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Document Control Desk, P1-37, 
Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301)-415-2326.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen N. Schneider, Office of State 
Programs, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Document Control Desk, 
P1-37, Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301)-415-2320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1995, NRC implemented, on an interim 
basis, a process to evaluate NRC regional licensing and inspection 
programs and Agreement State radiation control programs that regulate 
the use of radioactive materials in an integrated manner using common 
performance indicators (see 60 FR 54734; October 25, 1995). The NRC 
staff conducted the interim program using Management Directive 5.6, 
``Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program'' dated September 
12, 1995. On June 30, 1997, the Commission approved SECY-97-054, Final 
Recommendations on Policy Statements and Implementing Procedures for: 
``Statement of Principles and Policy for the Agreement State Program'' 
and ``Policy Statement on the Adequacy and Compatibility of Agreement 
State Programs.'' NRC is implementing IMPEP with the corresponding 
revisions as a result of the final policy statements. The revised 
Management Directive is currently being prepared in final form to 
incorporate the final policy statements and comments received during 
interim implementation of IMPEP from the Regions and the Agreement 
States.
    NRC is rescinding the May 28, 1992, ``NRC Review of Agreement State 
Radiation Control Programs: Final General Statement of Policy,'' on 
October 1, 1997. This policy is superseded by IMPEP, which is no longer 
considered an interim program.

SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT FAIRNESS ACT: In accordance with 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, the NRC 
has determined that Management Directive 5.6 is not a major rule and 
has verified this determination with the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget.

    Dated at Rockville Maryland this 7th day of October, 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John C. Hoyle,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-27424 Filed 10-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P