[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2011)] [Notices] [Pages 55711-55716] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2011-22958] [[Page 55711]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 40-8907; NRC-2011-0193] Confirmatory Order Modifying License No. SNM-2001 for the Shallow Land Disposal Area, Parks Township, Armstrong County, PA; Notice of Opportunity for Hearing and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Safeguards Information AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of Confirmatory Order and opportunity to request a hearing and Commission Order. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice is to advise the Public of the Issuance of a Confirmatory Order Modifying License No. SNM-2001, held by BWX Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the BWXT or Licensee). The Order set forth below was issued to the Licensee on August 5, 2011, and includes an opportunity to request a hearing. DATES: Requests for a hearing or leave to intervene must be filed by September 28, 2011. Any potential party as defined in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.4 who believes access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and/or Safeguards Information is necessary to respond to this notice must request document access by September 19, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yolande Norman, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: 301-415-7741, e-mail: [email protected]. Confirmatory Order Modifying License (Effective Immediately) I BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT or the Licensee) is the holder of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) License No. SNM-2001 (License) issued by the NRC pursuant to 10 CFR part 70. The License authorizes BWXT to receive, acquire, possess, and transfer byproduct, source, and special nuclear material (SNM), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the aforementioned License, at the Shallow Land Disposal Area (SLDA) located in Parks Township, Pennsylvania. The License was issued on October 24, 1995, was most recently amended on June 20, 2011, and remains in effect. II In accordance with the Department of Defense and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Recovery from and Response to Terrorist Attacks on the United States, January 2002 (Pub. L. 107-117, Section 8143), the remediation of radiologically contaminated soil and waste material at the SLDA site will be performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), and pursuant to the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts for Fiscal Years 1998-2001 (Pub. L. 105-62, 105-245, 106-60, and 106-377, respectively). Section 611 of Public Law 106-60 requires USACE to remediate FUSRAP sites in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, 40 CFR part 300. The USACE, as provided for in Section 121(e) of CERCLA and 40 CFR 300.400(e), is not required to obtain an NRC license for its on-site remediation activities conducted under its CERCLA authority. In accordance with Article III of the ``Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Coordination of Cleanup & Decommissioning of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) Sites With NRC-Licensed Facilities,'' 66 FR 36606 (July 12, 2001), at the request of USACE, the NRC will initiate action for the suspension of BWXT's License, contingent upon USACE notifying the NRC in writing, at least 90 days prior to USACE's expected date of initiation of a site response action, that USACE is prepared to take possession of all the licensed site for purposes of control of radiation from FUSRAP materials subject to NRC jurisdiction. Upon taking possession, USACE will be responsible for the protection of the public health and safety from those materials consistent with 10 CFR part 20, ``Standards for Protection Against Radiation.'' Article III of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) further provides that USACE agrees to provide notification to the NRC that it is prepared to take possession of the SLDA site after USACE issues its final Record of Decision (ROD), and that USACE agrees to remediate the licensed site to meet at least the requirements of CERCLA and 10 CFR 20.1402. The USACE issued its ROD for the remediation of radiological soil and waste material at the FUSRAP SLDA Site in September 2007. The NRC reviewed the ROD and concludes that the planned remediation and disposal of the buried materials in an NRC-licensed disposal facility, as proposed in the ROD, are consistent with the applicable provisions of the MOU between the NRC and USACE. Article III of the MOU further provides that NRC licensing action for suspension of the License will be effective subject to written notification by USACE to the NRC that USACE has taken physical possession of the licensed site for purposes of radiation control, and is now responsible for the protection of the public health and safety consistent with the requirements of 10 CFR part 20. Article III further states that USACE has no objection to, and will facilitate, the NRC observing USACE in-process remediation activities. Finally, Article III of the MOU provides that following completion of its response action at the site, USACE shall provide the NRC with a copy of the CERCLA Administrative Record. Article III of the MOU provides that the NRC will reinstate the License if USACE no longer controls the FUSRAP-related portion of the site for radiation protection purposes, is no longer proceeding with a response action under CERCLA, or has otherwise completed its response action. Article III of the MOU also provides that USACE will notify the NRC in writing, at least 90 calendar days prior to USACE terminating its physical possession for purposes of control of radiation so that the NRC can initiate the process for reinstating the License. III By letter dated March 16, 2011, as supplemented by letter dated June 7, 2011, the Licensee notified the NRC and agreed that: A. The License shall be suspended in its entirety after USACE takes physical possession of the SLDA site. B. Cabrera Services, Inc. (Cabrera), or another similarly qualified subcontractor possessing a license under which the work can be performed, will be contracted to manage excavated materials that are below the soil cleanup Derived Concentration Guideline Levels (DCGL) and cannot be reused at the site; Cabrera (or a similarly qualified subcontractor) will also manage the transportation and disposal of this material. [[Page 55712]] C. All activities executed by Cabrera (or a similarly qualified subcontractor) will be performed in accordance with an NRC license (Cabrera License No. 06-030556-01 or comparable) and with all State and local requirements for handling and shipping excavated material, as applicable. D. The site access agreements between BWXT and the USACE, along with the contract between BWXT and Cabrera (or a similarly qualified subcontractor) will ensure that BWXT and Cabrera (or a similarly qualified subcontractor) have appropriate access to the site to execute the work activities. E. Prior to engagement of another subcontractor to perform work at the site, BWXT will provide the NRC with at least 90 days notice and opportunity for review of the proposed subcontractor. F. Notwithstanding the License suspension, BWXT may make a request for alternate disposal pursuant to 10 CFR 20.2002 for approval of proposed procedures, not otherwise authorized in NRC regulations, to dispose of soil below DCGL generated by on-site remediation activities. In addition, the Licensee consented to issuance of this Order with the commitments, as described above. The Licensee further agreed that this Order shall be effective upon issuance, and that it waives its right to a hearing with respect to this Order. Implementation of these commitments will provide enhanced assurance that sufficient resources will be applied to the radiation safety program, and that the program will be conducted safely and in accordance with NRC requirements. I find that the Licensee's commitments, as set forth above, are acceptable and necessary and conclude that with these commitments the public health and safety are reasonably assured. In view of the foregoing, I have determined that the public health and safety require that the Licensee's commitments be confirmed by this Order. Based on the above and Licensee's consent, this Order is immediately effective upon issuance. IV Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 81, 83, 84, 161b, 161i, 161o, 182 and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202 and 10 CFR parts 20, 70, 73 and 74 It Is Hereby Ordered, Effective Immediately, That License No. SNM-2001 Is Modified As Follows: A. The License shall be suspended in its entirety after USACE takes physical possession of the site. License suspension shall be effective upon the date of the written notification to the NRC by USACE that it has taken physical possession of the site for purposes of radiation control, and is now responsible for the protection of the public health and safety consistent with the requirements of 10 CFR part 20. B. Furthermore, because certain amounts of special nuclear material may be encountered during remediation activities, USACE will be responsible for the criticality safety, physical protection, and material control and accounting of the special nuclear material as set forth in 10 CFR part 70 ``Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material,'' part 73 ``Physical Protection of Plants and Materials'' and, part 74 ``Material Control and Accounting of Special Nuclear Material.'' The handling of special nuclear material during USACE's remediation is detailed in the Final Work Plans dated April and May, 2011 that were reviewed and accepted by the NRC as satisfying the regulatory requirements in 10 CFR parts 70, 73, and 74, as applicable. C. The License shall be reinstated: (1) After USACE notifies the NRC in writing that USACE intends to terminate its physical possession of the site for the purpose of radiation control and the handling of special nuclear material; and (2) After USACE is no longer controlling the site for radiation protection purposes and the handling of special nuclear material, is no longer proceeding with a response action at the site under CERCLA, or has otherwise completed its response action for the site; and (3) After the Licensee reestablishes physical possession of the site. D. The Licensee shall establish physical possession of the site immediately after USACE vacates the site. Within 2 business days after the Licensee establishes physical possession of the site, the Licensee shall send written notification to the NRC that it has done so and indicate when it did so. The Licensee shall send such notices to the Director, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and to the Chief, Special Projects Branch, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection at the same address. The Director, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs, may, in writing, relax or rescind any of the above conditions upon demonstration by the Licensee of good cause. V Any person adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order, other than the Licensee, may request a hearing within 20 days of its publication in the Federal Register. Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for extension of time must be made in writing to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and include a statement of good cause for the extension. All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including a request for hearing, a petition for leave to intervene, any motion or other document filed in the proceeding prior to the submission of a request for hearing or petition to intervene, and documents filed by interested governmental entities participating under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be filed in accordance with the NRC E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139, August 28, 2007). The E-Filing process requires participants to submit and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in some cases to mail copies on electronic storage media. Participants may not submit paper copies of their filings unless they seek an exemption in accordance with the procedures described below. To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least ten (10) days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the Office of the Secretary by e-mail at [email protected], or by telephone at 301-415-1677, to request (1) A digital ID certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or representative) to digitally sign documents and access the E- Submittal server for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a request or petition for hearing (even in instances in which the participant, or its counsel or representative, already holds an NRC- issued digital ID certificate). Based upon this information, the Secretary will establish an electronic docket for the hearing in this proceeding if the Secretary has not already established an electronic docket. Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is available on NRC's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/apply-certificates.html. System requirements for accessing the E-Submittal server are detailed in NRC's [[Page 55713]] ``Guidance for Electronic Submission,'' which is available on the agency's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Participants may attempt to use other software not listed on the Web site, but should note that the NRC's E-Filing system does not support unlisted software, and the NRC Meta System Help Desk will not be able to offer assistance in using unlisted software. If a participant is electronically submitting a document to the NRC in accordance with the E-Filing rule, the participant must file the document using the NRC's online, Web-based submission form. In order to serve documents through the Electronic Information Exchange (EIE), users will be required to install a Web browser plug-in from the NRC Web site. Further information on the Web-based submission form, including the installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on the NRC's public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Once a participant has obtained a digital ID certificate and a docket has been created, the participant can then submit a request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene. Submissions should be in Portable Document Format (PDF) in accordance with NRC guidance available on the NRC public Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. A filing is considered complete at the time the documents are submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To be timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Upon receipt of a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends the submitter an e-mail notice confirming receipt of the document. The E-Filing system also distributes an e-mail notice that provides access to the document to the NRC Office of the General Counsel and any others who have advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to participate in the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the documents on those participants separately. Therefore, applicants and other participants (or their counsel or representative) must apply for and receive a digital ID certificate before a hearing request/petition to intervene is filed so that they can obtain access to the document via the E-Filing system. A person filing electronically using the agency's adjudicatory E- Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC Meta System Help Desk through the ``Contact Us'' link located on the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html, by e-mail at [email protected], or by a toll-free call at (866) 672-7640. The NRC Meta System Help Desk is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays. Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper format. Such filings must be submitted by: (1) First class mail addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Participants filing a document in this manner are responsible for serving the document on all other participants. Filing is considered complete by first-class mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing the document with the provider of the service. A presiding officer, having granted an exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a participant or party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer subsequently determines that the reason for granting the exemption from use of E-Filing no longer exists. Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in NRC's electronic hearing docket which is available to the public at http://ehd1.nrc.gov/EHD/ unless excluded pursuant to an order of the Commission, or the presiding officer. Participants are requested not to include personal privacy information, such as social security numbers, home addresses, or home phone numbers in their filings, unless an NRC regulation or other law requires submission of such information. With respect to copyrighted works, except for limited excerpts that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory filings and would constitute a Fair Use application, participants are requested not to include copyrighted materials in their submission. If a person (other than the Licensee) requests a hearing, that person shall set forth with particularity the manner in which his interest is adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.309(d) and (f). If a hearing is requested by a person whose interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue an order designating the time and place of any hearing. If a hearing is held, the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Confirmatory Order should be sustained. In the absence of any request for hearing, or written approval of an extension of time in which to request a hearing, the provisions specified in Section V above shall be final 20 days from the date this Confirmatory Order is published in the Federal Register without further order or proceedings. If an extension of time for requesting a hearing has been approved, the provisions specified in Section V shall be final when the extension expires if a hearing request has not been received. A Request for Hearing Shall Not Stay the Immediate Effectiveness of this Order. Dated this 5th day of August 2011. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Cynthia A. Carpenter, Acting Director, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs. Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non- Safeguards Information and Safeguards Information for Contention Preparation A. This Order contains instructions regarding how potential parties to this proceeding may request access to documents containing sensitive unclassified information (including Sensitive Unclassified Non- Safeguards Information (SUNSI) and Safeguards Information (SGI)). Requirements for access to SGI are primarily set forth in 10 CFR parts 2 and 73. Nothing in this Order is intended to conflict with the SGI regulations. B. Within 10 days after publication of this notice of hearing and opportunity to petition for leave to intervene, any potential party who believes access to SUNSI or SGI is necessary to respond to this notice may request access to SUNSI or SGI. A ``potential party'' is any person, other than the licensee, who intends to participate as a party by demonstrating standing and filing an admissible contention under 10 CFR 2.309. Requests for access to SUNSI or SGI submitted later than 10 days after publication will not be considered absent a showing of good cause for the late filing, addressing why the request could not have been filed earlier. C. The requestor shall submit a letter requesting permission to access SUNSI, [[Page 55714]] SGI, or both to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, and provide a copy to the Associate General Counsel for Hearings, Enforcement and Administration, Office of the General Counsel, Washington, DC 20555-0001. The expedited delivery or courier mail address for both offices is: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The e-mail address for the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the General Counsel are [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.\1\ The request must include the following information: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ While a request for hearing or petition to intervene in this proceeding must comply with the filing requirements of the NRC's ``E-Filing Rule,'' the initial request to access SUNSI and/or SGI under these procedures should be submitted as described in this paragraph. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) A description of the enforcement action with a citation to this Federal Register notice; (2) The name and address of the potential party and a description of the potential party's particularized interest that could be harmed by the action identified in C.(1); (3) If the request is for SUNSI, the identity of the individual or entity requesting access to SUNSI and the requestor's basis for the need for the information in order to meaningfully participate in this adjudicatory proceeding. In particular, the request must explain why publicly-available versions of the information requested would not be sufficient to provide the basis and specificity for a proffered contention; (4) If the request is for SGI, the identity of each individual who would have access to SGI if the request is granted, including the identity of any expert, consultant, or assistant who will aid the requestor in evaluating the SGI. In addition, the request must contain the following information: (a) A statement that explains each individual's ``need to know'' the SGI, as required by 10 CFR 73.2 and 10 CFR 73.22(b)(1). Consistent with the definition of ``need to know'' as stated in 10 CFR 73.2, the statement must explain: (i) Specifically why the requestor believes that the information is necessary to enable the requestor to proffer and/or adjudicate a specific contention in this proceeding; \2\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ Broad SGI requests under these procedures are unlikely to meet the standard for need to know; furthermore, staff redaction of information from requested documents before their release may be appropriate to comport with this requirement. These procedures do not authorize unrestricted disclosure or less scrutiny of a requestor's need to know than ordinarily would be applied in connection with an already-admitted contention or non-adjudicatory access to SGI. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (ii) The technical competence (demonstrable knowledge, skill, training or education) of the requestor to effectively utilize the requested SGI to provide the basis and specificity for a proffered contention. The technical competence of a potential party or its counsel may be shown by reliance on a qualified expert, consultant, or assistant who satisfies these criteria. (b) A completed Form SF-85, ``Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions'' for each individual who would have access to SGI. The completed Form SF-85 will be used by the Office of Administration to conduct the background check required for access to SGI, as required by 10 CFR part 2, subpart G and 10 CFR 73.22(b)(2), to determine the requestor's trustworthiness and reliability. For security reasons, Form SF-85 can only be submitted electronically through the electronic questionnaire for investigations processing (e-QIP) Web site, a secure Web site that is owned and operated by the Office of Personnel Management. To obtain online access to the form, the requestor should contact the NRC's Office of Administration at 301-492-3524.\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The requestor will be asked to provide his or her full name, social security number, date and place of birth, telephone number, and e-mail address. After providing this information, the requestor usually should be able to obtain access to the online form within one business day. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) A completed Form FD-258 (fingerprint card), signed in original ink, and submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 73.57(d). Copies of Form FD-258 may be obtained by writing the Office of Information Services, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, by calling 301-415-7232 or 301-492-7311, or by e-mail to [email protected]. The fingerprint card will be used to satisfy the requirements of 10 CFR part 2, 10 CFR 73.22(b)(1), and Section 149 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, which mandates that all persons with access to SGI must be fingerprinted for an FBI identification and criminal history records check; (d) A check or money order payable in the amount of $200.00\4\ to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for each individual for whom the request for access has been submitted, and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ This fee is subject to change pursuant to the Office of Personnel Management's adjustable billing rates. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (e) If the requestor or any individual who will have access to SGI believes they belong to one or more of the categories of individuals that are exempt from the criminal history records check and background check requirements in 10 CFR 73.59, the requestor should also provide a statement identifying which exemption the requestor is invoking and explaining the requestor's basis for believing that the exemption applies. While processing the request, the Office of Administration, Personnel Security Branch, will make a final determination whether the claimed exemption applies. Alternatively, the requestor may contact the Office of Administration for an evaluation of their exemption status prior to submitting their request. Persons who are exempt from the background check are not required to complete the SF-85 or Form FD-258; however, all other requirements for access to SGI, including the need to know, are still applicable. Note: Copies of documents and materials required by paragraphs C.(4)(b), (c), and (d) of this Order must be sent to the following address: Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Personnel Security Branch, Mail Stop TWB-05-B32M, Washington, DC 20555-0001. These documents and materials should not be included with the request letter to the Office of the Secretary, but the request letter should state that the forms and fees have been submitted as required above. D. To avoid delays in processing requests for access to SGI, the requestor should review all submitted materials for completeness and accuracy (including legibility) before submitting them to the NRC. The NRC will return incomplete packages to the sender without processing. E. Based on an evaluation of the information submitted under paragraphs C.(3) or C.(4) above, as applicable, the NRC staff will determine within 10 days of receipt of the request whether: (1) There is a reasonable basis to believe the petitioner is likely to establish standing to participate in this NRC proceeding; and (2) The requestor has established a legitimate need for access to SUNSI or need to know the SGI requested. F. For requests for access to SUNSI, if the NRC staff determines that the requestor satisfies both E.(1) and E.(2) above, the NRC staff will notify the requestor in writing that access to SUNSI has been granted. The written notification will contain instructions on how the requestor may obtain copies of the requested documents, and any other conditions that may apply to access to [[Page 55715]] those documents. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Affidavit, or Protective Order \5\ setting forth terms and conditions to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure of SUNSI by each individual who will be granted access to SUNSI. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ Any motion for Protective Order or draft Non-Disclosure Affidavit or Agreement for SUNSI must be filed with the presiding officer or the Chief Administrative Judge if the presiding officer has not yet been designated, within 30 days of the deadline for the receipt of the written access request. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. For requests for access to SGI, if the NRC staff determines that the requestor has satisfied both E.(1) and E.(2) above, the Office of Administration will then determine, based upon completion of the background check, whether the proposed recipient is trustworthy and reliable, as required for access to SGI by 10 CFR 73.22(b). If the Office of Administration determines that the individual or individuals are trustworthy and reliable, the NRC will promptly notify the requestor in writing. The notification will provide the names of approved individuals as well as the conditions under which the SGI will be provided. Those conditions may include, but not be limited to, the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Affidavit, or Protective Order \6\ by each individual who will be granted access to SGI. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ Any motion for Protective Order or draft Non-Disclosure Affidavit or Agreement for SGI must be filed with the presiding officer or the Chief Administrative Judge if the presiding officer has not yet been designated, within 180 days of the deadline for the receipt of the written access request. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- H. Release and Storage of SGI. Prior to providing SGI to the requestor, the NRC staff will conduct (as necessary) an inspection to confirm that the recipient's information protection system is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of 10 CFR 73.22. Alternatively, recipients may opt to view SGI at an approved SGI storage location rather than establish their own SGI protection program to meet SGI protection requirements. I. Filing of Contentions. Any contentions in these proceedings that are based upon the information received as a result of the request made for SUNSI or SGI must be filed by the requestor no later than 25 days after the requestor is granted access to that information. However, if more than 25 days remain between the date the petitioner is granted access to the information and the deadline for filing all other contentions (as established in the notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing), the petitioner may file its SUNSI or SGI contentions by that later deadline. J. Review of Denials of Access. (1) If the request for access to SUNSI or SGI is denied by the NRC staff either after a determination on standing and requisite need, or after a determination on trustworthiness and reliability, the NRC staff shall immediately notify the requestor in writing, briefly stating the reason or reasons for the denial. (2) Before the Office of Administration makes an adverse determination regarding the proposed recipient(s) trustworthiness and reliability for access to SGI, the Office of Administration, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.705(c)(3)(iii), must provide the proposed recipient(s) any records that were considered in the trustworthiness and reliability determination, including those required to be provided under 10 CFR 73.57(e)(1), so that the proposed recipient(s) have an opportunity to correct or explain the information. (3) The requestor may challenge the NRC staff's adverse determination with respect to access to SUNSI by filing a challenge within 5 days of receipt of that determination with: (a) The presiding officer designated in this proceeding; (b) if no presiding officer has been appointed, the Chief Administrative Judge, or if he or she is unavailable, another administrative judge, or an administrative law judge with jurisdiction pursuant to 10 CFR 2.318(a); or (c) if another officer has been designated to rule on information access issues, with that officer. (4) The requestor may challenge the NRC staff's or Office of Administration's adverse determination with respect to access to SGI by filing a request for review in accordance with 10 CFR 2.705(c)(3)(iv). Further appeals of decisions under this paragraph must be made pursuant to 10 CFR 2.311. K. Review of Grants of Access. A party other than the requestor may challenge an NRC staff determination granting access to SUNSI or SGI whose release would harm that party's interest independent of the proceeding. Such a challenge must be filed with the Chief Administrative Judge within 5 days of the notification by the NRC staff of its grant of access. If challenges to the NRC staff determinations are filed, these procedures give way to the normal process for litigating disputes concerning access to information. The availability of interlocutory review by the Commission of orders ruling on such NRC staff determinations (whether granting or denying access) is governed by 10 CFR 2.311.\7\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ Requestors should note that the filing requirements of the NRC's E-Filing Rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007) apply to appeals of NRC staff determinations (because they must be served on a presiding officer or the Commission, as applicable), but not to the initial SUNSI/SGI request submitted to the NRC staff under these procedures. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- L. The Commission expects that the NRC staff and presiding officers (and any other reviewing officers) will consider and resolve requests for access to SUNSI or SGI, and motions for protective orders, in a timely fashion in order to minimize any unnecessary delays in identifying those petitioners who have standing and who have propounded contentions meeting the specificity and basis requirements in 10 CFR part 2. Attachment 1 to this Order summarizes the general target schedule for processing and resolving requests under these procedures. It Is So Ordered. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 1st day of September, 2011. For the Commission. Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary of the Commission. Attachment 1--General Target Schedule for Processing and Resolving Requests for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Safeguards Information in This Proceeding ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Day Event/activity ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0..................... Publication of Federal Register notice of hearing and opportunity to petition for leave to intervene, including order with instructions for access requests. 10.................... Deadline for submitting requests for access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI) and/or Safeguards Information (SGI) with information: Supporting the standing of a potential party identified by name and address; describing the need for the information in order for the potential party to participate meaningfully in an adjudicatory proceeding; demonstrating that access should be granted (e.g., showing technical competence for access to SGI); and, for SGI, including application fee for fingerprint/background check. [[Page 55716]] 20.................... Deadline for submitting petition for intervention containing: (i) Demonstration of standing; (ii) all contentions whose formulation does not require access to SUNSI and/or SGI (+25 Answers to petition for intervention; +7 requestor/petitioner reply). 20.................... Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff informs the requestor of the staff's determination whether the request for access provides a reasonable basis to believe standing can be established and shows (1) need for SUNSI or (2) need to know for SGI. (For SUNSI, NRC staff also informs any party to the proceeding whose interest independent of the proceeding would be harmed by the release of the information.) If NRC staff makes the finding of need for SUNSI and likelihood of standing, NRC staff begins document processing (preparation of redactions or review of redacted documents). If NRC staff makes the finding of need to know for SGI and likelihood of standing, NRC staff begins background check (including fingerprinting for a criminal history records check), information processing (preparation of redactions or review of redacted documents), and readiness inspections. 25.................... If NRC staff finds no ``need,'' no ``need to know,'' or no likelihood of standing, the deadline for requestor/petitioner to file a motion seeking a ruling to reverse the NRC staff's denial of access; NRC staff files copy of access determination with the presiding officer (or Chief Administrative Judge or other designated officer, as appropriate). If NRC staff finds ``need'' for SUNSI, the deadline for any party to the proceeding whose interest independent of the proceeding would be harmed by the release of the information to file a motion seeking a ruling to reverse the NRC staff's grant of access. 30.................... Deadline for NRC staff reply to motions to reverse NRC staff determination(s). 40.................... (Receipt +30) If NRC staff finds standing and need for SUNSI, deadline for NRC staff to complete information processing and file motion for Protective Order and draft Non-Disclosure Affidavit. Deadline for applicant/licensee to file Non-Disclosure Agreement for SUNSI. 190................... (Receipt +180) If NRC staff finds standing, need to know for SGI, and trustworthiness and reliability, deadline for NRC staff to file motion for Protective Order and draft Non- disclosure Affidavit (or to make a determination that the proposed recipient of SGI is not trustworthy or reliable). Note: Before the Office of Administration makes an adverse determination regarding access to SGI, the proposed recipient must be provided an opportunity to correct or explain information. 205................... Deadline for petitioner to seek reversal of a final adverse NRC staff trustworthiness or reliability determination either before the presiding officer or another designated officer under 10 CFR 2.705(c)(3)(iv). A..................... If access granted: Issuance of presiding officer or other designated officer decision on motion for protective order for access to sensitive information (including schedule for providing access and submission of contentions) or decision reversing a final adverse determination by the NRC staff. A + 3................. Deadline for filing executed Non-Disclosure Affidavits. Access provided to SUNSI and/or SGI consistent with decision issuing the protective order. A + 28................ Deadline for submission of contentions whose development depends upon access to SUNSI and/or SGI. However, if more than 25 days remain between the petitioner's receipt of (or access to) the information and the deadline for filing all other contentions (as established in the notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing), the petitioner may file its SUNSI or SGI contentions by that later deadline. A + 53................ (Contention receipt +25) Answers to contentions whose development depends upon access to SUNSI and/or SGI. A + 60................ (Answer receipt +7) Petitioner/Intervenor reply to answers. >A + 60............... Decision on contention admission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [FR Doc. 2011-22958 Filed 9-7-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P