US NRC PR re Envirocare

[Mike Grissom <mikeg@SLAC.Stanford.EDU>]

Radsafers,

The US NRC has found more accountability problems
at Envirocare in Utah (see below press release).

S.,

MikeG.

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Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Public Affairs -- Region IV
611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400, Arlington TX 76011
Breck Henderson (Phone: 817/860-8128, E-mail: bwh@nrc.gov)
RIV: 98-16
April 22, 1998

     NRC INSPECTION FINDS APPARENT VIOLATION
OF FEDERAL REGULATION;
AGENCY REQUIRES FURTHER INFORMATION

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a report
on a special inspection and investigation of Envirocare of
Utah, which operates a radioactive waste disposal facility
near Clive, Utah.

The inspection, conducted last October, determined that
Envirocare apparently violated NRC regulations by possessing
special nuclear material in quantities in excess of Federal
limits between May and September 1997. A subsequent
investigation, concluded in February, has raised a concern
that this apparent violation may involve careless disregard
for the NRC's regulatory requirements.

In his letter transmitting the report to Envirocare, NRC
Regional Administrator Ellis W. Merschoff has directed that
the company provide information concerning the reasons for
the apparent violation (including the issue of careless
disregard); corrective steps that have been taken and
results achieved; measures taken to avoid further
violations; and the date when full compliance with NRC
requirements will be achieved. Mr. Merschoff said NRC is
postponing a decision on enforcement action until current
enforcement proceedings between Envirocare and the State of
Utah on the same issue are concluded.

Special nuclear material is defined as certain isotopes of
uranium and plutonium that, in sufficient quantity and
geometry, could result in a nuclear fission chain reaction.
However, there was never any possibility that such a chain
reaction could have occurred at Envirocare because the
special nuclear material was dispersed through many tons of
contaminated soil and other wastes received from various
sources.

The company has 30 days to comply with the demand for
information.

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