Event Notification Report for March 21, 2003
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center
EVENT REPORTS FOR
03/20/2003 - 03/21/2003
EVENT NUMBERS
39685396863968739785
General Information or Other
Event Number: 39685
Rep Org: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Licensee: LAW ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
Region: 4
City: FORT WORTH State: TX
County:
License #: L05490-000
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES H. OGDEN, JR.
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA
Licensee: LAW ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
Region: 4
City: FORT WORTH State: TX
County:
License #: L05490-000
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: JAMES H. OGDEN, JR.
HQ OPS Officer: ARLON COSTA
Notification Date: 03/21/2003
Notification Time: 11:58 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 03:40 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/21/2003
Notification Time: 11:58 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 03:40 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/21/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
10 CFR Section:
Person (Organization):
CLAUDE JOHNSON (R4)
LARRY CAMPER (NMSS)
CLAUDE JOHNSON (R4)
LARRY CAMPER (NMSS)
AGREEMENT STATE REPORT: STOLEN TROXLER MOISTURE DENSITY GAUGE
"Gauge operator was working the swing shift supporting operations of construction of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Dallas, Texas. Enroute to company office, he stopped by his residence from 3:00 a.m. to 3:40 a.m. for breakfast. Before departing for the storage location, 2200 Gravel Drive, Fort Worth, he noted that the gauge and chain were missing from his company [Law Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.] truck (Black Ford, F-150). The stolen gauge is a Troxler 3411 B, Serial No. 10732, with two sealed sources: Cs-137, 8 millicuries, Serial No. 40-8208 and AM-241/Be, 40 millicuries, Serial No. 46-2134. A report of the theft was made to the White Settlement Police Department and to his supervisor, [DELETED]. The gauge, chain, and lock are completely missing from the vehicle.
"Licensee notified White Settlement Police Department, and Texas Department of Health/Bureau of Radiation Control, TDH/BRC will notify NRC, INEEL, Troxler Electronic Labs, and the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, as well as, the country of Mexico.
"Media attention: None at this time. Licensee is debating notifications to local media and possibly offering a reward for return of the gauge."
"Gauge operator was working the swing shift supporting operations of construction of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Dallas, Texas. Enroute to company office, he stopped by his residence from 3:00 a.m. to 3:40 a.m. for breakfast. Before departing for the storage location, 2200 Gravel Drive, Fort Worth, he noted that the gauge and chain were missing from his company [Law Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.] truck (Black Ford, F-150). The stolen gauge is a Troxler 3411 B, Serial No. 10732, with two sealed sources: Cs-137, 8 millicuries, Serial No. 40-8208 and AM-241/Be, 40 millicuries, Serial No. 46-2134. A report of the theft was made to the White Settlement Police Department and to his supervisor, [DELETED]. The gauge, chain, and lock are completely missing from the vehicle.
"Licensee notified White Settlement Police Department, and Texas Department of Health/Bureau of Radiation Control, TDH/BRC will notify NRC, INEEL, Troxler Electronic Labs, and the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, as well as, the country of Mexico.
"Media attention: None at this time. Licensee is debating notifications to local media and possibly offering a reward for return of the gauge."
Power Reactor
Event Number: 39686
Facility: SEABROOK
Region: 1 State: NH
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MARK McCARTHY
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Region: 1 State: NH
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: MARK McCARTHY
HQ OPS Officer: STEVE SANDIN
Notification Date: 03/21/2003
Notification Time: 21:21 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 20:53 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/22/2003
Notification Time: 21:21 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 20:53 [EST]
Last Update Date: 03/22/2003
Emergency Class: UNUSUAL EVENT
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
10 CFR Section:
50.72(a) (1) (i) - EMERGENCY DECLARED
Person (Organization):
PETE ESELGROTH (R1)
STUART RICHARDS (NRR)
NADER MAMISH (IRO)
WATCH OFFICER (FEMA)
PETE ESELGROTH (R1)
STUART RICHARDS (NRR)
NADER MAMISH (IRO)
WATCH OFFICER (FEMA)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
UNUSUAL EVENT DECLARED DUE TO POTENTIAL INTRUDER INSIDE THE PA
The licensee provided the following information during their initial call:
"We declared a UE (Unusual Event) [at 2053 EST] based on 18A. Security declared code Red. We have an intruder in the PA (Protected Area). We have no indications of off normal plant conditions and we have no specific threat indicated."
The licensee initially reported that their CAS (Central Alarm Station) received an alarm from the security fence around the PA. Some security force members reported seeing some sort of object come over the fence simultaneous with the alarm. Site security immediately responded to the situation, along with the Seabrook Emergency Response Team (SERT), and the FBI.
Region I developed a timeline for this event, contact the HOO for details.
An ongoing conference bridge was established with NSIR management (Holonich, Zimmerman), headquarters and regional IAT members (Warren, Smith, Whitney), Region I management (Miller, Wiggins, Blough, McDermott, Frechette), the NRC Resident Inspector (Dentel), and the FBI.
The NRC went to Monitoring Mode for this event at 2230 EST on 3/22/03.
*** UPDATE AT 0720 EST ON 3/22/03 BY ERIC THOMAS ***
The FBI is conducting interviews with 4 site security personnel. The FBI has completed two of four interviews with security personnel. One, who was in the CAS, says he saw a square-looking object cross his screen that monitors the protected area boundary. The second interviewee was patrolling outside the protected area in his vehicle and saw a large bird (probably a wild turkey) with approximately a four-foot wing span fly across the road in front of him. This coincides with the location and time at which the CAS operator saw the image on his screen.
The licensee is planning to perform walkdowns of all vital systems, and the SERT teams are performing additional sweeps of the protected area this morning. Additionally, licensee personnel in the Seabrook TSC are updating Region I NRC personnel on the situation every 30 minutes.
*** UPDATE AT 1030 EST ON 3/22/03 BY ERIC THOMAS ***
Security personnel completed second sweep of the protected area at 0955 with negative results. Interviews with 4 security personnel by the FBI revealed the following likely scenario:
- Approximately 2030 on 3/21/03 - PA fence alarm coincides with CAS security officer seeing a dark mass coming over the fence on his monitor. CAS personnel then saw this featureless mass disappear behind a building inside the PA.
- Approximately 2100 - CAS security officer notices dark mass on the monitor fly from a building downward over the PA security fence. Shortly thereafter, a security officer on patrol outside the PA sees a wild turkey with approx. 4-foot wing span fly across the road about 20 feet in front of his vehicle.
Searches of the fence line in the area of the intrusion revealed no footprints or damage to the fence. Conclusion by site operations and security personnel, as well as FBI, is that the fence alarm was caused by intrusion of some sort of wild animal, possibly a turkey, and that there was no human intrusion onto the site.
*** UPDATE AT 1102 EST ON 3/22/03 BY LICENSEE TO ERIC THOMAS ***
The licensee terminated the Unusual Event at 1052 EST on 3/22/03.
*** UPDATE AT 1235 EST ON 3/22/03 BY ERIC THOMAS ***
The NRC exited Monitoring Mode at 1205 EST.
A Commissioners' Assistants' brief was held at 1230 EST. See HOO log for additional details.
The licensee provided the following information during their initial call:
"We declared a UE (Unusual Event) [at 2053 EST] based on 18A. Security declared code Red. We have an intruder in the PA (Protected Area). We have no indications of off normal plant conditions and we have no specific threat indicated."
The licensee initially reported that their CAS (Central Alarm Station) received an alarm from the security fence around the PA. Some security force members reported seeing some sort of object come over the fence simultaneous with the alarm. Site security immediately responded to the situation, along with the Seabrook Emergency Response Team (SERT), and the FBI.
Region I developed a timeline for this event, contact the HOO for details.
An ongoing conference bridge was established with NSIR management (Holonich, Zimmerman), headquarters and regional IAT members (Warren, Smith, Whitney), Region I management (Miller, Wiggins, Blough, McDermott, Frechette), the NRC Resident Inspector (Dentel), and the FBI.
The NRC went to Monitoring Mode for this event at 2230 EST on 3/22/03.
*** UPDATE AT 0720 EST ON 3/22/03 BY ERIC THOMAS ***
The FBI is conducting interviews with 4 site security personnel. The FBI has completed two of four interviews with security personnel. One, who was in the CAS, says he saw a square-looking object cross his screen that monitors the protected area boundary. The second interviewee was patrolling outside the protected area in his vehicle and saw a large bird (probably a wild turkey) with approximately a four-foot wing span fly across the road in front of him. This coincides with the location and time at which the CAS operator saw the image on his screen.
The licensee is planning to perform walkdowns of all vital systems, and the SERT teams are performing additional sweeps of the protected area this morning. Additionally, licensee personnel in the Seabrook TSC are updating Region I NRC personnel on the situation every 30 minutes.
*** UPDATE AT 1030 EST ON 3/22/03 BY ERIC THOMAS ***
Security personnel completed second sweep of the protected area at 0955 with negative results. Interviews with 4 security personnel by the FBI revealed the following likely scenario:
- Approximately 2030 on 3/21/03 - PA fence alarm coincides with CAS security officer seeing a dark mass coming over the fence on his monitor. CAS personnel then saw this featureless mass disappear behind a building inside the PA.
- Approximately 2100 - CAS security officer notices dark mass on the monitor fly from a building downward over the PA security fence. Shortly thereafter, a security officer on patrol outside the PA sees a wild turkey with approx. 4-foot wing span fly across the road about 20 feet in front of his vehicle.
Searches of the fence line in the area of the intrusion revealed no footprints or damage to the fence. Conclusion by site operations and security personnel, as well as FBI, is that the fence alarm was caused by intrusion of some sort of wild animal, possibly a turkey, and that there was no human intrusion onto the site.
*** UPDATE AT 1102 EST ON 3/22/03 BY LICENSEE TO ERIC THOMAS ***
The licensee terminated the Unusual Event at 1052 EST on 3/22/03.
*** UPDATE AT 1235 EST ON 3/22/03 BY ERIC THOMAS ***
The NRC exited Monitoring Mode at 1205 EST.
A Commissioners' Assistants' brief was held at 1230 EST. See HOO log for additional details.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 39687
Facility: WOLF CREEK
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DAVE DEES
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS
Region: 4 State: KS
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] W-4-LP
NRC Notified By: DAVE DEES
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS
Notification Date: 03/22/2003
Notification Time: 08:30 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 22:07 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/23/2003
Notification Time: 08:30 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 22:07 [CST]
Last Update Date: 03/23/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
10 CFR Section:
50.72(b)(3)(xiii) - LOSS COMM/ASMT/RESPONSE
Person (Organization):
CLAUDE JOHNSON (R4)
CLAUDE JOHNSON (R4)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH SAFETY PARAMETERS DISPLAY
"On 3/21/2003 at 22:07, the Wolf Creek Generating Station experienced an unexpected loss of the Nuclear Plant Information System (NPIS) Computer. This computer supplies data for the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS). Trouble shooting efforts have been unsuccessful, thus far, in restoring the system. Because SPDS has been lost for longer than a short period of time, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation is making this notification pursuant to 10 CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii). There is no other loss of emergency assessment capability concurrent with this on going loss of the SPDS. Plant personnel entered the applicable Off Normal procedures and are taking local readings of equipment normally monitored by the NPIS Computer."
The Licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
*** UPDATE ON 3/23/03 AT 1645 CST FROM DAVE DEES TO ARLON COSTA ***
"At 1320 CST 3/23/2003 the NPIS Computer was returned to service and declared operable. The return of the NPIS Computer to an operable condition restored the SPDS assessment capability function."
The Licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
"On 3/21/2003 at 22:07, the Wolf Creek Generating Station experienced an unexpected loss of the Nuclear Plant Information System (NPIS) Computer. This computer supplies data for the Safety Parameter Display System (SPDS). Trouble shooting efforts have been unsuccessful, thus far, in restoring the system. Because SPDS has been lost for longer than a short period of time, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation is making this notification pursuant to 10 CFR50.72(b)(3)(xiii). There is no other loss of emergency assessment capability concurrent with this on going loss of the SPDS. Plant personnel entered the applicable Off Normal procedures and are taking local readings of equipment normally monitored by the NPIS Computer."
The Licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
*** UPDATE ON 3/23/03 AT 1645 CST FROM DAVE DEES TO ARLON COSTA ***
"At 1320 CST 3/23/2003 the NPIS Computer was returned to service and declared operable. The return of the NPIS Computer to an operable condition restored the SPDS assessment capability function."
The Licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector.
Power Reactor
Event Number: 39785
Facility: PEACH BOTTOM
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [2] [3] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID J. FOSS
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [2] [3] []
RX Type: [2] GE-4,[3] GE-4
NRC Notified By: DAVID J. FOSS
HQ OPS Officer: ERIC THOMAS
Notification Date: 04/23/2003
Notification Time: 10:23 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 12:19 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/23/2003
Notification Time: 10:23 [ET]
Event Date: 03/21/2003
Event Time: 12:19 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 04/23/2003
Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
10 CFR Section:
50.73(a)(1) - INVALID SPECIF SYSTEM ACTUATION
Person (Organization):
HAROLD GRAY (R1)
HAROLD GRAY (R1)
| Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
| 3 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation |
INVALID SPECIFIED SYSTEM ACTUATION
"This 60-day optional report, as allowed by 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), is being made under the reporting requirement in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(iv)(A) to describe an unplanned, invalid actuation of a specified system, specifically the E-2 Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG).
"On March 21, 2003, a momentary short was created during the installation of test jacks, which resulted in an invalid start signal to the E-2 EDG. The E-2 EDG started, however, the associated emergency buses remained energized from their normal power supplies.
"The affected emergency diesel generator responded as expected for the given conditions and was subsequently returned to a normal configuration per plant procedures. No deficiencies or abnormalities were noted during the event.
"This event has been entered into the site-specific corrective action program for resolution.
"The NRC resident has been informed."
"This 60-day optional report, as allowed by 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), is being made under the reporting requirement in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(iv)(A) to describe an unplanned, invalid actuation of a specified system, specifically the E-2 Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG).
"On March 21, 2003, a momentary short was created during the installation of test jacks, which resulted in an invalid start signal to the E-2 EDG. The E-2 EDG started, however, the associated emergency buses remained energized from their normal power supplies.
"The affected emergency diesel generator responded as expected for the given conditions and was subsequently returned to a normal configuration per plant procedures. No deficiencies or abnormalities were noted during the event.
"This event has been entered into the site-specific corrective action program for resolution.
"The NRC resident has been informed."