Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 96baa826-d3bb-478b-8f38-e74500f6d433
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: 06/2009 (Rev. 2)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0911/ML091170109.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.21
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
sees choose to notify local authorities of spills or leaks (e.g., because of local ordinances or local and State government agreements), the licensee should review the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(xi) and information in NUREG-1022, “Event Reporting Guidelines 10 CFR 50.72 and 50.73,” (Ref. 15), for applicability. In such situations, licensees should ensure effective communication using the guidance provided in NUREG/BR-0308, “Effective Risk Communication,” (Ref. 16), especially with respect to ensuring that the risk is described in the appropriate context. In general, licensees should notify the NRC when significant public concern is raised, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(xi). Rev. 2 of RG 1.21, Page 13 Although the licensee may choose to use its problem identification and resolution program (corrective action program) to document the evaluation of the spill or leak, appropriate documentation should be placed in, or cross-referenced to, the decommissioning files as required by 10 CFR 50.75(g). Remediation should be evaluated and implemented as appropriate based on licensee evaluations and decision-making. Evaluation factors should include (1) the location and accessibility, (2) the concentrations of radionuclides and extent of the residual radioactivity, (3) the efficacy of monitored natural attenuation, (4) the volume of the release, (5) the mobility of the radionuclides, (6) the depth of the water table and (7) whether “significant residual radioactivity” (see glossary) is expected at the time of decommissioning. Since the contaminants, concentrations, and extent of contamination are expected to vary over time or plant life (either increase based on anticipated future leaks and spills or decrease based on remediation or monitored natural attenuation), no one set of numerical values defines significant residual radioactivity. However, licensees may make remediation decisions based on their expectations of being able to meet the