ML20090F141
| ML20090F141 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/03/2020 |
| From: | Cuadrado-Caraballo L NRC/NMSS/DMSST/ASPB |
| To: | State, Agreement States |
| Beardsley M | |
| References | |
| Download: ML20090F141 (3) | |
Text
April 3, 2020 ALL AGREEMENT STATES, NRC REGIONS I, III, and IV EXTENSION TO THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE STATE AGREEMENT (SA)
PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTING THE INTEGRATED MATERIALS PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM (IMPEP); AND UPDATE ON SCHEDULED IMPEP REVIEWS (STC-20-028)
Purpose:
To notify the Agreement States that the NRC is extending the date for Agreement States to review and comment on multiple NMSS SA procedures implementing the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program (IMPEP). In addition, the NRC is also evaluating the use of virtual communication technologies such as Skype or Webex and other means, to conduct IMPEP reviews and Management Review Board (MRB) meetings remotely during the period of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background:
The NRC is taking a variety of measures to ensure the health and safety of the public and its staff while maintaining its important safety and security mission despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus. These actions include:
Providing additional time for the Agreement State to review and comment on multiple NMSS SA procedures implementing IMPEP; Reducing visitors access to NRC facilities by using remote means to conduct meetings or cancelling/postponing in-person meetings and training; and Evaluating, on a case by case basis, changes to scheduled IMPEP reviews and MRB meetings as well as the use of remote communications technology to conduct these reviews and public meetings as scheduled.
The NRC recognizes that the top priority for Agreement State management and staff is responding to their States requests for information, actions, and emergency measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussion: In accordance with a request from the Organization of Agreement States (OAS) to extend the date that was given to review and comment on multiple NMSS SA procedures implementing the IMPEP, i.e., April 1, 2020, (see STC-19-078, STC-19-079, STC-20-004, and STC-20-005), please be aware that the NRC has approved this request and has extended the response date for these procedures to July 1, 2020.
Additionally, in support of the national priority of limiting the spread of the COVID-19, and in accordance with individual State emergency actions, specifically those restricting travel and requiring social distancing, the NRC is evaluating, on a case by case basis, the need to postpone IMPEP reviews and MRB meetings. The NRC is also evaluating the use of remote communications technology to conduct IMPEP reviews and public meetings during this period.
Specific information and guidance for the use of these applications will be provided in the scheduling email for each review. NRC staff will continue to work with OAS and the Agreement States on the use of remote communication technology to implement the IMPEP program.
STC-20-028 If you have any questions on this correspondence, please contact me at (301) 415-3340 or the individuals named below:
POINT OF CONTACT:
Leira Cuadrado E-MAIL: Leira.Cuadrado@nrc.gov TELEPHONE:
(301) 415-0324 Michael C. Layton, Director Division of Materials Safety, Security, State, and Tribal Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Leira Y. Cuadrado-Caraballo Digitally signed by Leira Y.
Cuadrado-Caraballo Date: 2020.04.03 14:48:01
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