Consolidation of the NRC Region IV and Region V Offices

	 
                                 UNITED STATES
                         NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                     OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION 
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20555

                                 July 13, 1994


NRC ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER 94-08:  CONSOLIDATION OF THE NRC REGION IV AND       
                                  REGION V OFFICES

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear
reactors.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this administrative
letter to inform addressees of the consolidation of the NRC Region IV and
Region V offices.  This administrative letter does not transmit or imply any
new or changed requirements or staff positions.  No specific action or written
response is required.

Background

In 1961, the Atomic Energy Commission established the original five NRC
regional office boundaries.  Although this geographical structure has served
well in the past, during recent years there has been a relative decrease in
the authorized staffing in Regions IV and V.  This decrease has been due
primarily to the permanent shutdown of nuclear power plant facilities and the
termination of some materials licenses.  In March 1993, the Commission
directed the staff to study possible alternatives for region realignment. 
This effort was completed in 1993 and resulted in a new organizational
structure combining Regions IV and V, as described in the next section. 
Materials licensees have received separate notice of this organizational
change.

Discussion

On April 4, 1994, NRC Region V was abolished.  The responsibilities of the NRC
Region IV office, in Arlington, Texas, were expanded to include the licensed
nuclear activities of the seven-State area that had been the responsibility of
the former Region V office, in Walnut Creek, California.

The expanded Region IV area will cover the following 21 States:

      Alaska                  Kansas                  Oklahoma
      Arizona                 Louisiana               Oregon
      Arkansas                Montana                 South Dakota
      California              Nebraska                Texas
      Colorado                Nevada                  Utah
      Hawaii                  New Mexico              Washington
      Idaho                   North Dakota            Wyoming

9407070207                                                            AL 94-08
                                                            July 13, 1994
                                                            Page 2 of 2


The newly organized Region IV office is now responsible for the field
regulatory oversight of 19 nuclear power plant units and approximately 1000 
NRC-regulated nuclear material licensees.  Region IV is headed by 
Leonard J. Callan, Administrator, and John M. Montgomery, Deputy
Administrator.  Attached is a chart showing the new Region IV organization.

The NRC is retaining a subsidiary office in Walnut Creek, which has been
designated the Walnut Creek Field Office and which is an extension of the
Region IV office.  The field office director is Kenneth E. Perkins, Jr. 
Mr. Perkins will report to A. Bill Beach, the Director of Reactor Projects in
the Region IV Office.

The Walnut Creek field office will oversee resident inspection activities at
operational nuclear power plants located in Arizona, California and
Washington.  Staff located at the field office will also perform inspection
activities throughout the Region IV area of responsibility under the direction
of technical divisions in Arlington.  A public affairs officer, two NRC
investigators, an allegations coordinator, a state liaison officer, and an
agreement states officer are included in the field office staff.  

The main Region IV office in Arlington has the lead responsibility for NRC 
response to emergencies at licensed nuclear sites in all 21 States of the
newly consolidated regional area and will coordinate emergency responses from
the NRC incident response center in Arlington.  

This administrative letter requires no specific action or written response. 
If you have any questions about this letter, please contact the contact listed
below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project
manager.


                                    /s/'d by BKGrimes

                                    Brian K. Grimes, Director
                                    Division of Operating Reactor Support
                                    Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Contact:  Elinor G. Adensam, NRR
          (301) 504-1353

Attachments:
1.  Region IV Organization as of 4/4/94