FACACLASSIC

Note: An Annual Comprehensive Review, as required by §7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, is conducted each year on committee data entered for the previous fiscal year (referred to as the reporting year). The data for the reporting year is not considered verified until this review is complete and the data is moved to history for an agency/department. See the Data From Previous Years section at the bottom of this page for the committee’s historical, verified data.

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NRC - 1100 - Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste - Agency Authority

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Advisory Committee on Nuclear Waste	Agency Name	Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Fiscal Year	2008	Committee Number	1100
Original Establishment Date	1/6/1988	Committee Status	Terminated
Actual Termination Date	7/14/2007	Committee URL
Actual Merged Date		Presidential Appointments*	No
New Committee This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	5
Terminated This FY	Yes	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	DFO
Merged This FY		Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Current Charter Date	6/6/2007	Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Michele
Date Of Renewal Charter		Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Kelton
Exempt From Renewal*	No	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Termination Authority	42 U.S.C. 2201	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	301/415-6901
Establishment Authority*	Agency Authority	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Specific Establishment Authority*	42 U.S.C. 2201	Designated Federal Officer Email*	msk@nrc.gov
Effective Date Of Authority*	1/6/1988
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Scientific Technical Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Terminate
Legislation to Terminate Required	No
Legislation Status
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The ACNW&M was in existence only during the 1st half of FY08. The ACNW&M was established in 1988 to provide independent technical advice to the Commission in the area of high level waste activities. In January of 2008, the Commission directed that the ACNW&M be merged into the ACRS. The Commission had concluded that the original objective of the ACNW&M had been fulfilled and that currently, the need for independent advice is in the area of nuclear materials and radiation protection related to licensing and certification reviews for new nuclear power reactors, MOX, and GNEP facilities. The last ACNW&M meeting was held in May 2008.The Committee reported to and provided the Commission independent review of and advice on technical matters related to nuclear waste and materials issues. The bases of ACNW&M reviews included 10 CFR Parts 20, 40, 50, 60, 61, 63, 71, and 72, and other applicable regulations and legislative mandates. The ACNW&M undertook studies and activities related to the transportation, storage, and disposal of high- and low-level radioactive waste, including the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel; materials safety; decommissioning; application of risk-informed and performance-based regulations; and evaluation of licensing documents, rules, regulatory guidance, and other issues, as requested by the Commission. The Committee interacted with representatives of the public, NRC, the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, other Federal agencies, State and local agencies, Native American Nations, and private, international, and other affected organizations as appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities. The Committee issued written reports, provided advice to the Commission on matters within its scope of responsibilities and met periodically with the Commissioners in public meetings to discuss issues of mutual interest. The focus of the ACNW&M work during FY 2008 was on issues related to the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, on the proposed high-level waste repository at the Yucca Mountain, Nevada, site, and radiation protection. The ACNW&M members were chosen for their technical expertise relevant to waste and materials issues important to the Commission. Consultants were used on occasion to augment the expertise of the ACNW&M members in specific areas. The Committee had a full-time staff that providesd technical support and administrative services, and assured compliance with FACA requirements. ACNW&M working groups comprised of ACNW&M members and consultants with the appropriate expertise, were used on occasion to address specific technical issues in depth. These working groups held public meetings, and their activities are also conducted under FACA requirements. Stakeholder participation in ACNW&M meetings were encouraged and routinely occurred. ACNW&M meeting agenda, meeting transcripts, and letter reports are available for downloading or viewing on the Internet at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html or http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/. The ACNW&M issued an Action Plan for Commission approval and a self-assessment which was included in its Annual Operating Plan. The ACNW&M conducted ongoing reviews of its plans and schedules to ensure that it properly addressed regulatory matters within its scope of responsibilities and that its schedules were consistent with the needs of its stakeholders. Input from the Commission, the NRC staff, and affected stakeholders was used in this process. A Memorandum of Understanding with the NRC staff provided a framework for interactions between the ACNW&M and the staff.
How is membership balanced?*	The Commission appointed ACNW&M members with the scientific and engineering expertise needed to address the waste and materials issues of importance to the Commission. Members were sought who could provide an independent perspective on these issues, and who possess outstanding scientific and technical ability, balanced and mature judgment, and a willingness to devote the time required to carry out the timely completion of the Committee's work. Members were appointed for 4-year terms and, absent unusual circumstances; and did not serve more than two terms. Members were reappointed at the end of a 4-year term only if there was a compelling continuing need for their expertise. Vacancies in the ACNW&M membership was filled from the pool of applicants which existed after solicitations of interest are published in the Federal Register, trade and professional society publications, and the press. Recommendations to the Commission as to the selection of qualified candidates from this pool were made by the ACNW&M Member Candidate Screening Panel. The ACNW&M members normally provide input to this Panel. The diversity of viewpoints represented by current members was based on special fields of interest, professional experience, and technical expertise. These member attributes provided the Committee with the balance of highly qualified technical expertise and diverse perspectives necessary to effectively carry out the Committee's statutory requirements. By the time of its merger with ACRS, the Committee included one member from academia, two members from a national laboratory (one retired), and one member from private industry. The ACNW&M included members experienced in radioactive waste and materials, chemistry, health physics, decommissioning, risk assessment, earth sciences, environmental engineering, and performance assessment. There was a systematic effort to obtain members with backgrounds that could address the difficult and diverse questions associated with radioactive waste and materials management. This concentration of the relevant scientific proficiency within the Committee, together with a diversity of viewpoints and perspectives, provides assurance that adequate, independent, and open discussion and analysis of the potential hazards associated with the management of nuclear waste and materials took place.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	Normally, all ACNW&M members met 8 times a year for 2-3 days in Committee meetings. In FY 2008, the ACNW&M held 7 Committee meetings. The number of meetings held was directly related to the scope of NRC's efforts on the high-level waste geologic repository and other issues involving waste and materials ; the number of criteria, guides, and technical positions referred to the ACNW&M for review and comment; the number of special reviews requested by the NRC staff; and the number of important topics of concern to the Committee and its stakeholders. Status Plan for Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008 formed the basis for the selection of issues to be addressed during its 2008 meetings. The written reports that contain the ACNW&M's advice were issued during Committee meetings. When resources were available, the ACNW&M held working group meetings on particularly complex issues. At these meetings, additional time and expertise was used in support of understanding the technical details of any issues under the Committee’s consideration. Reviews were conducted during each Committee meeting to assess the relevance of proposed topics, resource needs, and the priority of each activity. These assessments had the benefit of input from the Commission, NRC's Executive Director for Operations (EDO), and other stakeholders. All ACNW&M meetings for this reporting period addressed matters delineated in the ACNW&M's Action Plan, specific requests from either the Commission or the EDO, or other important regulatory matters within the scope of the responsibilities.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	The ACNW&M was in existence only during the 1st half of FY08. The ACNW&M was established in 1988 to provide independent technical advice to the Commission in the area of high level waste activities. In January of 2008, the Commission directed that the ACNW&M be merged into the ACRS. The Commission had concluded that the original objective of the ACNW&M had been fulfilled and that currently, the need for independent advice is in the area of nuclear materials and radiation protection related to licensing and certification reviews for new nuclear power reactors, MOX, and GNEP facilities. The last ACNW&M meeting was held in May 2008.The ACNW&M was a body of recognized experts in the field of nuclear waste and materials whose mandate was to provide independent advice to the Commission. The ACNW&M provided the public assurance that an independent technical review and evaluation of nuclear waste and materials safety issues was accomplished and that there was an opportunity for public input.
Why close or partially close meetings?	During FY 2008, the Committee held 7 Full Committee meetings, all of which were open to public attendance. .
Recommendation Remarks	NONE

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	Yes	Action Reorganize Priorities*	Yes
Outcome Trust In Government	Yes	Action Reallocate Resources	Yes
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	Yes
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	Yes	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	Yes	Action Comment	NA
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	Yes	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	No	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	NA	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	NA	Grants Review Comment	NA
Number Of Recommendations*	900	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	NA	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	90.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	NA	Access GSA FACA Website	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	10.00%	Access Publications	No
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	NA	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	N/A
Agency Feedback Comment*	Through written responses to letter report and recommendations.	Narrative Description*	The ACNW&M was in existence only during the 1st half of FY08. The ACNW&M was established in 1988 to provide independent technical advice to the Commission in the area of high level waste activities. In January of 2008, the Commission directed that the ACNW&M be merged into the ACRS. The Commission had concluded that the original objective of the ACNW&M had been fulfilled and that currently, the need for independent advice is in the area of nuclear materials and radiation protection related to licensing and certification reviews for new nuclear power reactors, MOX, and GNEP facilities. The last ACNW&M meeting was held in May 2008.The ACNW&M developed an Operating Plan and an Action Plan which described the priorities and planned activities for the Committee for the current fiscal year. These priority and program activities were closely linked to the NRC’s Strategic Plan. The ACNW&M staff participated in the Agency’s formulation of the Strategic Plan and its goals. The mission of the ACNW&M was to support the NRC’s mission in the areas of nuclear materials and waste management.

COSTS

1. Payments to Non-Federal Members*	$182,676.00	1. Est Paymnts to Non-Fed Membrs Nxt FY*	$0.00
2. Payments to Federal Members*	$0.00	2. Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*	$0.00
3. Payments to Federal Staff*	$605,858.00	3. Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*	$0.00
4. Payments to Consultants*	$13,935.00	4. Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*	$0.00
5. Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Membrs*	$73,888.00	5. Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Membr nxtFY*	$0.00
6. Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*	$0.00	6. Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*	$0.00
7. Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*	$10,788.00	7. Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staf Nxt FY*	$0.00
8. Travel Reimb. For Consultants*	$0.00	8. Est Travel Reimb to Consltnts Nxt FY*	$0.00
10. Other Costs	$77,829.00	10. Est. Other Costs Next FY*	$0.00
11. Total Costs	$964,974.00	11. Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified		Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*	0.00
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*	7.00	Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

No interest areas selected for this committee.

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