"Functional Criteria for Emergency Response Facilities", NUREG-0696 (Generic Letter 80-73)

                                 UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555

                               August 1, 1980
TO ALL APPLICANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION PERMITS, LICENSEES OF PLANTS UNDER
CONSTRUCTION AND ALL OPERATING NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

SUBJECT: "FUNCTIONAL CRITERIA FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE FACILITIES"
                 NUREG-0696

Gentlemen:

On May 19, 1980, a Safety Data Integration Group (SDIG) was formed to
coordinate and integrate the various NRC offices in developing the
functional criteria for emergency response facilities and nuclear power
facilities and the nuclear data link (NDL).

The SDIG met with industry representatives on May 20, 1980, to discuss their
concerns with the implementation of NRC requirements for emergency response
facilities.  This meeting served to establish (1) contacts within the
industry and NRC for each of the major facilities, (2) a course of action
for further exchange of technical information between NRC and an industry
subcommittee on these matters, and (3) a vehicle for receiving
recommendations as the overall concept was being finalized.  After the staff
developed the initial draft of NUREG-0696, copies were provided to industry
groups for their comments.  A meeting was then held on June 19, 1980, in
Bethesda, to obtain industry comments and recommendations.  Pertinent
comments were incorporated in the document.  NUREG-0696, concomitant with a
proposal for the NDL, was presented to the Commission on July 11, 1980.  The
Commission approved the NDL in concept and authorized development of
specifications for the NDL; and, after incorporation of Commission comments,
authorized NUREG-0696 to be published for a public comment period of
30 days.  In addition, a proposed implementation schedule for meeting the
criteria of NUREG-0696 was also presented and is provided as enclosure (1)
for planning purposes.

Enclosure (2), Draft NUREG-0696, provides the draft functional criteria for
emergency response facilities.  You are requested to review the document and
provide comments to the NRC, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Emergency
Preparedness Program Office (ATTN: Mr. Steve L. Ramos, Mail Stop
Phillips 242) Washington, D. C. 20555, within 30 days of reciept of this
letter or the Federal Register Notice announcing publication of Draft 
NUREG-0696 which ever is later.  As you will note in enclosure (1), it is
NRC's intent to publish NUREG-0696 in final form no later than
October 1, 1980; therefore, it is imperative to receive any comments or
recommendations as soon as possible.



8009080080
.-                                     2 -                                    August 1, 1980


In order to provide a forum for interaction between the NRC staff and
licensees, workshops are being planned at NRC Inspection and Enforcement,
Region I, II, and III the week of August 17, 1980.  Announcement of exact
times and places will be provided by Federal Register Notice.

Fur further information, please contact Mr. Warren Minners (301) 492-7581 or
Mr. Steve Ramos (301) 492-8119.

                                                                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                                                                      ORIGINAL SIGNED BY

                                                                                                                      Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director
                                                                                                                      Division of Licensing
                                                                                                                      Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation


Enclosures:
1.  Implementation Schedule for NUREG-0696
2.  NUREG-0696

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