[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 10, Volume 2]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 10CFR73.67]



[Page 448-453]

 

                            TITLE 10--ENERGY

 

          CHAPTER I--NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

 

PART 73_PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF PLANTS AND MATERIALS--Table of Contents

 

Sec. 73.67  Licensee fixed site and in-transit requirements for the 

physical protection of special nuclear material of moderate and low 

strategic significance.



    (a) General performance objectives. (1) Each licensee who possesses, 

uses or transports special nuclear material of moderate or low strategic 

significance shall establish and maintain a physical protection system 

that will achieve the following objectives:

    (i) Minimize the possibilities for unauthorized removal of special 

nuclear material consistent with the potential consequences of such 

actions; and

    (ii) Facilitate the location and recovery of missing special nuclear 

material.

    (2) To achieve these objectives, the physical protection system 

shall provide:

    (i) Early detection and assessment of unauthorized access or 

activities by an external adversary within the controlled access area 

containing special nuclear material;

    (ii) Early detection of removal of special nuclear material by an 

external adversary from a controlled access area;

    (iii) Assure proper placement and transfer of custody of special 

nuclear material; and

    (iv) Respond to indications of an unauthorized removal of special 

nuclear material and then notify the appropriate response forces of its 

removal in order to facilitate its recovery.

    (b)(1) A licensee is exempt from the requirements of this section to 

the extent that he possesses, uses, or transports:

    (i) Special nuclear material which is not readily separable from 

other radioactive material and which has a total external radiation dose 

rate in excess of 100 rems per hour at a distance of 3 feet from any 

accessible surface without intervening shielding, or

    (ii) Sealed plutonium-beryllium neutron sources totaling 500 grams 

or less contained plutonium at any one site or contiguous sites, or

    (iii) Plutonium with an isotopic concentration exceeding 80 percent 

in plutonium-238.

    (2) A licensee who has quantities of special nuclear material 

equivalent to special nuclear material of moderate strategic 

significance distributed over several buildings may, for each building 

which contains a quantity of special nuclear material less than or equal 

to a level of special nuclear material of low strategic significance, 

protect the material in that building under the



[[Page 449]]



lower classification physical security requirements.

    (c) Each licensee who possesses, uses, transports, or delivers to a 

carrier for transport special nuclear material of moderate strategic 

significance, or 10 kg or more of special nuclear material of low 

strategic significance shall:

    (1) Submit a security plan or an amended security plan describing 

how the licensee will comply with all the requirements of paragraphs 

(d), (e), (f), and (g) of this section, as appropriate, including 

schedules of implementation. The licensee shall retain a copy of the 

effective security plan as a record for three years after the close of 

period for which the licensee possesses the special nuclear material 

under each license for which the original plan was submitted. Copies of 

superseded material must be retained for three years after each change.

    (2) Within 30 days after the plan submitted pursuant to paragraph 

(c)(1) of this section is approved, or when specified by the NRC in 

writing, implement the approved security plan.

    (d) Fixed site requirements for special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance. Each licensee who possesses, stores, or uses 

quantities and types of special nuclear material of moderate strategic 

significance at a fixed site or contiguous sites, except as allowed by 

paragraph (b)(2) of this section and except those who are licensed to 

operate a nuclear power reactor pursuant to part 50, shall:

    (1) Use the material only within a controlled access area which is 

illuminated sufficiently to allow detection and surveillance of 

unauthorized penetration or activities,

    (2) Store the material only within a controlled access area such as 

a vault-type room or approved security cabinet or their equivalent which 

is illuminated sufficiently to allow detection and surveillance of 

unauthorized penetration or activities,

    (3) Monitor with an intrusion alarm or other device or procedures 

the controlled access areas to detect unauthorized penetration or 

activities,

    (4) Conduct screening prior to granting an individual unescorted 

access to the controlled access area where the material is used or 

stored, in order to obtain information on which to base a decision to 

permit such access,

    (5) Develop and maintain a controlled badging and lock system to 

identify and limit access to the controlled access areas to authorized 

individuals,

    (6) Limit access to the controlled access areas to authorized or 

escorted individuals who require such access in order to perform their 

duties,

    (7) Assure that all visitors to the controlled access areas are 

under the constant escort of an individual who has been authorized 

access to the area,

    (8) Establish a security organization or modify the current security 

organization to consist of at least one watchman per shift able to 

assess and respond to any unauthorized penetrations or activities in the 

controlled access areas,

    (9) Provide a communication capability between the security 

organization and appropriate response force,

    (10) Search on a random basis vehicles and packages leaving the 

controlled access areas, and

    (11) Establish and maintain written response procedures for dealing 

with threats of thefts or thefts of these materials. The licensee shall 

retain a copy of the response procedures as a record for the period 

during which the licensee possesses the appropriate type and quantity of 

special nuclear material requiring this record under each license for 

which the original procedures were developed and, for three years 

thereafter. Copies of superseded material must be retained for three 

years after each change.

    (e) In-transit requirements for special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance. (1) Each licensee who transports, exports or 

delivers to a carrier for transport special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance shall:

    (i) Provide advance notification to the receiver of any planned 

shipments specifying the mode of transport, estimated time of arrival, 

location of the nuclear material transfer point, name of carrier and 

transport identification,

    (ii) Receive confirmation from the receiver prior to the 

commencement of the planned shipment that the receiver will be ready to 

accept the shipment at



[[Page 450]]



the planned time and location and acknowledges the specified mode of 

transport,

    (iii) Check the integrity of the container and locks or seals prior 

to shipment, and

    (iv) Arrange for the in-transit physical protection of the materials 

in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 73.67(e)(3) unless the 

receiver is a licensee and has agreed in writing to arrange for the in-

transit physical protection.

    (2) Each licensee who receives special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance shall:

    (i) Check the integrity of the containers and seals upon receipt of 

the shipment,

    (ii) Notify the shipper of receipt of the material as required in 

Sec. 74.15 of this chapter, and

    (iii) Arrange for the in-transit physical protection of the material 

in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 73.67(e)(3) unless the 

shipper is a licensee and has agreed in writing to arrange for the in-

transit physical protection.

    (3) Each licensee who arranges for the in-transit physical 

protection of special nuclear material of moderate strategic 

significance, or who takes delivery of this material free on board 

(f.o.b.) the point at which it is delivered to a carrier for transport 

shall:

    (i) Arrange for telephone or radio communications between the 

transport and the licensee or its designee: (A) To periodically confirm 

the status of the shipment (B) for notification of any delays in the 

scheduled shipment, and (C) to request appropriate local law enforcement 

agency response in the event of an emergency.

    (ii) Minimize the time that the material is in transit by reducing 

the number and duration of nuclear material transfers and by routing the 

material in the most safe and direct manner,

    (iii) Conduct screening of all licensee employees involved in the 

transportation of the material in order to obtain information on which 

to base a decision to permit them control over the material,

    (iv) Establish and maintain written response procedures for dealing 

with threats of thefts or thefts of this material. The licensee shall 

retain a copy of the current response procedures as a record for three 

years after the close of period for which the licensee possesses the 

special nuclear material under each license for which the original 

procedures were developed and copies of superseded material must be 

retained for three years after each change.

    (v) Make arrangements to be notified immediately of the arrival of 

the shipment at its destination, or of any such shipment that is lost or 

unaccounted for after the estimated time of arrival at its destination, 

and

    (vi) Initiate immediately a trace investigation of any shipment that 

is determined to be lost or unaccounted for after a reasonable time 

beyond the estimated arrival time.

    (vii) Notify the NRC Operations Center \1\ within one hour after the 

discovery of the loss of the shipment and within one hour after recovery 

of or accounting for such lost shipment in accordance with the 

provisions of Sec. 73.71 of this part.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



    \1\ Commercial telephone number of the NRC Operations Center is 

(301) 816-5100.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



    (4) Each licensee who arranges the physical protection of strategic 

special nuclear material in quantities of moderate strategic 

significance while in transit or who takes delivery of this material 

free on board (f.o.b.) the point at which it is delivered to a carrier 

for transport shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs (e) (1), 

(2), and (3) of this section. The licensee shall retain each record 

required by paragraphs (e) (1), (2), (3), and (4) (i) and (ii) of this 

section for three years after close of period licensee possesses special 

nuclear material under each license that authorizes these licensee 

activities. Copies of superseded material must be retained for three 

years after each change. In addition, the licensee shall--

    (i) Make all shipments of the material either (A) in dedicated 

transports with no intermediate stops to load or unload other cargo and 

with no carrier or vehicle transfers or temporary storage in-transit, or 

(B) under arrangements whereby the custody of the shipment and all 

custody transfers are acknowledged by signature, and



[[Page 451]]



    (ii) Maintain the material under lock or under the control of an 

individual who has acknowledged acceptance of custody of the material by 

signature.

    (5) Each licensee who exports special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance shall comply with the requirements specified in 

paragraphs (c) and (e) (1), (3), and (4) of this section. The licensee 

shall retain each record required by these sections for three years 

after the close of period for which the licensee possesses the special 

nuclear material under each license that authorizes the licensee to 

export this material. Copies of superseded material must be retained for 

three years after each change.

    (6) Each licensee who imports special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance shall,

    (i) Comply with the requirements specified in paragraphs (c) and (e) 

(2), (3), and (4) of this section. The licensee shall retain each record 

required by these sections for three years after the close of period for 

which the licensee possesses the special nuclear material under each 

license that authorizes the licensee to import this material. Copies of 

superseded material must be retained for three years after each change.

    (ii) Notify the exporter who delivered the material to a carrier for 

transport of the arrival of such material.

    (7) If, after receiving advance notice pursuant to Sec. 73.72 from 

a licensee planning to import, export, transport, deliver to a carrier 

for transport in a single shipment, or take delivery at the point where 

it is delivered to a carrier, special nuclear material of moderate 

strategic significance containing in any part strategic special nuclear 

material, it appears to the Commission that two or more shipments of 

special nuclear material of moderate strategic significance, 

constituting in the aggregate an amount equal to or greater than a 

formula quantity of strategic special nuclear material, may be en route 

at the same time, the Commission may order one or more of the shippers 

to delay shipment according to the following provisions:

    (i) The shipper shall provide to the Commission, upon request, such 

additional information regarding a planned shipment as the Commission 

considers pertinent to the decision on whether to delay such shipment.

    (ii) The receiver of each shipment, or the shipper if the receiver 

is not a licensee, shall notify the Director, Division of Nuclear 

Security, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, by 

telephone, no later than 24 hours after arrival of such shipment at its 

final destination, or after such shipment has left the United States as 

an export, to confirm the integrity of the shipment at the time of 

receipt or exit from the United States.

    (iii) The Commission shall notify the affected shippers no later 

than two days before the scheduled shipment date that a given shipment 

is to be delayed.

    (iv) Shipments of special nuclear material of moderate strategic 

significance which are protected in accordance with the provisions of 

Sec. Sec. 73.20, 73.25, and 73.26 shall not be subject to orders to 

delay shipment nor considered to constitute a portion of an aggregate 

formula quantity of strategic special nuclear material for the purposes 

of determining whether any shipments must delayed.

    (f) Fixed site requirements for special nuclear material of low 

strategic significance. Each licensee who possesses, stores, or uses 

special nuclear material of low strategic significance at a fixed site 

or contiguous sites, except those who are licensed to operate a nuclear 

power reactor pursuant to part 50, shall:

    (1) Store or use the material only within a controlled access area,

    (2) Monitor with an intrusion alarm or other device or procedures 

the controlled access areas to detect unauthorized penetrations or 

activities,

    (3) Assure that a watchman or offsite response force will respond to 

all unauthorized penetrations or activities, and

    (4) Establish and maintain response procedures for dealing with 

threats of thefts or thefts of this material. The licensee shall retain 

a copy of the current response procedures as a record for three years 

after the close of period for which the licensee possesses the



[[Page 452]]



special nuclear material under each license for which the procedures 

were established. Copies of superseded material must be retained for 

three years after each change.

    (g) In-transit requirements for special nuclear material of low 

strategic significance. (1) Each licensee who transports or who delivers 

to a carrier for transport special nuclear material of low strategic 

significance shall:

    (i) Provide advance notification to the receiver of any planned 

shipments specifying the mode of transport, estimated time of arrival, 

location of the nuclear material transfer point, name of carrier and 

transport identification,

    (ii) Receive confirmation from the receiver prior to commencement of 

the planned shipment that the receiver will be ready to accept the 

shipment at the planned time and location and acknowledges the specified 

mode of transport,

    (iii) Transport the material in a tamper indicating sealed 

container,

    (iv) Check the integrity of the containers and seals prior to 

shipment, and

    (v) Arrange for the in-transit physical protection of the material 

in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 73.67(g)(3) of this part, 

unless the receiver is a licensee and has agreed in writing to arrange 

for the in-transit physical protection.

    (2) Each licensee who receives quantities and types of special 

nuclear material of low strategic significance shall:

    (i) Check the integrity of the containers and seals upon receipt of 

the shipment,

    (ii) Notify the shipper of receipt of the material as required in 

Sec. 70.54 of part 70 of this chapter, and

    (iii) Arrange for the in-transit physical protection of the material 

in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 73.67(g)(3) of this part, 

unless the shipper is a licensee and has agreed in writing to arrange 

for the in-transit physical protection.

    (3) Each licensee, either shipper or receiver, who arranges for the 

physical protection of special nuclear material of low strategic 

significance while in transit or who takes delivery of such material 

free on board (f.o.b.) the point at which it is delivered to a carrier 

for transport shall:

    (i) Establish and maintain response procedures for dealing with 

threats or thefts of this material. The licensee shall retain a copy of 

the current response procedures as a record for three years after the 

close of period for which the licensee possesses the special nuclear 

material under each license for which the procedures were established. 

Copies of superseded material must be retained for three years after 

each change.

    (ii) Make arrangements to be notified immediately of the arrival of 

the shipment at its destination, or of any such shipment that is lost or 

unaccounted for after the estimated time of arrival at its destination, 

and

    (iii) Conduct immediately a trace investigation of any shipment that 

is lost or unaccounted for after the estimated arrival time and notify 

the NRC Operations Center \1\ within one hour after the discovery of the 

loss of the shipment and within one hour after recovery of or accounting 

for such lost shipment in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 73.71 

of this part.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



    \1\ Commercial telephone number of the NRC Operation Center is (301) 

816-5100.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------



    (4) Each licensee who exports special nuclear material of low 

strategic significance shall comply with the appropriate requirements 

specified in paragraphs (c) and (g) (1) and (3) of this section. The 

licensee shall retain each record required by these sections for three 

years after the close of period for which the licensee possesses the 

special nuclear material under each license that authorizes the licensee 

to export this material. Copies of superseded material must be retained 

for three years after each change.

    (5) Each licensee who imports special nuclear material of low 

strategic significance shall:

    (i) Comply with the requirements specified in paragraphs (c) and (g) 

(2) and (3) of this section and retain each record required by these 

paragraphs for three years after the close of period for which the 

licensee possesses the special nuclear material under each license that 

authorizes the licensee to import



[[Page 453]]



this material. Copies of superseded material must be retained for three 

years after each change.

    (ii) Notify the person who delivered the material to a carrier for 

transport of the arrival of such material.



[44 FR 43283, July 24, 1979. Redesignated at 44 FR 68198, Nov. 28, 1979, 

and amended at 45 FR 19215, Mar. 25, 1980; 47 FR 19114, May 4, 1982; 52 

FR 21657, June 9, 1987; 53 FR 19260, May 27, 1988; 57 FR 33431, July 29, 

1992, 59 FR 14087, Mar. 25, 1994; 67 FR 3586, Jan. 25, 2002; 67 FR 

78143, Dec. 23, 2002; 68 FR 14530, Mar. 26, 2003; 68 FR 23575, May 5, 

2003]



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