Issue Date: 09/14/1998
NRC INSPECTION MANUAL PIPB
This procedure establishes guidelines and procedures to be used by NRR staff in requesting formal Regional review and comment on documents or proposals relating to the inspection program. The procedure does not apply to documents to be sent to Regions for information and specific action.
02.01 To ensure Regional review and comment are obtained on relevant documents and proposals.
02.02 To minimize the impact on Regional resources required to respond to requests for review and comment.
02.03 To define the types of documents that will be sent to one or more Regions for comment.
03.01 Division Directors. Approve requests for Regional review and comment.
03.02 Chief, Inspection Program Branch (PIPB)
a. | Approves and signs requests for Regional review and comment on documents related to the reactor inspection program. | |
b. | Monitors requests for specific Regional review and comments on inspection program documents to ensure that the review and comment workload is evenly distributed. |
03.03 Responsible NMSS Branch Chief
a. | Approve and sign requests for Regional review and comment on documents related to the materials and fuels inspection programs, safeguards inspection program for fuels and other non-reactor licensees, and the transportation inspection program. |
04.01 All individuals who are considering sending documents relating to the inspection program to the Regions for review and comment should assess the value to be gained from review by one or more Regions.
04.02 Following are the criteria to be used in determining whether documents warrant review and comment by one or more Regions.
a. | Any proposed action that will have an impact on resources in one or more Regions. | |
b. | The subject is significant in terms of Regional programs. | |
c. | There is a valid need for Regional perspective on the subject, and review in one or more Regions is necessary to get an accurate Regional perspective. | |
d. | Comments from one or more Regions on the subject would add significant value that would justify use of Regional resources that would be needed for review. | |
e. | There is known interest and involvement in the subject within the Regions. |
04.03 Documents should not be sent to all Regions for comment if comments from one or two Regions will suffice. In general, review by all Regions should be requested if (a) all Regions have expressed interest in the subject, or (b) a major policy issue is involved.
04.04 The following documents need not be sent to the Regions for comment:
a. | Minor or nonsubstantive changes. | |
b. | Editorial or format changes. | |
c. | As otherwise determined by the Chief, PIPB. |
04.05 Transmittal to Regional Offices. The following guidelines should be followed in transmitting documents related to the inspection program to the Regions for review and comment:
a. | Staff development on the subject must have been sufficient to produce a good quality draft document (no rough first draft floaters). | |
b. | The Chief, PIPB, transmits the documents to the Regional Administrators or the Deputy Regional Administrators. | |
c. | Identify a person the Region could contact to discuss the document. | |
d. | Requests for comment should be prepared far enough in advance of deadlines to permit a reasonable comment period, in general, not less than 20 days for mailed correspondence. If schedule constraints require a shorter comment period, correspondence should be transmitted electronically or by express mail (or equivalent) to the Regions. | |
e. | Include PIPB on the distribution for all responses from the Regions concerning Regional review and comment on the reactor inspection program. | |
f. | Copies of requests for Regional review and comment for inspection manual chapters (new or revised) that involve major policy changes should be sent to the Chief, Regional Operations Staff, Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs, and the Office of the Inspector General. |
END