1Uranium Recovery LicensingActivitiesLarry W. CamperDirectorDivision of Waste Management andEnvironmental Protection2Organization3URLB Staff• Bill von Till, Chief• Ron Linton, Sr. Hydrogeologist/PM• Mike Fliegel, Sr. PM• Stephen J. Cohen,Hydrogeologist/PM• Elise Striz, Hydrogeologist• Douglas Mandeville, GeotechnicalEngineer• Betty Garrett, Licensing Assistant• James Webb, Health Physicist• Dan Gillen, Consultant• Rick Weller, Consultant• Hydrogeologist, TBD• Hydrogeologist, TBD• Health Physicist, TBD• Health Physicist, TBD• Team Leader, TBD4Environmental Review Branch Staff• Gregory Suber, Chief• Jeannette Arce, Geologist• Alan Bjornsen, PM• Allen Fetter, PM• Gloria Colessa, Team Leader• Kellee Jameson, NSPDP• Johari Moore, PM• James Park, PM• Ernesto Quinones-Padovani, PM• Christianne Ridge, Sr. PM• Behram Shroff, PM• Patricia Swain, PM• Project Manager, TBD• Licensing Assistant, TBD5Current Status• Interest in US Uranium Recovery High• International Phenomenon• International Forum on SustainableOptions for Uranium Production(IFSOUP)• Initiation of GEIS6Current Status (cont’d.)• ISL Rulemaking• Licensing Hearings• Applicant Meetings• Congressional Inquiries• Update Regulatory Guides7ISL Rulemaking40 CFR 144 – 146EPA UICExisting10 CFR 40, Appendix ACriterion 5B(5), 40 CFR 192referencesStandard for Conv. MillRemains 5B(5)Criterion 14 (New)PreoperationalOperationalRestoration 14(f)RequirementsEPA UIC & Criterion 14NUREG- 1569LicenseConditionsISL Ground Water Standards8Uranium Project SummaryFacility QuantityNew ISL Facility 14New Conventional Mill 7Combined ISL-Conv. 1ISL Expansion 7ISL Restart 1Conventional Restart 1TOTAL 319034211530300246810121416FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY2011Restarts/ExpansionsNew FaciltiesUranium Project Summary (cont’d.)10Company Site Design type Estimated Application Date State Letter of IntentCogema Christensen Ranch ISL - Restart Received April 2007 WY NoneCameco (Crow Butte Resources, Inc.) North Trend ISL - Expansion Received June 2007 NE NoneCameco (Crow Butte Resources, Inc.) Plant Upgrade ISL - Expansion Rec. 10/06, Comp. 12/07 NE NoneLost Creek ISR, LLC Lost Creek ISL - New Received October 2007 WY05/23/07Uranerz Energy Corp. Hank and Nichols ISL - New Received December 2007 WY06/27/07Uranium One (Energy Metals Corporation ) Moore Ranch ISL - New Received October 2007 WY05/31/07Uranium One (Energy Metals Corporation ) Jab and Antelope ISL - New Mid FY 08 WY05/31/07Cameco (Power Resources, Inc.) Gas Hills ISL - Expansion Mid FY 08 WY03/20/08Kennecott Uranium Co. Sweetwater Resin Elution - Expansion Mid FY 08 WY03/20/08Cameco (Crow Butte Resources, Inc.) Three Crow ISL - Expansion FY 09 NE03/20/08Lost Creek ISR, LLC Lost Creek ISL - Expansion FY09 WY03/21/08Powertech Uranium Corporation Dewey Burdock ISL - New FY 09 SD01/26/07Cameco (Power Resources, Inc.) Smith Ranch/Highland CPP ISL - Expansion Mid FY 09 WY03/20/08Cameco (Power Resources, Inc.) North Butte ISL - Expansion Mid FY 09 WY03/20/08Strathmore Minerals Corporation Roca Honda Conv. - New FY 09 NM04/23/07Strathmore Minerals Corporation Sky ISL - New FY 09 WY05/11/07UR-Energy Corp. Lost Soldier ISL - New Mid FY 09 WY03/20/08Uranium Resources, Inc. Ambrosia Lake Conv. - Restart Mid FY 09 NM03/21/08Uranium Energy Corporation Grants Ridge Heap Leach - New FY 09 NM02/22/08Uranerz Energy Corporation Collins Draw ISL - New FY 09 WY03/20/08Rio Grande Resources Mt. Taylor Conv. - New FY 09 NM03/21/08Uranium One (Energy Metals Corporation ) Ludeman ISL - New FY 09 WY03/20/08Uranium One (Energy Metals Corporation ) Allemand-Ross ISL - New FY 09 WY03/20/08Wildhorse Energy West Alkali Creek ISL - New FY 09 WY03/20/08Concentric Yavapai County Conv. - New FY 09 AZ03/20/08Cameco (Power Resources, Inc.) Ruby Ranch ISL - New FY 10 WY03/20/08Neutron Energy Marquez Conv. - New FY 10 NM03/25/08Strathmore Minerals Corporation Reno Creek ISL - New FY 10 WY03/21/08Strathmore Minerals Corporation Gas Hills Conv. - New FY 11 WY03/21/2008Bayswater Uranium Corporation Alzada ISL - New FY11 MT03/27/2008Wildhorse Energy Sweetwater ISL and Conv. - New FY 11 WY-312110Total Restart/Expansion Uranium Recovery Applications =4 year projected total reviews =Total New Uranium Recovery Applications =Fiscal 2011 ApplicationsExpected Uranium Recovery Facility Applications / Restarts / ExpansionsFiscal 2007 ApplicationsFiscal 2010 ApplicationsFiscal 2008 ApplicationsFiscal 2009 ApplicationsUranium Project Summary (cont’d.)11Credible Letters of Intent• Signed by a Corporate Officer• Include a Specific Submission Date andLocation• Preliminary Work Completed To Date:– Exploration– Site Characterization– Other Steps to Assure Submission Date isMet12Industry Actions• NMA Environmental Report for GEIS• 3 Applications for New Facilities Received• 3 Applications for Expansions or RestartsReceived• 27 Letters of Intent/27 Projects13Status of Applications• New Facility Applications– 2 Acceptance Reviews Complete– 1 Acceptance Review in Progress– 2 Technical Reviews in Progress• Expansions/Restarts– 1 Amendment Issued– 2 Technical Reviews in Progress14Lessons Learned• Radiation Protection Must be ProperlyAddressed• Hydrogeology• NRC Budget Cycle• Peak Licensing Activity in 2009-201015The Future• Stakeholder Outreach• Beyond FY2011• Future Congressional interaction• Hearings16Challenges• New License Applications• Attrition & Recruitment• Consistency with Staff Contacts• ISL Rulemaking• Potential Re-starts and Upgrades• Fully Address Stakeholder Concerns• Potential for Hearings17Conclusions• Reviewing Applications and ProcessingSERs• Addressing Resource Shortfalls• Licensing Casework Has Grown• GEIS Has Drawn Mixed Reviews18Conclusions• We Are Prepared• We Utilize an Open Process• Stakeholder Concerns are Addressed• Regulatory Actions will Result in SafeActivities1NRC’s Uranium RecoveryInspection Program2008 NMA/NRC Uranium Recovery WorkshopApril 30, 2008Linda M. Gersey, Health PhysicistNRC RIV2Discussion Topics• Inspection Frequency• Summary of 2007 Inspection Findings• Inspection Fees and Billing Policy• Administrative Changes to Licenses• Regional Management Changes3Inspection Frequencies• 2 Manual Chapters govern the URinspection program– MC 2641: In-Situ Leach Uranium Recovery– MC 2801: Uranium Mill Sites4Inspection Frequencies, cont.MC 2641 (ISLs only)• Producing ISLs (2 facilities)– Normal: 6 months– Extended: 12 months• Standby or Inactive ISLs (1 facility)– Normal: 1 year– Extended: 3 years• ISLs in Restoration (none)– Normal: 1 year– Extended: 3 years5Inspection Frequencies, cont.MC 2801 (conventional mills)• Through 2006, Region IV conducted UR inspectionswith the following frequencies:– once per year at selected facilities– every 2 years at facilities in reclamation and standby– every 3 years at inactive sites• Beginning in 2007, Region IV began conducting URinspections in accordance with the specified frequencyin MC 2801 or 2641– For example, RIV plans to reducethe 3 year interval to 2 yearsto agree with MC 2801 and MC2800 (materials) guidance6Inspection Frequencies, cont.• Number of UR Inspections Performed byRegion IV– 2006: 7– 2007: 11 (plus 2 site visits)– 2008: 9 planned (plus 2-3 site visits)– 2009 and beyond: 12 minimum planned– Pre-licensing visits and constructioninspections will be conducted morefrequently in the future7Summary of 2007 Inspection Findings• FY2007 (Oct 2006-Sept 2007)• 5 violations– Failure to post radiation area– Failure to implement groundH2O monitoring– Failure to perform settlement monitoring– Exceedance of annual production limits– Expired waste disposal agreement8Summary of 2007 Inspection Findings,cont.• 4 Licensee Event Reports– 2 significant spills– 1 groundwater excursion– 1 exceedance of annual radon flux limit ontailing pile• 1 Unresolved item– Shipping of empty containers9Summary of 2007 Inspection Findings,cont.• 3 Non-Cited Violations– Failure to use a RWP resulting in a uraniumintake by employee– Failure to survey a container prior toshipment– Failure to collect all monitoring well samples10Licensee Fees10 CFR 170.31 Schedule of MaterialsFees• 2 categories of UR licensees in use• Cat 2.A(2)(b) for Active UR Facilities• Cat 14.A for UR facilities inDecommissioning• Both categories are “full cost” recovery11Licensee Fees, cont.• Full cost recovery– Billed for hourly inspection and licensingactions taken• Different from annual fee12Licensee Fees, cont.• Who is billable?– Qualified inspectors (inspections, reports)– Project Managers (licensing, reviews)– Specialists (hydrogeologists)• Branch Chief (no charge to licensee)– BC observes inspectors and tours the site• Hourly rate of $258 (will probably changeto $238/hr)13Licensee Fees, cont.Annual Fees• For Operating UR Facilities only• 10 CFR 171.6 2.A.(2)(b) Class II facilities• Currently $18,700 annual14EXAMPLE: Operating ISL Facilities– Annual Fee 10 CFR 171.16– Category 2.A(2)(b) Class II Facilities– Currently = $18,700AND– Hourly Rate for inspection and licensing actions– Currently $258/hr (soon to be $238/hr)Licensee Fees, cont.15Licensee Fees, cont.EXAMPLE:Former UR Sites in Decommissioning– 10 CFR 170.31 Cat 14.A– No annual fee– Charged for inspection and licensingactivities at hourly rate $258/hour16Licensee Fees, cont.• Proposed annual fee rule published everyJanuary• Licensees have a chance to comment!• Revised rule usually becomes effectiveJuly or August of each year17Licensee Fees, cont.Billing ContactBilly Blaney, NRC HQ(301) 415-509218Administrative Changes to Licenses• Clean up your license!• Do you know what your license commitsyou to?• Submit changes during other necessaryamendments (i.e. annual financialassurance update)• Save time for license reviewers and costsavings for licensee19UR Reports to a New Branch in RIVNuclear Materials Safety Branch-BJack E. Whitten, Chief(817) 860-8197Also:– Bob Evans, Sr. Health Physicist(817) 860-8234– Linda Gersey, Health Physicist(817) 860-8299STATUS OF RULEMAKING: GROUNDWATERPROTECTION ATIN SITULEACH (ISL) URANIUMEXTRACTION FACILITIESRon Linton, Project Manager/HydrogeologistUranium Recovery Licensing BranchU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission2IntroductionI. Rulemaking activitiesII. Rulemaking scheduleIII. Items of interest3I. Rulemaking: 2006• Commission Direction: SRM-COMJSM-06-0001,March 24, 2006– Directed staff to initiate rulemaking• Specifically tailored to groundwater protection at ISLs• Focus on elimination of dual regulation• Defer active regulation of groundwater programs– Required proposed rule to Commission by January 2007– Directed staff to discuss implementation of interimmeasures with stakeholders• Pursue MOUs with states• Exercise enforcement discretion4I. Rulemaking: 2006(cont.)• June 14, 2006 – First rule working group meeting– NRC staff and OAS staff working group members• June 20, 2006 – NRC letter to EPA– NRC requests EPA confirm UIC rules are the appropriatestandards• June 29, 2006 – Public meeting and workshop onrulemaking– Following NMA/NRC Workshop• August 3, 2006 – EPA/NRC meeting– EPA letter to NRC expressing concern using UICregulations as standards for rule5I. Rulemaking: 2006(cont.)• August 15, 2006 – EPA/NRC meeting on NRCproposed rulemaking path– EPA did not agree on UIC regulations as basis forgroundwater protection– UMTRCA regulations are appropriate 40 CFR Part192 and 10 CFR Part 40, Appendix A– Regulation of ISLs under UIC program innonauthorized States• September 16, 2006 – Working group meeting• November 28, 2006– Commission informed6I. Rulemaking: 2007• February 12, 2007 – Briefing of ACNW Status ofISL Rule– Discuss EPA concerns• February 21, February 26 and March 12, 2007 -EPA/NRC meetings– Rule language and path forward– Restoration standard Appendix A, Criterion 5– Use of UIC language– Table 5c: Out-of-date for some constituents7I. Rulemaking: 2007(cont.)• March 15, 2007–EPA/NRC/NMA public meeting– Discuss EPA concerns using UIC restoration standardsrelayed to industry– Review Appendix A as the primary standard (backgroundor MCL)– Review Appendix A as the secondary standard (ACLs)• March 28, 2007–EPA/NRC meeting• April 10, 2007–ACNW briefing• April 30, 2007–COMSECY 07-0015– NRC staff proposed path forward for rulemaking ongroundwater protection at ISLs• May 9, 2007–ACNW letter on rulemaking toChairman with recommendations8I. Rulemaking: 2007(cont.)• June 8, 2007 – SRM COMSECY 07-0015, “PathForward For Rulemaking On Groundwater Protection AtIn Situ Leach Uranium Extraction Facilities”– The Commission approved resumption of the rulemakingprocess for groundwater protectionat ISL facilities to conformto 40 CFR Part 192– The Commission required the staff to−• Engage interested stakeholders through public workshops• Work closely and cooperatively with EPA• Remain diligent in working with EPA and appropriate Statesto establish appropriate standards to protect public health,safety and the environment• Reduce and preferably eliminate dual regulation9I. Rulemaking: 2007(cont.)• August 6 and September 12, 2007–ISL ruleworking group meeting– Working group expanded to include EPA & CRCPD– Draft of rule• October 24 and December 5, 2007–EPA/NRCmeetings– Groundwater restoration language from Appendix A– UIC rule language can be used in new ISL rule– How to keep Table 5c up-to-date• December 17, 2007 – ACNW&M briefing on ISLrule status10I. Rulemaking: 2008• 1/24/08 – EPA/NRC meeting– Issues resolved• 2/21/08 – ISL working group meeting– Continued work on draft rule language• Current – Memorandum on Status ofDevelopment of Proposed Rule forGroundwater Protection at In Situ LeachUranium Recovery Facilities• Current – Draft Statement of Considerations11II. Rulemaking Schedule• Proposed rule to Agreement States – July2008• Proposed rule to Commission – October2008• Proposed rule published – January 2009?• Stakeholder workshops during commentperiod12• Definitions• Site characterization• Pre-operational monitoring• Well field design and construction requirements• Operating, monitoring, and reporting requirements• Mechanical integrity• Post-operational groundwater quality restoration• Plugging and abandonment• Corrective actionIII. Items of InterestRule Topics13III. Items of Interest• Restoration based on 40 CFR Part 192 and 10CFR Part 40, Appendix A• Use of NUREG-1569 and UIC language• Groundwater protection for uppermost aquifer• Table 5c vs. current EPA MCLs• NRC will update guidance in NUREG-156914

### P A T H W A Y T O A U R A N I U M M I L L L I C E N S E

– A N I N D U S T R Y P E R S P E C T I V E

A l a n K u h n

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P r i n c i p a l P r o f

e s s i o n a l

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F o r o v e r a q u a r t e r c e n t u r y

, n o o n e t h o u g h t s e r i o u s l y a b o u t l i c e n s i n g a n e w u r a n i u m m i l l

. C o n s e q u e n t l y

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w e r e c l o s e d a n d t h e i n d u s t r y s t r u g g l e d t o s u s t a i n a p u l s e

. N o w t h e h e a r t b e a t o f u r a n i u m h a s

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, a n d t h e i n d u s t r y w a n t s n e w m i l l s

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e x i s t i n g r u l e s f

o r l i c e n s i n g a n e w c o n v e n t i o n a l m i l l

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. O t h e r N R C d o c u m e n t s p r o v i d e s p e c i f i c g u i d a n c e r e l a t e d t o l i c e n s i n g a n d m i l l

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a n d B a s e l i n e S t u d i e s

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A p p l i c a t i o n S u b m i t t a l

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O p e r a t i o n P l a n T a s k 5

E n v i r o n m e n t a l

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M i l l F a c i l i t y a n d

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D e c o m m i s s i o n i n g

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– T h e S i x

- T a s k A p p r o a c h t o U r a n i u m M i l l L i c e n s i n gT h e s i x t a s k s a r e :

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• T o p o g r a

p h i c b a s e m a p

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, D e m o g r a p h i c

, E n v i r o n m e n t a l J u s t i c e s t u d i e s

• G e o l o g i c a n d g e o t e c h n i c a l c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n

• G r o u n d

w a t e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n s

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a c t e r i z a t i o n

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y s a m p l i n g

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- o f

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p l i n g

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• W i l d l i f e s u r v e y s a n d B i o t a S a m

p l i n g

• A r c h e o l o g i c a l a n d C u l t u r a l s u r v e y s

• R a d i o l o g i c a l s u r

v e y

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I t a l i c i z e d a c t i v i t i e s r e q u i r e d a t a c o l l e c t i o n o v e r a 1 2

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.

2

. M i l l F a c i l i t i e s D e s i g n

• W a t e r b a l a n c e

• M i l l c i r c u i t

• T a i l i n g c o n t a i n m e n t

3

. O p e r a t i o n s P l a n n i n g

• A i r a n d r a d i o l o g i c a l m o d e l i n g

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• N o n

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4

. D e c o m m i s s i o n i n g a n d C l o s u r e P l a n n i n g

• M i l l d e c o n t a m i n a t i o n a n d d e m o l i t i o n

• T a i l i n g s t a

b i l i z a t i o n a n d c l o s u r e

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. E n v i r o n m e n t a l R e p o r t P r e p a r a t i o n

• D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e s i t e

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• P r o p o s e d a n d a l t e r n a t i v e a c t i o n s

• I m p a c t s a n d m i t i g a t i o n s

6

. A p p l i c a t i o n S u b m i t t a l a n d A p p r o v a l

• A g e n c y i n t e r a c t i o n s

• O t h e r p e r m i t s

• P u b l i c i n v o l v e m e n t

T h e t a s k s a

r e s t r u c t u r e d f

o r e a c h s i t e i n t h e S u m m a r y W o r k P l a n

, a n d e a c h a c t i v i t y i n v o l v i n g

o r i g i n a l d a t a c o l l e c t i o n i s c o n d u c t e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h a t a s k W o r k P l a n

. E a c h W o r k P l a n

i n c l u d e s a d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e p u r p o s e a n d s c o p e o f t h e a c t i v i t y ; t h e d a t a q u a l i t y o b j e c t i v e s ;t e c h n i c a l p r o c e d u r e s t o b e u s e d ; a n d q u a l i t y a s s u r a n c e r e q u i r e m e n t s i n c l u d i n g p e r s o n n e l

q u a l i f i c a t i o n s

, d o c u m e n t a t i o n

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.

T h e t a s k s a r e p e r f

o r m e d g e n e r a l l y i n s e r i a l o r d e r

, b u t s u b s t a n t i a l o v e r l a p o c c u r s

, a n d c o n s i d e r a b l e

t i m e c a n b e s a v e d b y c o n d u c t i n g s o m e t a s k e l e m e n t s i n p a r a l l e l

. A c r i t i c a l p a t h

, w h i c h c a n v a r y

f r o m o n e p r o

j e c t t o a n o t h e r

, i s d e f

i n e d t h r o u g h t h e s i x t a s k s

. T h e c r i t i c a l p a t h i s s e t b y t i m e

c r i t i c a l b a s e l i n e d a t a c o l l e c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s t h r o u g h T a s k 1

, b u t i t i s m o r e v a r i a b l e a n d s i t e

- s p e c i f i c

t h r o u g h T a s k s 2

- 5 u n t i l i t t r a c k s t h e r e g u l a t o r y a p p r o v a l p a t h t h r o u g h T a s k 6

. I n t h e b e s t

- c a s e

s c e n a r i o

, T a s k 1 r e q u i r e s 1 5 m o n t h s a n d t h e t o t a l t i m e f r o m b e g i n n i n g o f T a s k 1 t h r o u g h i s s u a n c e

o f a m i l l l i c e n s e i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y f o u r y e a r s

. M a n y f

a c t o r s c a n c a u s e t h e t i m e

- l i n e t o e x t e n d

b e y o n d f o u r y e a r s

. W h i l e s o m e o f t h e s e f a c t o r s a r e b e y o n d t h e a p p l i c a n t ’ s c o n t r o l

, t h e l i c e n s i n g

t i m e

- l i n e c a n b e s h o r t e n e d b y s e v e r a l m e a s u r e s

, a s i l l u s t r a t e d i n F i g u r e 2 :

• C o n s u l t i n g e a

r l y a n d f r e q u e n t l y w i t h t h e r e g u l a t o r y a g e n c i e s

• I n i t i a t i n g t i m e

- c r i t i c a l b a s e l i n e d a t a c o l l e c t i o n a s e a r l y a s p o s s i b l e

• P e r f o r m i n g t a s k s i n p a r a l l e l

• T a k i n g t h e i n i t i a t i v e i n p r o p o s i n g c o u r s e s o f a c t i o n t o t h e r e g u l a t o r s

• I m p l e m e n t i n g a p r o

- a c t i v e p u b l i c i n v o l v e m e n t p r o g r a m

M I L L

L I C E N S E 

### S u m m a r y W o r k P l a n C o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e

r e g u l a t o r s e a r l y

, o f t e n T a k e t h e

I n i t i a t i v e



### T i m e

- c r i t i c a l A c t i v i t i e s

P e r f o r m T a s k s i n P a r a l l e l

E a r l y S t a k e h o l d e r

I n v o l v e m e n t 

### W o r k P l a n s

F i g u r e 2

– F a c i l i t a t i n g t h e U r a n i u m M i l l L i c e n s i n g P r o c e s s

T h e N R C a n d a g r e e m e n t s t a t e s r u l e s a n d g u i d e l i n e s a r e c l e a r i n t h e p r i o r i t i e s o f m i l l l i c e n s e s

–

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### .1James ParkProject ManagerEnvironmental Review BranchThe Uranium RecoveryGeneric Environmental ImpactStatement2Objectives•Background•Stakeholder Issues•Approach•AddressingStakeholder Issues•Path Forward3Background•Situation•Basis: CEQ Regulations–“Broad Actions” [40 CFR 1502.4(a) – (d)]–Tiering [40 CFR 1502.20 and 1508.28]•Notice of Intent (July 24, 2007)•Scoping Period (July 24 – November30, 2007)4Issues Identified By Stakeholders•Affected environment andenvironmental impacts are notgeneric•Site-specific environmentalreviews will be cursory•Public participation will belimited in site-specificenvironmental reviews5Approach•Describe and evaluate environmentalimpacts from in-situ leach uraniumrecovery process•For site-specific environmentaldocuments–Incorporate by reference GEISbackground information–Apply GEIS conclusions to the extentapplicable6Approach (cont’d.)•Describe affected environment andevaluate impacts on a regional basis•4 regions identified•Address environmental resourceareas identified in NUREG-17487Addressing Stakeholder Issues•Regional approach to assessingenvironmental impacts•Comprehensive site-specificreviews that apply GEISconclusions as applicable•NRC commitment to issue draftEAs for public comment8Path Forward•Issue draft GEIS for publiccomment•Hold meetings to receive publiccomments•Address public comments inpreparation of final GEIS•Issue final GEIS9Questions04/21/20081Thompson & Simmons, PLLCKeys to the Nuclear RegulatoryKeys to the Nuclear RegulatoryCommission Hearing Process forCommission Hearing Process forUranium Recovery FacilitiesUranium Recovery FacilitiesPrepared for the Annual National MiningPrepared for the Annual National MiningAssociation/Nuclear Regulatory Conference on UraniumAssociation/Nuclear Regulatory Conference on UraniumRecoveryRecoveryDenver, Colorado (2008)Denver, Colorado (2008)Prepared by Christopher S. Pugsley, Esq.Prepared by Christopher S. Pugsley, Esq.Thompson & Simmons, PLLCThompson & Simmons, PLLC04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC2IntroductionIntroduction•Uranium Recovery Companies SeekingLicenses or License Amendments inNon-Agreement States for the FollowingWill Require Nuclear RegulatoryCommission (NRC) Approval:•Uranium Recovery Licenses for New ConventionalMills or In Situ Recovery Projects;•Restart of Existing Facilities on Standby;•License Amendments to Construct and/or OperateNew Projects on Licensed Sites04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC3IntroductionIntroduction•New Project, Project Restart, and Construction ofNew Project Facilities Potentially May Be Subject toan Administrative Hearing;•NRC Administrative Hearings for Uranium Recoveryare Subject to New Hearing Procedures That DifferGreatly from Those Used in Prior Hearings Such As:•Hydro Resources, Inc. (Crownpoint Uranium Project)•International Uranium (USA) Corporation (now “DenisonMines”) Alternate Feed License Amendments04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC4Development of New ProceduresDevelopment of New Procedures•Prior to 2003, NRC Administrative Hearingsfor Uranium Recovery Projects WereConsidered “Informal Hearings” With SeveralDistinct Characteristics:•10 CFR Part 2, Subpart L Regulations;•Two-Three Judge Panels Consisting of a PresidingOfficer and Special Technical Assistants;•All Pleadings and Argument, Unless Otherwise Ordered,Submitted in Writing;•Discovery Expressly Prohibited04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC5Development of New ProceduresDevelopment of New Procedures•After 2003, New NRC AdministrativeHearings Are Still Considered“Informal,” But:•10 CFR Part 2, Subpart G & Subpart LProcedures;•While Some Filings are Written, UnlessOtherwise Agreed Upon by the Parties, theProceedings are Oral;•Limited Discovery Allowed04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC6Hearing ProcessHearing Process•To Best Understand NRC’s New HearingProcedures, a Critical Path for a ModelHearing Should be Assessed:•Preliminary Matters;•Hearing Request;•Standing & Admissible Contentions;•Preliminary Motions;•Mandatory Disclosures;•Witness Testimony;•Initial Decision;•Appeals04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC7Preliminary Matters: ProperPreliminary Matters: ProperServiceService•Proper Service of Documents:•Commission Policy Dictates that ALL FILINGSShall be SubmittedThrough NRC’s E-Filing System;•The Presiding Officer and/or the Commission May Issue OrdersPermitting Alternative Methods of Service:–First Class Mail;–Courier/Express Mail;•Filing is Considered Complete When:–Electronic Submission is Sent (i.e., Last Act Necessary to TransmitDocuments Electronically);–Deposit of Hard Copy in Mail;–All Methods of Filing are Complete in the Case of MultipleMethods of Filing(i.e., Electronic & Hard Copy)04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC8Preliminary Matters: ProperPreliminary Matters: ProperServiceService•Proper Service of Documents:•Documents Are Considered Timely Filed WhenSubmitted By:•5:00 pm for Documents Submitted in Person orBy Expedited Service;•11:59 pm for Documents Filed Electronically•NOTE:THE PRESIDING OFFICER CAN CHANGEANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC9Preliminary Matters: DocumentPreliminary Matters: DocumentRequirementsRequirements•NRC Has Imposed Specific Requirements forDocuments: All Documents Must Have:•Appropriate Docket Number and Caption;•Certificate of Service;•Margins of Not Less Than One Inch;•Appropriate Signature WithStatement of Authority:•Electronic Documents Must Have Phrase “Signed By”•Paper Documents:•Stapled or Bound on Upper Left Side;•Ink Signature04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC10Preliminary Matters:Preliminary Matters:Computation of TimeComputation of Time•Standard Time Computation Running Fromthe Day After Filing to the Due Date AppliesExcept if the Last Day Falls on:•Weekend Day;•Federal Legal Holiday;•Emergency Federal Government Closure Day•NOTE:ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION: IFYOU DO NOT KNOW WHETHER A DAY FALLS ON ONEOF THE ABOVE, FILE THE DOCUMENTS THE LAST DAYNOTED ABOVE04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC11Hearing RequestHearing Request•An NRC Administrative Hearing Can Only BeTriggered Upon a Request for a Hearing from anInterested Stakeholder:•Member(s) of the Public;•Organizations or Groups;•Governmental Entities;–Cities;–Counties;–States;–Tribes•Hearing Requests Must Meet Explicit RegulatoryRequirements04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC12StandingStanding•In Order to Be Granted an NRC Administrative Hearing, a ProposedIntervenor Must Demonstrate Standing Under NRC Regulations (10CFR §2.309(d)):–Traditional Tenets of Standing;•Injury-in-Fact;•Causal Nexus;•Redressibility–A request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene must state:•(i) The name, address and telephone number of the requestor or petitioner;•(ii) The nature of the requestor's/petitioner's right under the Act to be made aparty to the proceeding;•(iii) The nature and extent of the requestor's/petitioner's property, financial orother interest inthe proceeding; and•(iv) The possible effect ofany decision or order thatmay be issued in theproceeding on the requestor's/petitioner's interest.04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC13StandingStanding•Standing May Be Demonstrated as Follows:–Standing as a Matter of Injury-in-Fact(Traditional);–Standing Based on “Proximity-Plus:”•Presumption in Reactor Cases,Not Materials Cases;•Materials Case Standard: “Significant Source ofRadioactivity Producing an Obvious Potential for OffsiteConsequences”–Representational or Group Standing04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC14Admissibility of ContentionsAdmissibility of Contentions•A Proposed Intervenor Also Must Offer at Least OneAdmissible Contention to beGranted a Hearing (10 CFR §2.309(f):–A request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene must setforthwith particularitythe contentions sought to be raised. Foreach contention, the request or petition must:–(i) Provide a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to beraised or controverted,provided further,that the issue of law orfact to be raised in a request for hearing under 10 CFR 52.103(b)must be directed at demonstrating that one or more of theacceptance criteria in the combined license have not been, or willnot be met, and that the specific operational consequences ofnonconformance would be contrary to providing reasonableassurance of adequate protection of the public health and safety;–(ii) Provide a brief explanation of the basis for the contention;04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC15Admissibility of ContentionsAdmissibility of ContentionsAdmissible Contentions (Continued):–(iii) Demonstrate that the issueraised in the contention iswithin the scope of the proceeding;–(iv) Demonstrate that the issueraised in the contention ismaterial to the findings the NRC must make to support theaction that is involved in the proceeding;–(v) Provide a concise statement of the alleged facts orexpert opinions which support the requestor's/petitioner'sposition on the issue and on which the petitioner intends torely at hearing;•Provide references to the specific sources and documents onwhich the requestor/petitioner intends to rely to support itsposition on the issue;04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC16Interlocutory Review ofInterlocutory Review ofStanding/Contentions DeterminationsStanding/Contentions Determinations•Appeals of Determinations RegardingStanding & Contentions Are Permitted:•Appeals Must be Filed Within 10 Days ofService of an Order RegardingStanding/Contentions;•Response to Appeals Must Be Filed Within 10Days of Service of the Appeal:–All Appeals Must Have aNotice of Appeal andAccompanying Legal Brief04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC17Preliminary MotionsPreliminary Motions•As a Matter of Regulation, Parties areEntitled to File Preliminary Motions:•All Motions Must Be Filed No More Than 10 Days Afterthe Act Which is Being Addressed;•All Responses to Motions Must Be Filed Within 10 Daysof Service of a Motion•NOTE:10 CFR § 2.323 REQUIRES THAT THE MOVINGPARTY OR COUNSEL CERTIFY THAT A SINCEREEFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO RESOLVE THE SUBJECTOF THE MOTION04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC18Preliminary MotionsPreliminary Motions•Other Motions May Be Filed in These Proceedings:•Motion for Stay:–Stay the Effectiveness ofan NRC Staff Action;–Without an Actual Action, Motion for Stay is Premature;–Criteria for Stays Are Similarto Those Applied in Civil Cases;–Criteria for Stays AreDifficult to Satisfy•Motion for Summary Disposition:–Similar to Summary Judgment Motions in Civil Cases;•Motion for Cross-Examination:–Description of Issue–Objective to Be Achieved;–Proposed Line of Questioning04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC19Additional NotesAdditional Notes•Standing and Admissible Contentions AreNot Intended to Reach the Merits of aParticular Argument;•Threshold for Standing is Extremely Low;•Only One Admissible Contention Will Triggera Hearing Assuming Standing is Shown04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC20Administrative HearingsAdministrative Hearings•In the Event a Hearing is Granted, NRC hasDelineated Specific Procedures for theConduct of Such Hearings;•NRC’s New “Informal” Hearing RegulationsEncourage Advance Preparation by LicenseApplicants & Licensees;•A Thorough Understanding of the HearingProcedures and Required Submissions WillHelp Reduce Litigation Costs04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC21Preliminary DeterminationsPreliminary Determinations•Initially, an Applicant Must Determine Whether the RequestedLicensing Action Falls Under Subpart L:•New Projects or License Amendments Use Subpart L;•Direct or Indirect Change/Transfer of Control Applications Use Subpart M•If a Subpart L Hearing is Indicated, Then All Parties Must Agree onHearing Procedures:•Parties May Agree on the Use of Written Proceedings as inPre-2003 Hearings•NOTE:THE DEFAULT PRESUMPTION IS ORAL HEARINGS•The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) Will Then Appoint aPanel Consisting of a Presiding Officer (Administrative Law Judge)and at Least One Technical Assistant04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC22Preliminary FilingsPreliminary Filings•New Subpart C Regulations Require an Initial Mandatory Disclosuresor Discovery (10 CFR §2.336:General Discovery):•Within 30 Days of the Issuance of an Order Granting a Hearing,the FollowingMust Be Disclosed or Provided:–(1) The name and, if known, theaddress and telephone number of anyperson, including any expert, upon whose opinion the partybases its claimsand contentions and may rely upon as a witness, anda copy of the analysisor other authority upon which that person bases his or her opinion;–(2)(i) A copy, or a description by category and location, of all documentsand data compilations inthe possession, custody,or control of the partythat are relevant to the contentions,provided that if only a description isprovided of a document ordata compilation, a partyshall have the right torequest copies of that document and/or data compilation, and–(3) A list of documents otherwise required to be disclosed for which a claimof privilege or protectedstatus is beingmade, together with sufficientinformation for assessing theclaim of privilege orprotected status of thedocuments.•NOTE: IF DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE INOTHER PUBLIC SOURCES, MUSTSUBMIT LOCATION, TITLE,AND PAGE REFERENCE04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC23Preliminary FilingsPreliminary Filings•Important Notes Regarding InitialDisclosures/Discovery:•10 CFR § 2.336(d):Duty to Disclose is Ongoing (i.e.,Subsequently Developed or Obtained Documents orInformation Must Be Disclosed Within 14 Days);•10 CFR § 2.336(b):NRC Staff Has MandatoryDisclosures;•10 CFR § 2.336(f):Initial DisclosuresConstitute OnlyPermissible Discovery in Subpart L Hearings;•10 CFR § 2.1203:NRC Staff Must Develop & Submit aHearing File04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC24Hearing Submissions: WrittenHearing Submissions: WrittenTestimonyTestimony•All Parties are Required to File Initial WrittenStatements of Position and WrittenTestimony with Supporting Affidavits onDates Set by the Presiding Officer;•Within 20 Days of the Filing of InitialTestimony, Written Responses and RebuttalTestimony Due 20 Days from Service ofInitial Testimony04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC25Hearing Submissions: ProposedHearing Submissions: ProposedQuestionsQuestions•Questions Proposed by All Parties to Be Asked bythe Administrative Panel Must Be Submitted NoLater Than 20 After Submission of Initial Testimony;•Questions Proposed in Response to RebuttalTestimony Must Be Submitted No Later Than SevenDays After Service of the Rebuttal Testimony:•If Either of These Dates are Less Than 5 Days From the Date ofthe Oral Hearing, Then Questions Must Be Submitted No LaterThan 5 Days Prior to the Hearing Date04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC26Hearing Submissions: ProposedHearing Submissions: ProposedQuestionsQuestions•Important Notes Regarding Proposed Questions:•10 CFR § 2.1207(a)(3)(iii) & (b)(6): Proposed Questions are Asked Onlyby the Panel and NOT BY THE PARTIES (i.e., No Cross-Examination):•Parties Can Move for Cross-Examination:–Since Cross-Examinationis an Exception to the Hearing Procedures,Concern Lies With the Inability toAsk Spontaneous Questions & Level ofKnowledge of the Technical Aspects of UraniumRecovery by HearingPanel:•Licensees, License Applicants, NRC Staff Are Forced to AnticipateEvery Possible Scenario in Advance Rather Than Ask Questions ifIssues Are Raised at Oral Hearings•10 CFR § 2.1207(b)(5): A Witness Unable to Appear Can Submit WrittenTestimony But Will be Subject to Questions to be Answered in Writing04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC27Important Notes: SummaryImportant Notes: Summary•All Parties May Agree to Have a Hearing Based onWritten Submissions:•10 CFR § 2. 1206: If One Party is Not in Favor of a WrittenHearing, Then Default Assumption is Oral Hearing•Parties are Entitled to File Preliminary Motions:•10 CFR § 2.1213: Motion for Stay;•10 CFR § 2.1204(b):Motion for Cross-Examination•Interlocutory Appeals Continue to be Disfavored04/21/2008Thompson & Simmons, PLLC28ConclusionsConclusions•NRC’s Administrative Hearing Processes forUranium Recovery Facilities Are Just Now BeingTested;•As Applications Are Docketed & Hearings AreRequested, Additional Experience Will Assist in theEfficient Management of the Hearing Process;•License Applicants Should Prepare for PotentialHearings Well In Advance & Take Advantage of thePrescriptive Requirements Provided in 10 CFR Part 2