[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70294-70295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32641]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 040-08838]
Notice of Consideration of Amendment Request for U.S. Army
Jefferson Proving Ground Site in Madison, Indiana, and Opportunity for
a Hearing
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
issuance of a license amendment to Materials License No. SUB-1435
issued to the U.S. Army (licensee), to authorize decommissioning of its
Jefferson Proving Ground (JPG) site in Madison, Indiana.
From 1941 to 1994, the licensee conducted ordnance testing on the
JPG site, and fired more than 24 million rounds of conventional
explosive. From 1984 to 1994, the licensee conducted accuracy testing
of depleted uranium (DU) tank penetrator rounds at the site. An NRC
license was issued to authorize the U.S. Army to use, store, and
perform testing of DU munitions at JPG. The DU penetrator rounds vary
in size but can be generally described as rods comprised of a DU
titanium alloy with a diameter of approximately 2.5 centimeters (cm) (1
inch) and a length as much as 61 cm (2 feet). The DU munitions testing
contaminated approximately 5.1 x 106 square meters
(m2) (1260 acres) of the site with an estimated 7 x
104 kilograms (1.5 x 105 pounds) of DU. In
accordance with the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base
Realignment and Closure Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-526), the licensee
was required to close the JPG base on September 30, 1995. Currently,
the licensed material is kept onsite in the restricted area known as
the ``Depleted Uranium Impact Area.'' This area under Materials License
No. SUB-1435 is located north of the firing line, and consists of
approximately 12 x 106 m2 (3,000 acres).
An NRC administrative review, documented in a letter to the
licensee dated November 16, 1999, found the site decommissioning plan
(SDP) acceptable to begin a technical review. The SDP requested
restricted release of the JPG site in accordance to Sec. 20.1403. If
the NRC approves the SDP, the approval will be documented in an
amendment to NRC License No. SUB-1435. However, before approving the
proposed amendment, the NRC will need to make the findings required by
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and NRC's regulations. These
findings will be documented in a Safety Evaluation Report and an
Environmental Assessment.
NRC hereby provides notice that this is a proceeding on an
application for an amendment of a license falling within the scope of
Subpart L, ``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials
Licensing Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules of 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(d). A request for
a hearing must be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of
publication of this Federal Register notice.
The request for a hearing must be filed with the Office of the
Secretary either:
1. By delivery to Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738,
between 7:45 am and 4:15 pm, Federal workdays; or
2. By mail or facsimile addressed to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Attention:
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
In accordance with 10 CFR Sec. 2.1205(f), each request for a
hearing must also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail,
to:
1. The applicant, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, 314 Longs
Corner Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5055, Attention: Mr. Dal
M. Nett; and
2. The NRC staff, by delivery to the Executive Director for
Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, One White Flint North,
11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738, between 7:45 am and
4:15 pm, Federal workdays, or by mail, addressed to the Executive
Director for Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001.
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
[[Page 70295]]
should be permitted a hearing, with particular reference to the factors
set out in Sec. 2.1205(h);
3. The requester's areas of concern about the licensing activity
that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and
4. The circumstance establishing that the request for a hearing is
timely in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(d).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The SDP and supporting documentation
are available for inspection at NRC's Public Document Room, 2120 L
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and at NRC's Public Electronic
Reading Room on the NRC web site at http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/
index.html. Questions with respect to this action should be referred to
Ms. Sherry W. Lewis, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste
Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Telephone:
(301) 415-6619. Fax: (301) 415-5398.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of December 1999.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Larry B. Bell,
Acting Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management,
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 99-32641 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P