May 9th, 2011 – cbc.ca

Canada and U.S. cut back radiation reporting

Canadian and U.S. authorities have both cut back radiation reporting after detecting only minuscule increases following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, despite ongoing clean-up efforts in Japan.

“The quantities of radiation reaching Canada are very small and do not pose any health risk to Canadians,” said a statement posted by Health Canada online.

[quote]

“We have seen very slight increases in radiation across the country, smaller than the normal day-to-day fluctuations,” said the website.

[/quote]

South of the border the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also ratcheted down that nation’s radiation monitoring program for rain, drinking water and milk in response to a consistent drop in the levels of fallout detected.

Numerous radioactive particles have been detected in milk, water and air tests nationwide since the magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami struck the power plant on March 11, but agency officials said Friday the levels were so minuscule they were not harmful to public health.

After seeing the levels drop in recent weeks, EPA cut back to resume sampling water and milk once every three months.

April 13th, 2011 – KEPRTV.com

Radiation Monitor in Richland Not Working Properly

TRI-CITIES — Air, water, and milk, the feds are watching closely for any spikes in radiation following the nuclear fallout in Japan. KEPR uncovered a flaw in the system. The air monitoring station in Richland isn’t working properly.

There have been no readings in our area for two weeks now. And those readings are critical to making sure our radiation levels aren’t up.

When concerns about radiation popped up after the Japan disaster, Action News showed you the air monitor in Richland.

[quote]

It’s only one of four stations in Washington watched by the state and feds.

KEPR started by making calls to the Washington State Department of Health. They’re the ones that post the data. But KEPR was told the monitor is actually owned by the feds. The EPA owns and operates it.

They told us the part that’s not working reads beta, but gamma readings are still coming in.

And the EPA say there have been no gamma spikes to be concerned about.

And EPA spokesperson told KEPR fixing the air monitor is not a priority.

Here’s the EPA’s statement: “Since the gamma and filter/cartridge information is still being provided consistently, we are confident that this RADNET monitor is offering us a comprehensive, real-time picture of what’s happening, radiation-wise, in the Tri-Cities.”

[/quote]

FOIA Docs

From: Bowman, Eric

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:13 AM

To: Alexion, Thomas

Cc: Pedersen, Roger

Subject: RE: Draft INRev (3) PMT for your consideration and issuance….

Tom,

Roger Pedersen is listed as the technical contact on IN 86-32 and Supp 1. He still works here and is in the HP branch in DIRS; he might be a good one to bring along to discuss w/Eric if he’s available.

Thanks!

Eric

From: Alexion, Thomas

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:03 AM

To: Bowman, Eric; Mensah, Tanya

Subject: FW: Draft INRev (3) PMT for your consideration and issuance….

FYI, in case we need your help on this.

From: McGinty, Tim

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:54 AM

To: Rosenberg, Stacey; Alexion, Thomas

Cc: Brenner, Eliot; Hoc, PMT12; LIA07 Hoc; Giitter, Joseph; Leeds, Eric; Boger, Bruce; Blount, Tom; Quay, Theodore;

Nelson, Robert; LIA06 Hoc

Subject: RE: Draft INRev (3) PMT for your consideration and issuance….

NRRIDPR Generic Communications Staff: (Stacey (and Tom Acting)):

Purpose of this email is to provide clarification to direction you have received regarding the crafting of an Information Notice to convey that NRC requests voluntary reporting of radioactivity measurements pertaining to Fukushima.

The Ops Center Response Teams worked on an initial draft. No significant effort to continue to develop this information notice for near-term issuance is needed. Please retain it for potential future use, if that becomes necessary.

The reason we are not actively working on issuing an IN is contained in the attached emails. Eric Leeds has worked with NEI, and NEI has agreed to voluntarily provide the information to NRC for collection, and then for providing it to EPA.

Let me know if you have any questions. Tim

From: Hoc, PMT12

Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 11:06 PM

To: Leeds, Eric; Giitter, Joseph; McGinty, Tim; LIA07 Hoc

Cc: Hoc, PMT12; Brenner, Eliot

Subject: Draft INRev (3) PMT for your consideration and issuance….

Importance: High

Eric-We took the draft IN from Chernobyl (IN 86-32) and revised accordingly for the proposed IN for NRC Rx licensees. It’s our understanding that NRR will take the lead to get this issued, and approved by ET and/or Commission. We also understand that OPA would most likely need to issue a Press release if this is sent to NRC licensees. If NRR has a process that you envision for collection and working this with the NRR PMs and/or the PMT that would also be great.

When it gets issued, please cc the pmt22 account also-

Thanks

Cyndi Jones

PMT

From: Chernoff, Harold NT(d(

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:40 AM

To: Bamford, Peter

Subject: Comrhunication of Environmental Data Attributable to Events in Japan

[quote]

The purpose of this e-mail is to ensure your awareness of an agreement between the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the NRC staff.

In summary, NEI has agreed to facilitate the collection and transmission of environmental data from operating reactor sites that is reasonably attributable to events in Japan subsequent to March 11, 2011.

Once this information has been collected and organized NEI will forward this information to the NRC staff.

NRC staff will ensure that this information is forwarded to the lead government agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for monitoring this type of information.

In the past the EPA has stated that, “environmental radiation data supplied by NRC licensees were instrumental in understanding particular aspects of the US radiological situation and in answering concerns of US citizens relative to gaseous radioiodine in the air.”

[/quote]

NRC staff appreciates your efforts in providing this important data to NEI.

Regards,

From: Beaulieu, David I ‘L

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 12:39 PM

To: Alexion, Thomas

Subject: RIS Intent Section

Tom, as you requested. Let me know if you need the names of the points of contact for generic communications in the other offices.

INTENT

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to request that addressees with on-going environmental monitoring programs voluntary report to the NRC confirmed anomalous environmental radioactivity measurements likely caused by radioactive material released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan following the March 11, 2011, Tohoku-Taiheiyou-Oki earthquake.

This magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the subsequent tsunami caused significant damage to at least four of the six units of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station as the result of a sustained loss of both the offsite and on-site power systems.

[quote]

The information collected will be used to enhance the Federal and state monitoring programs.

[/quote]

DAVID BEAULIEU PROJECT MANAGER, NRR/DPR

From:Chernoff, Harold

Sent:Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:48 AM

To:NRRDORLLPL1-2 Distribution

Subject:FW: FYI: New TI Related to Fukushima

fyi

From: Nelson, Robert

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:43 AM

To: Broaddus, Doug; Campbell, Stephen; Carlson, Robert; Chernoff, Harold; Kulesa, Gloria; Markley, Michael; Pascarelli,

Robert; Salgado, Nancy; Simms, Sophonia; Wall, Scott

Cc: Mahoney, Michael; Meighan, Sean; Glitter, Joseph; Howe, Allen

Subject: FYI: New TI Related to Fukushima

Issued yesterday; links below.

The objective of this TI is to independently assess the adequacy of actions taken by licensees in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear station fuel damage event. The inspection results from this TI will be used to evaluate the industry’s readiness for a similar event and to aid in determining whether additional regulatory actions by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission are warranted. Therefore, the intent of this TI is to be a high-level look at the industry’s preparedness for events that may exceed the design basis for a plant. If necessary, a more specific follow-up inspection will be performed at a later date.

Inspection Manual Change Notice 11-003

TI 2515-183, “Followup to Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Station Fuel Damage Event”

NELSON

From: Chernoff, Harold NT(d(

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:40 AM

To: Bamford, Peter

Subject: Comrhunication of Environmental Data Attributable to Events in Japan

The purpose of this e-mail is to ensure your awareness of an agreement between the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the NRC staff. In summary, NEI has agreed to facilitate the collection and transmission of environmental data from operating reactor sites that is reasonably attributable to events in Japan subsequent to March 11, 2011. Once this information has been collected and organized NEI will forward this information to the NRC staff. NRC staff will ensure that this information is forwarded to the lead government agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for monitoring this type of information. In the past the EPA has atated that, “environmental radiation data supplied by NRC licensees were instrumental in understanding particular aspects of the US radiological situation and in answering concerns of US citizens relative to gaseous

radioiodine in the air.”

NRC staff appreciates your efforts in providing this important data to NEI.

Regards,

From: Beaulieu, David I ‘L

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 12:39 PM

To: Alexion, Thomas

Subject: RIS Intent Section

Tom, as you requested. Let me know if you need the names of the points of contact for generic communications in the other offices.

INTENT

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to request that addressees with on-going environmental monitoring programs voluntary report to the NRC confirmed anomalous environmental radioactivity measurements likely caused by radioactive material released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan following the March 11, 2011, Tohoku-Taiheiyou-Oki earthquake. This magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the subsequent tsunami caused significant damage to at least four of the six units of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station as the result of a sustained loss of both the offsite and on-site power systems. The information collected will be used to enhance the Federal and state monitoring programs.

DAVID BEAULIEU PROJECT MANAGER, NRR/DPR/PGCB

wl-yer) 301-415-3243 I 012H17 I David.Bea [email protected]

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NRC REGULATORY ISSUE SUMMARY 2011-XX: REQUEST FOR LICENSEE RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO JAPANESE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE ADDRESSEES

All holders of an operating license for a nuclear power reactor issued under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, “Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,” except those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel.

INTENT

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to request that addressees with on-going environmental monitoring programs voluntary report to the NRC anomalous environmental radioactivity measurements likely caused by radioactive material released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan following the March 11, 2011, Tohoku-Taiheiyou-Oki earthquake. This magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the subsequent tsunami caused significant damage to at least four of the six units of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station as the result of a sustained loss of both the offsite and on-site power systems.

SUMMARY OF ISSUE

[quote]

It appears likely that radioactive material released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has arrived within the continental US in concentrations that may be detectable by licensee environmental monitoring equipment. Higher than normal levels of radioactivity such as iodine-1 31 and cesium-1 37 have been detected in air and rainwater at several U.S. reactor licensee sites. The NRC will collect and disseminate the information voluntarily reported to the NRC to enhance the Federal and state monitoring programs.

[/quote]

Because the sensitivity and broad scope of existing licensee Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMPs), augmentation of the NRC licensee EMPs is not necessary. Environment air sampling probably is the most sensitive and thus most likely means of detecting the airborne materials. Other potential means of detection that are less-sensitive include personnel whole body counting equipment.

Any anomalous detection of radioactive material should be evaluated in accordance with facility license, technical specifications and applicable regulations to assure that the detected materials are properly identified as to source (e.g., either plant operations or the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station).

VOLUNTARY RESPONSE

Addressees are requested to voluntarily report to the NRC by sending an e-mail to the NRC Operations Center at hoo.hoc(anrc..qov any anomalous environmental radiation or radioactivity measurement that can be reasonably assumed to be radioactive material that originated from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The requested reporting format is as follows:

1. Sample date(s) and approximate locations(s)

2. Medium or pathway (e.g., air particulate, air charcoal, milk)

3. Type of analysis (e.g., gross beta, iodine-131, other gamma emitter)

4. Statistical data (mean, range, number of samples)

BACKFIT DISCUSSION

This RIS requires no action or written response. Any action on the part of addressees to voluntarily report information in accordance with the guidance contained in this RIS is strictly voluntary and, therefore, is not a backfit under 10 CFR 50.109. Consequently, the staff did not perform a backfit analysis.

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTIFICATION

A notice of opportunity for public comment on this RIS was not published in the Federal Register because it pertains to an administrative aspect of the regulatory process that involves the voluntary submission of information on the part of addressees.

Congressional Review Act

The NRC has determined that this action is not a rule as designated by the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 801-808) and, therefore, is not subject to the Act.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT

Public Protection Notification

The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, an information collection unless the requesting document displays a currently valid OMB control number.

CONTACT

Please direct any questions about this matter to the technical contact(s) or the Lead Project Manager listed below, or to the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Thomas Blount, Acting Director

Division of Policy and Rulemaking

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contact: {name}, NRR

301-415-xxxx

e-mail: xxx•,nrc..ov

Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site,

http://www.nrc.pov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections.

From: Beaulieu, David

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 5:04 PM

To: Hayden, Elizabeth

Subject: RE: Very Draft RIS

Attachments: RIS Japan Rad Measurements.docx

Probably Monday. See latest version attached.

From: Hayden, Elizabeth I )

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2 11 4:45 PM

To: Beaulieu, David

Subject: RE: Very Draft RIS

Thanks. I’ll put together what I can. When does NRR plan to issue the RIS?

Beth Hayden

Senior Advisor

Office of Public Affairs

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

— Rro/eciingP eoplea&d/ /eEnyironmeiz/

301-415-8202

elizabeth.hbhaden @&nrc.gov

From: Beaulieu, David

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 3:16 PM

To: Hayden, Elizabeth

Subject: Very Draft RIS

Although this is a very rough draft, it’s probably good enough to start preparing a press release.

From: Beaulieu, David if) tL–

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 5:23 PM

To: Conatser, Richard

Cc: Shoop, Undine; Pedersen, Roger; Alexion, Thomas; Hayden, Elizabeth

Subject: RIS Unclear

The RIS now reads:

ADDRESSEES

All holders of an operating license for a nuclear power reactor issued under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, “Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,” except those who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel.

INTENT

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to request that addressees with on-going environmental monitoring programs voluntary report to the NRC anomalous environmental radioactivity measurements likely caused by radioactive material released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan following the March 11, 2011, Tohoku-Taiheiyou-Oki earthquake.

Comment:

I recommend deleting “with on-going environmental monitoring programs” because it creates confusion whether all addressee have an on-going environmental monitoring program.

DAVID BEAULIEU PROJECT MANAGER, NRR/DPR/PGCB

wl-yer) 301-415-3243 I 012H17 I [email protected]

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

From: Leeds, Eric Wx (

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:53 AM

To: Chernoff, Harold; Nelson, Robert

Cc: Guitter, Joseph; Howe, Allen; Boger, Bruce; Grobe, Jack; Markley, Michael; Oesterle, Eric;

Meighan, Sean; Nguyen, Quynh; Blount, Tom; Ruland, William

Subject: RE: FYI: E-Mail to CNOs

Thanks Harold. Please coordinate with Joe Giitter/Tom Blount. I believe they are taking the lead on this, although I may be signing/sending whatever is the outcome.

Eric J. Leeds, Director

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

301-415-1270

From:- Chernoff, Haroid IL .

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:47 AM

To: Nelson, Robert; Leeds, Eric

Cc: Glitter, Joseph; Howe, Allen; Boger, Bruce; Grobe, Jack; Markley, Michael; Oesterle, Eric; Meighan, Sean; Nguyen,

Quynh

Subject: RE: FYI: E-Mail to CNOs

The addressee list is also ready to be inserted. Just let me know who to work with when ready to proceed.

From: Nelson, Rober

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 10:02 AM

To: Leeds, Eric

Cc: Giitter, Joseph; Howe, Allen; Chernoff, Harold; Boger, Bruce; Grobe, lack; Markley, Michael; Oesterle, Eric; Meighan,

Sean; Nguyen, Quynh

Subject: FYI: E-Mail to CNOs

Importance: High

Proposed e-mail follows. E-mail distribution list should be ready by 10:30. Many thanks to Harold Chernoff & his staff for preparing this draft and preparing the distribution list.

NELSON

The purpose of this e-mail is to ensure your awareness of a verbal agreement between the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the NRC staff. In summary, I understand that NEI has agreed to facilitate the collection and transmission of environmental data from operating reactor sites that is reasonably attributable to events in Japan, subsequent to March 11, 2011. Once this information has been collected and organized, NEI will forward this information to the NRC staff. NRC staff will ensure that this information is forwarded to the lead government agency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for monitoring this type of information. In the past, the EPA has stated that, “environmental radiation data supplied by NRC licensees were instrumental in understanding particular aspects of the US radiological situation and in answering concerns of US citizens relative to gaseous radioiodine in the air.”

NRC staff understands that NEI has also informed you of this agreement and appreciates your efforts in providing this important data to NEI.

From:Beaulieu, David

Sent:Friday, March 25, 2011 3:04 PM

To:Meighan, Sean

Cc:Quay, Theodore; Alexion, Thomas

Subject:RE: do you have copy of DRAFT Information Notice on radiological data collection (the one that was turned off today)?

Attachments:RIS Japan Rad Measurements.docx

Sean,

See attached.

From: Meighan, Sean

Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 1:54 PM

To: Quay, Theodore

Subject: do you have copy of DRAFT Information Notice on radiological data collection (the one that was turnd off today)?

From: Beaulieu, David

Sent: Friday, March 25, 201 11:08 AM

To: QTE Resource

Subject: RE: Files Attached: DO#401m: RIS Japan Radiation Measurements

As always, QTE provides outstanding support. Thank you so much.

Dave

From: QTE Resource

Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 10:59 AM

To: Beaulieu, David

Cc: QTE Resource

Subject: Files Attached: DO#401m: RIS Japan Radiation Measurements

David,

We had already completed technical editing so I am sending the document back to you in case it can be of use in the future.

I have attached the clean and compare/edited files for you RIS. Please use the clean file for future revisions.

The compare/edited file shows changes in redline strikeout for your reference. Below are additional comments for the author:

1. Include the RIS number (when known) in title and headers on 2nd and 3rd pages.

2. Insert date, centered before title.

3. Should there be a statement following the Paperwork Reduction Act Statement heading? Why is the Public Protection Notification heading centered and in a different font than the other headings?

4. Insert name, phone number, and e-mail for Technical Contact.

This email is technical editor concurrence with the clean file once all questions and comments are considered.

Please contact QTE.Resource(,nrc.qov if you have questions or feedback.

Regards,

Caroline Hsu

From: Editing rmailto:editingcscainc.com]

Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 8:31 AM

To: QTE Resource

Cc: Hsu, Caroline; ‘Deborah Schneider’

Subject: RE: DO#401m: RIS Japan Radiation Measurements

The subject files are attached.

Helen

From: QTE Resource [mailto:QTE.Resourcebnrc.gov]

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 7:39 PM

To: editinqascainc.com

Cc: Hsu, Caroline; QTE Resource

Subject: DO#401m: RIS Japan Radiation Measurements

Importance: High

Hi Deborah,

I am requesting a level 3 edit of DO#401m RIS 2011-XX: REQUEST FOR LICENSEE RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO JAPANESE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE. Can we have a level 3 edit on this first thing tomorrow morning? If we could have it no later than 10 am, that would be wonderful.

Please also send it to my personal email.

The DO is attached.

Thanks,

Caroline



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