Proposed Amendments to the Georgia Rules

for Radioactive Materials

Notice

In accordance with the Policy Statement of the Board of Natural Resources adopted on September 27, 2000, this memorandum is provided to coordinate with the Environmental Protection Committee and to seek input on the proposed rule amendments.

EPD will be proposing the following rules for revision:

Rules for Radioactive Materials, Chapter 391-3-17

The proposed changes revolve around increasing the security and consistency of transporting radioactive material, increasing the security of portable gauges containing radioactive materials, allowing for certification through specialty medical boards for authorized users of radioactive materials, increasing the financial assurance needed to possess a radioactive materials license, and tracking sealed radioactive material sources from manufacture, through distribution and use until its disposal. These proposed rule amendments follow closely with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulations to maintain compatibility with federal regulations and those of other Agreement States.

EPD will solicit public input on the proposed amendments and will hold a public meeting on April 21 followed by a public hearing on May 5, 2008. In addition, the public participation process will include providing a copy of the synopsis and proposed amendments to Georgia’s nearly 600 Radioactive Materials licensees. We expect to bring the proposed amendments to the Board for action on August 27, 2008.

Please find for your review and consideration

• Synopsis and Statement of Rationale for the proposed amendments to the Georgia Rules for Radioactive Materials
• Proposed amendments to the Georgia Rules for Radioactive Materials showing additions with underlines and deletions with strikethroughs.
• Comments and Questions from the Public Notice with EPD's Responses

Technical questions about the proposed rules can be directed to:

Cynthia A. Sanders, Manager
Radioactive Materials Program
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
4220 International Parkway, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30354

rad_materials@dnr.state.ga.us

Written comments are welcomed. In order to be included in EPD's summary to the Board of Natural Resources, written comments should be received by close of business on May 23, 2008. Written comments may be e-mailed to EPDComments@dnr.state.ga.us or sent via regular mail addressed to:

Program Coordination Branch Chief

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Suite 1452 East Floyd Tower

Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9000