Notice of Availability of a Regulatory Issue Summary for Deferring Active Regulation of Ground-Water Protection at In Situ Leach Uranium Extraction Facilities

摘要

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has developed Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2004-02, "Deferral of Active Regulation of Ground-Water Protection at In Situ Leach (ISL) Uranium Extraction Facilities" dated February 23, 2004. The NRC regulation of ground water at ISL facilities often duplicates the ground-water protection programs required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, as administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or EPA-authorized States. The NRC is proposing to end duplication of ground-water protection programs at ISL facilities by deferring active ground-water regulation to EPA-authorized States. The RIS summarizes the process that the NRC plans to use for insuring that a State's ground-water protection program provides adequate protection of public health and safety, and the environment, equivalent to the NRC program. Interested parties may comment on the proposed approach. The comment period will be open for 30 days from the publication of this notice.