[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12254-12255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6479]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 27-47]


Consideration of an Amendment to a License for Disposal of Low-
Level Radioactive Waste Containing Special Nuclear Material by Chem-
Nuclear systems, Incorporated and Transfer of License to South 
Carolina, and an Opportunity for a Hearing

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering a 
request to amend License No. 12-13536-01. This license is issued to 
Chem-Nuclear Systems, Incorporated (CNSI) for the disposal of wastes 
containing special nuclear material (SNM) in the low-level radioactive 
waste (LLW) disposal facility, located near Barnwell, South Carolina. 
NRC licenses this facility under 10 CFR Part 70. The amendment would 
reduce the SNM possession limit of the license, and NRC would 
subsequently transfer the license to the State of South Carolina. South 
Carolina already regulates disposal of source and byproduct material at 
the Barnwell facility.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy E. Harris, Low-Level Waste and 
Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of Waste Management, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Telephone: 
(301) 415-6613. Fax.: (301) 415-5398.

Background: The LLW disposal facility located near Barnwell, South 
Carolina, is licensed by NRC for possession, storage, and disposal of 
SNM. The State of South Carolina licenses disposal of source and 
byproduct material at the facility. In correspondence dated December 
20, 1996, CNSI requested termination of its NRC SNM license. As 
justification for the request, CNSI noted a reduction in SNM-bearing 
waste volumes and the diminished cost effectiveness of the license. 
CNSI requested that the South Carolina Department of Environmental 
Control (SCDHEC) amend its South Carolina license to allow possession 
of up to 350 grams of SNM. Currently, the NRC license permits 
possession, storage, and disposal of greater than critical mass 
quantities of SNM, and acknowledges that the State-regulated source and 
byproduct disposal activities constitute the major site activities. 
Possession, storage, and disposal of less than critical mass quantities 
can be regulated by Agreement States, in accordance with 10 CFR Part 
150 (Exemptions and Continued Regulatory Authority in Agreement States 
and in Offshore Waters Under Section 274). Specifically, Sec. 150.11 
defines less than critical mass limits of SNM which can be regulated by 
Agreement States.
    To implement CNSI's request, NRC plans to amend the license to 
reduce the SNM possession limit to those specified in Sec. 150.11 and 
subsequently transfer the license to South Carolina. This amendment 
will result in a change in process operations. The reduction in 
possession limit will not significantly change the types or amounts of 
effluents that may be released offsite, will not increase individual or 
cumulative occupational radiation exposure, will not be a significant 
construction impact, and will not significantly increase the potential 
for or consequences from radiological accidents. Accordingly, the 
amendment is categorically exempt from an environmental assessment 
under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11). Following issuance of this amendment, NRC 
will transfer the license to SCDHEC.
    NRC provides notice that this is a proceeding on an application for 
a license amendment and transfer falling within the scope of Subpart L, 
``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials Licensing 
Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules and practice for domestic licensing 
proceedings in 10 CFR part 2. Pursuant to Sec. 2.1205(a), any person 
whose interest may be affected by this proceeding may file a request 
for a hearing in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(c). A request for a 
hearing must be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of 
publication of this Federal Register notice.
    In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR Part 
2 of NRC's regulations, a request for a hearing filed by a person other 
than an applicant must describe in detail:
    1. The interest of the requester in the proceeding;
    2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the 
proceeding, including the reasons why the requester should be permitted 
a hearing, with particular reference to the factors set out in 
Sec. 2.1205(g);
    3. The requester's areas of concern about the licensing activity 
that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and
    4. The circumstances establishing that the request for a hearing is 
timely in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(c).
    In accordance with 10 CFR Sec. 2.1205(e), each request for a 
hearing must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, 
to:
    1. The applicant, Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc., 140 Stoneridge Drive, 
Columbia, South Carolina 29210, Attention: Mr. William House, and;
    2. NRC staff, by delivery to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, D.C., 20555-0001. Attention: Docketing and 
Service Branch; or hand-deliver comments to: 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, MD between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Federal workdays.
    For further details with respect to this action, the application 
for amendment request is available for inspection at NRC's Public 
Document Room, 2120 L Street NW., Washington, DC 20555.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 10th day of March 1997.


[[Page 12255]]


    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John W.N. Hickey,
Chief, Low-Level Waste and Decommissioning Projects Branch, Division of 
Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 97-6479 Filed 3-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P