This file is available on a Cryptome DVD offered by Cryptome. Donate $25 for a DVD of the Cryptome 10-year archives of 35,000 files from June 1996 to June 2006 (~3.5 GB). Click Paypal or mail check/MO made out to John Young, 251 West 89th Street, New York, NY 10024. Archives include all files of cryptome.org, cryptome2.org, jya.com, cartome.org, eyeball-series.org and iraq-kill-maim.org. Cryptome offers with the Cryptome DVD an INSCOM DVD of about 18,000 pages of counter-intelligence dossiers declassified by the US Army Information and Security Command, dating from 1945 to 1985. No additional contribution required -- $25 for both. The DVDs will be sent anywhere worldwide without extra cost.


23 October 2006


[Federal Register: October 23, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 204)]

[Notices]               

[Page 62130-62136]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23oc06-87]                         



=======================================================================

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



NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION



[EA-06-224]



 

In the Matter of USEC Inc. (American Centrifuge Plant) and All 

Other Persons Who Seek or Obtain Access to Safeguards Information 

Described Herein; Order Imposing Requirements for the Protection of and 

Access to Safeguards Information (Effective Immediately)



I



    USEC Inc. (USEC or the Applicant) applied for a license, to be 

issued in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act (AEA) of 1954, by the 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) authorizing it 

to construct and operate a uranium enrichment facility, known as the 

American Centrifuge Plant, in Piketon, Ohio. NRC plans to provide USEC, 

for its information, copies of Orders issued to Category III facilities 

on interim measures to enhance physical security at those facilities. 

Those Orders will contain Safeguards Information.\1\ In addition, in 

the future, the Commission may issue the Applicant additional Orders 

that require compliance with specific additional security measures to 

enhance security at the facility. These Orders are also expected to 

contain Safeguards Information, which cannot be released to the public 

and must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Therefore, the 

Commission is imposing the requirements, as set forth in Attachments A, 

B, and C of this Order, so that the Applicant can receive these 

documents. This Order also imposes requirements for the protection of 

Safeguards Information in the hands of any person,\2\ whether or not a 

Applicant of the Commission, who produces, receives, or acquires 

Safeguards Information.

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



    \1\ Safeguards Information is a form of sensitive, unclassified, 

security-related information that the Commission has the authority 

to designate and protect under section 147 of the AEA.

    \2\ Person means: (1) Any individual, corporation, partnership, 

firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, 

group, government agency other than the Commission or the Department 

of Energy, except that the Department of Energy shall be considered 

a person with respect to those facilities of the Department 

specified in section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 

(88 Stat. 1244), any State or any political subdivision of, or any 

political entity within a State, any foreign government or nation or 

any political subdivision of any such government or nation, or other 

entity; and (2) any legal successor, representative, agent, or 

agency of the foregoing.

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



    On August 8, 2005, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) was 

enacted. Section 652 of the EPAct amended Section 149 of the AEA to 

require fingerprinting and a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 

identification and criminal history records check of any person who is 

to be permitted to have access to Safeguards Information. The NRC's 

implementation of this requirement cannot await the completion of the 

Safeguards Information rulemaking, which is underway, because the EPAct 

fingerprinting and criminal history check requirements for access to 

Safeguards Information were immediately effective upon enactment of the 

EPAct. Although the EPAct permits the Commission by rule to except 

certain categories of individuals from the fingerprinting requirement, 

which the Commission has done (See 10 CFR 73.59, 71 FR 33,989 (June 13, 

2006)), it is unlikely that many Applicant employees are excepted from 

the fingerprinting requirement by the ``fingerprinting relief'' rule. 

Individuals relieved from the fingerprinting and criminal history 

checks under the relief rule include Federal, State, and local 

officials and law enforcement personnel; Agreement State inspectors, 

who conduct security inspections on behalf of the NRC; members of 

Congress and certain employees of members of Congress or Congressional 

Committees; representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency 

or certain foreign government organizations. In addition, individuals 

who have a favorably-decided U.S. Government criminal history check 

within the last five (5) years, and individuals who have active Federal 

security clearances (provided in either case that they make available 

the appropriate documentation), have satisfied the EPAct fingerprinting 

requirement and need not be fingerprinted again. Therefore, in 

accordance with Section 149 of the AEA, as amended by the EPAct, the 

Commission is imposing additional requirements, as set forth by this 

Order, for access to Safeguards Information so that affected Applicant 

can obtain and grant access to Safeguards Information. This Order also 

imposes requirements for access to Safeguards Information by any 

person, from any person, whether or not a Licensee, Applicant, or 

Certificate Holder of the Commission or Agreement States.

    Subsequent to the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, the NRC 

issued Orders requiring certain entities to implement Additional 

Security Measures (ASM) or Compensatory Measures (CM) for certain 

radioactive materials. The requirements imposed by these Orders, and 

certain measures



[[Page 62131]]



licensees have developed to comply with the Orders, were designated by 

the NRC as Safeguards Information. For some materials licensees, the 

storage and handling requirements for the Safeguards Information have 

been modified from the existing 10 CFR Part 73 Safeguards Information 

requirements for reactors and fuel cycle facilities that require a 

higher level of protection; such Safeguards Information is designated 

as Safeguards Information--Modified Handling (SGI-M). However, the 

information subject to the SGI-M handling and protection requirements 

is Safeguards Information, and licensees, applicants, and other persons 

who seek or obtain access to such Safeguards Information are subject to 

this Order.



II



    The Commission has broad statutory authority to protect Safeguards 

Information and prohibit its unauthorized disclosure. Section 147 of 

the AEA, as amended, grants the Commission explicit authority to ``* * 

* issue such orders, as necessary to prohibit the unauthorized 

disclosure of safeguards information. * * *'' Furthermore, Section 652 

of the EPAct amended Section 149 of the AEA to require fingerprinting 

and an FBI identification and a criminal history records check of each 

individual who seeks access to Safeguards Information. In addition, no 

person may have access to Safeguards Information unless the person has 

an established need-to-know and satisfies the trustworthy and 

reliability requirements of those Orders.

    Licensees, applicants, and all persons who produce, receive, or 

acquire Safeguards Information must ensure proper handling and 

protection of Safeguards Information, to avoid unauthorized disclosure, 

in accordance with the specific requirements for the protection of 

Safeguards Information contained in Attachments A, B, and C. The 

Commission hereby provides notice that it intends to treat violations 

of the requirements contained in Attachments A, B, and C, applicable to 

the handling and unauthorized disclosure of Safeguards Information, as 

serious breaches of adequate protection of the public health and safety 

and the common defense and security of the United States. Access to 

Safeguards Information is limited to those persons who have established 

a need-to-know the information, and are considered to be trustworthy 

and reliable, and who satisfy the fingerprinting and criminal history 

records check required by the EPAct and this Order. A ``need-to-know'' 

means a determination by a person having responsibility for protecting 

Safeguards Information that a proposed recipient's access to Safeguards 

Information is necessary in the performance of official, contractual, 

or Applicant duties of employment. The Applicant and all other persons 

who obtain Safeguards Information must ensure that they develop, 

maintain, and implement strict policies and procedures for the proper 

handling of Safeguards Information, to prevent unauthorized disclosure, 

in accordance with the requirements in Attachments A, B, and C. The 

Applicant must ensure that all contractors whose employees may have 

access to Safeguards Information either adhere to the Applicant's 

policies and procedures on Safeguards Information or develop, maintain, 

and implement their own acceptable policies and procedures. The 

Applicant remains responsible for the conduct of its contractors. The 

policies and procedures necessary to ensure compliance with applicable 

requirements contained in Attachments A, B, and C must address, at a 

minimum, the following: (1) The general performance requirement that 

each person who produces, receives, or acquires Safeguards Information 

shall ensure that Safeguards Information is protected against 

unauthorized disclosure; (2) protection of Safeguards Information at 

fixed sites, in use and in storage, and while in transit; (3) 

correspondence containing Safeguards Information; (4) access to 

Safeguards Information; (5) preparation, marking, reproduction, and 

destruction of documents; (6) external transmission of documents; (7) 

use of automatic data processing systems; and (8) removal of the 

Safeguards Information category.

    To provide assurance that the Applicant is implementing appropriate 

measures to achieve a consistent level of protection to prohibit the 

unauthorized disclosure of Safeguards Information, the Applicant shall 

implement the requirements for access to Safeguards Information in this 

Order, including the requirements in Attachments A, B, and C of this 

Order. In addition, pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202, I find that in light of 

the common defense and security matters identified above, which warrant 

the issuance of this Order, the public health, safety, and interest 

require that this Order be effective immediately.



III



    Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 53, 62, 63, 81, 147, 149, 161b, 

161i, 161o, 182, and 186 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 

and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 2.202, 10 CFR Part 30, 10 

CFR Part 40, and 10 CFR Part 70, It is hereby ordered, Effective 

Immediately, that the applicant and all other persons who produce, 

receive, or acquire the additional security measures identified above 

(whether draft or final), or who seek or obtain access to Safeguards 

Information, shall comply with the requirements set forth in this 

order, including the requirements in Attachments A, B, and C.

    A. 1. No person may have access to Safeguards Information unless 

that person has a need-to-know the Safeguards Information, has been 

fingerprinted or who has a favorably decided FBI identification and 

criminal history records check, and satisfies all other applicable 

requirements for access to Safeguards Information. Fingerprinting and 

the FBI identification and criminal history records check are not 

required, however, for any person who is relieved from that requirement 

by 10 CFR 73.59 (71 FR 33,989 (June 13, 2006)) or who has a favorably-

decided U.S. Government criminal history check within the last five (5) 

years, or who has an active Federal security clearance, provided in 

each case that the appropriate documentation is made available to the 

Applicant's NRC-approved reviewing official.

    2. No person may have access to any Safeguards Information if the 

NRC has determined, based on fingerprinting and an FBI identification 

and criminal history records check, that the person may not have access 

to Safeguards Information.

    B. No person may provide Safeguards Information to any other person 

except in accordance with condition III.A above. Prior to providing 

Safeguards Information to any person, a copy of this Order shall be 

provided to that person.

    C. The Applicant shall comply with the following requirements:

    1. The Applicant shall, within twenty (20) days of the date of this 

Order, establish and maintain a fingerprinting program that meets the 

requirements of Attachment C to this Order.

    2. The Applicant shall, within twenty (20) days of the date of this 

Order, submit the fingerprints of one (1) individual who needs access 

to Safeguards Information and who the Applicant nominates as the 

``reviewing official'' for determining access to Safeguards Information 

by other individuals. The NRC will determine whether this individual 

(or any subsequent reviewing official) may have access to Safeguards 

Information and, therefore, will be permitted to serve as



[[Page 62132]]



the Applicant's reviewing official.\3\ The Applicant may, at the same 

time or later, submit the fingerprints of other individuals to whom the 

Applicant seeks to grant access to Safeguards Information. Fingerprints 

shall be submitted and reviewed in accordance with the procedures 

described in Attachment C of this Order.

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



    \3\ The NRC's determination of this individual's access to 

Safeguards Information in accordance with the process described in 

Enclosure 3 to the transmittal letter of this Order is an 

administrative determination that is outside the scope of this 

Order.

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



    3. The Applicant shall, in writing, within twenty (20) days of the 

date of this Order, notify the Commission, (1) If it is unable to 

comply with any of the requirements described in the Order, including 

Attachments A, B, and C, or (2) if compliance with any of the 

requirements is unnecessary in its specific circumstances. The 

notification shall provide the Applicant's justification for seeking 

relief from or variation of any specific requirement.

    Applicant responses to C.1., C.2., and C.3. above shall be 

submitted to the Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 

Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. 

In addition, Applicant responses shall be marked as ``Security-Related 

Information--Withhold Under 10 CFR 2.390.'' The Director, Office of 

Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, may, in writing, relax or 

rescind any of the above conditions, on demonstration of good cause by 

the Applicant.



IV



    In accordance with 10 CFR 2.202, the Applicant must, and any other 

person adversely affected by this Order may, submit an answer to this 

Order, and may request a hearing on this Order, within twenty (20) days 

of the date of this Order. Where good cause is shown, consideration 

will be given to extending the time to request a hearing. A request for 

extension of time in which to submit an answer or request a hearing 

must be made in writing to the Director, Office of Nuclear Material 

Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 

DC 20555, and include a statement of good cause for the extension. The 

answer may consent to this Order. Unless the answer consents to this 

Order, the answer shall, in writing and under oath or affirmation, 

specifically set forth the matters of fact and law on which the 

Applicant or other person adversely affected relies, and the reasons as 

to why the Order should not have been issued. Any answer or request for 

a hearing shall be submitted to the Secretary, Office of the Secretary, 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Rulemakings and Adjudications 

Staff, Washington, DC 20555. Copies also shall be sent to the Director, 

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555; to the Assistant General 

Counsel for Materials Litigation and Enforcement, at the same address; 

and to the Applicant, if the answer or hearing request is by a person 

other than the Applicant. Because of possible delays in delivery of 

mail to United States Government offices, it is requested that answers 

and requests for hearing be transmitted to the Secretary of the 

Commission, either by means of facsimile transmission, to 301-415-1101, 

or by e-mail, to hearingdocket@nrc.gov; and also to the Office of the 

General Counsel, either by means of facsimile transmission, to 301-415-

3725, or by e-mail, to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov. If a person other than 

the Applicant requests a hearing, that person shall set forth with 

particularity the manner in which their interest is adversely affected 

by this Order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 2.309.

    If a hearing is requested by the Applicant or a person whose 

interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue an Order 

designating the time and place of any hearing. If a hearing is held, 

the issue to be considered at such hearing shall be whether this Order 

should be sustained.

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202(c)(2)(i), the Applicant may, in addition 

to demanding a hearing, at the time the answer is filed or sooner, move 

the presiding officer to set aside the immediate effectiveness of the 

Order on the grounds that the Order, including the need for immediate 

effectiveness, is not based on adequate evidence, but on mere 

suspicion, unfounded allegations, or error. In the absence of any 

request for hearing, or written approval of an extension of time in 

which to request a hearing, the provisions specified in Section III 

above shall be final twenty (20) days from the date of this Order, 

without further order or proceedings. If an extension of time for 

requesting a hearing has been approved, the provisions specified in 

Section III shall be final when the extension expires, if a hearing 

request has not been received. An answer or a request for hearing shall 

not stay the immediate effectiveness of this order.



    Dated this 4th day of October 2006.

    For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.



Jack R. Strosnider,

Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.



Attachment A--Modified Handling Requirements for the Protection of 

Certain Safeguards Information (SGI-M)



General Requirement



    Information and material that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) determines are safeguards information must be 

protected from unauthorized disclosure. In order to distinguish 

information needing modified protection requirements from the 

safeguards information for reactors and fuel cycle facilities that 

require a higher level of protection, the term ``Safeguards 

Information--Modified Handling'' (SGI-M) is being used as the 

distinguishing marking for certain materials licensees. Each person who 

produces, receives, or acquires SGI-M shall ensure that it is protected 

against unauthorized disclosure. To meet this requirement, applicants, 

licensees, and persons shall establish and maintain an information 

protection system that includes the measures specified below. 

Information protection procedures employed by State and local police 

forces are deemed to meet these requirements.



Persons Subject to These Requirements



    Any person, whether or not an applicant or licensee of the NRC, who 

produces, receives, or acquires SGI-M is subject to the requirements 

(and sanctions) of this document. Firms and their employees that supply 

services or equipment to materials licensees fall under this 

requirement if they possess SGI-M. An applicant or licensee must inform 

contractors and suppliers of the existence of these requirements and 

the need for proper protection. (See more under Conditions for Access) 

State or local police units who have access to SGI-M are also subject 

to these requirements. However, these organizations are deemed to have 

adequate information protection systems. The conditions for transfer of 

information to a third party, i.e., need-to-know, would still apply to 

the police organization as would sanctions for unlawful disclosure. 

Again, it would be prudent for applicants and licensees who have 

arrangements with local police to advise them of the existence of SGI-M 

requirements.



Criminal and Civil Sanctions



    The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, explicitly provides that 

any person, ``whether or not a licensee of the



[[Page 62133]]



Commission, who violates any regulations adopted under this section 

shall be subject to the civil monetary penalties of section 234 of this 

Act.'' Furthermore, willful violation of any regulation or order 

governing safeguards information is a felony subject to criminal 

penalties in the form of fines or imprisonment, or both. See sections 

147b. and 223 of the Act.



Conditions for Access



    Access to SGI-M beyond the initial recipients of the order will be 

governed by the background check requirements imposed by the order. 

Access to SGI-M by applicant or licensee employees, agents, or 

contractors must include both an appropriate need-to-know determination 

by the applicant or licensee, as well as a determination concerning the 

trustworthiness of individuals having access to the information. 

Employees of an organization affiliated with the applicant's or 

licensee's company, e.g., a parent company, may be considered as 

employees of the applicant or licensee for access purposes.



Need-To-Know



    Need-to-know is defined as a determination by a person having 

responsibility for protecting SGI-M that a proposed recipient's access 

to SGI-M is necessary in the performance of official, contractual, or 

applicant or licensee duties of employment. The recipient must be made 

aware that the information is SGI-M and those having access to it are 

subject to these requirements as well as criminal and civil sanctions 

for mishandling the information.



Occupational Groups



    Dissemination of SGI-M is limited to individuals who have an 

established need-to-know and who are members of certain occupational 

groups. These occupational groups are:

    1. An employee, agent, or contractor of an applicant, a licensee, 

the Commission, or the United States Government;

    2. A member of a duly authorized committee of the Congress;

    3. The Governor of a State or his designated representative;

    4. A representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency 

(IAEA) engaged in activities associated with the U.S./IAEA Safeguards 

Agreement who has been certified by the NRC;

    5. A member of a state or local law enforcement authority that is 

responsible for responding to requests for assistance during safeguards 

emergencies;

    6. A person to whom disclosure is ordered pursuant to Section 

2.744(e) of Part 2 of part 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations; or

    7. State Radiation Control Program Directors (and State Homeland 

Security Directors) or their designees.

    In a generic sense, the individuals described above in (A) through 

(G) are considered to be trustworthy by virtue of their employment 

status. For non-governmental individuals in group (A) above, a 

determination of reliability and trustworthiness is required. 

Discretion must be exercised in granting access to the individuals in 

group (A). If there is any indication that the recipient would be 

unwilling or unable to provide proper protection for the SGI-M, they 

are not authorized to receive SGI-M.



Information Considered for Safeguards Information Designation



    Information deemed SGI-M is information the disclosure of which 

could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse effect on 

the health and safety of the public or the common defense and security 

by significantly increasing the likelihood of theft, diversion, or 

sabotage of materials or facilities subject to NRC jurisdiction.

    SGI-M identifies safeguards information which is subject to these 

requirements. These requirements are necessary in order to protect 

quantities of nuclear material significant to the health and safety of 

the public or common defense and security.

    The overall measure for consideration of SGI-M is the usefulness of 

the information (security or otherwise) to an adversary in planning or 

attempting a malevolent act. The specificity of the information 

increases the likelihood that it will be useful to an adversary.



Protection While in Use



    While in use, SGI-M shall be under the control of an authorized 

individual. This requirement is satisfied if the SGI-M is attended by 

an authorized individual even though the information is in fact not 

constantly being used. SGI-M, therefore, within alarm stations, 

continuously manned guard posts or ready rooms need not be locked in 

file drawers or storage containers.

    Under certain conditions the general control exercised over 

security zones or areas would be considered to meet this requirement. 

The primary consideration is limiting access to those who have a need-

to-know. Some examples would be:

    Alarm stations, guard posts and guard ready rooms;

    Engineering or drafting areas if visitors are escorted and 

information is not clearly visible;

    Plant maintenance areas if access is restricted and information is 

not clearly visible;

    Administrative offices (e.g., central records or purchasing) if 

visitors are escorted and information is not clearly visible.



Protection While in Storage



    While unattended, SGI-M shall be stored in a locked file drawer or 

container. Knowledge of lock combinations or access to keys protecting 

SGI-M shall be limited to a minimum number of personnel for operating 

purposes who have a ``need-to-know'' and are otherwise authorized 

access to SGI-M in accordance with these requirements. Access to lock 

combinations or keys shall be strictly controlled so as to prevent 

disclosure to an unauthorized individual.



Transportation of Documents and Other Matter



    Documents containing SGI-M when transmitted outside an authorized 

place of use or storage shall be enclosed in two sealed envelopes or 

wrappers. The inner envelope or wrapper shall contain the name and 

address of the intended recipient, and be marked both sides, top and 

bottom with the words ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling.'' 

The outer envelope or wrapper must be addressed to the intended 

recipient, must contain the address of the sender, and must not bear 

any markings or indication that the document contains SGI-M.

    SGI-M may be transported by any commercial delivery company that 

provides nationwide overnight service with computer tracking features, 

U.S. first class, registered, express, or certified mail, or by any 

individual authorized access pursuant to these requirements.

    Within a facility, SGI-M may be transmitted using a single opaque 

envelope. It may also be transmitted within a facility without single 

or double wrapping, provided adequate measures are taken to protect the 

material against unauthorized disclosure. Individuals transporting SGI-

M should retain the documents in their personal possession at all times 

or ensure that the information is appropriately wrapped and also 

secured to preclude compromise by an unauthorized individual.



Preparation and Marking of Documents



    While the NRC is the sole authority for determining what specific



[[Page 62134]]



information may be designated as ``SGI-M,'' originators of documents 

are responsible for determining whether those documents contain such 

information. Each document or other matter that contains SGI-M shall be 

marked ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling'' in a conspicuous 

manner on the top and bottom of the first page to indicate the presence 

of protected information. The first page of the document must also 

contain (i) The name, title, and organization of the individual 

authorized to make a SGI-M determination, and who has determined that 

the document contains SGI-M, (ii) the date the document was originated 

or the determination made, (iii) an indication that the document 

contains SGI-M, and (iv) an indication that unauthorized disclosure 

would be subject to civil and criminal sanctions. Each additional page 

shall be marked in a conspicuous fashion at the top and bottom with 

letters denoting ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling.''

    In additional to the ``Safeguards Information--Modified Handling'' 

markings at the top and bottom of page, transmittal letters or 

memoranda which do not in themselves contain SGI-M shall be marked to 

indicate that attachments or enclosures contain SGI-M but that the 

transmittal does not (e.g., ``When separated from SGI-M enclosure(s), 

this document is decontrolled'').

    In addition to the information required on the face of the 

document, each item of correspondence that contains SGI-M shall, by 

marking or other means, clearly indicate which portions (e.g., 

paragraphs, pages, or appendices) contain SGI-M and which do not. 

Portion marking is not required for physical security and safeguards 

contingency plans.

    All documents or other matter containing SGI-M in use or storage 

shall be marked in accordance with these requirements. A specific 

exception is provided for documents in the possession of contractors 

and agents of applicants or licensees that were produced more than one 

year prior to the effective date of the order. Such documents need not 

be marked unless they are removed from file drawers or containers. The 

same exception applies to old documents stored away from the facility 

in central files or corporation headquarters.

    Since information protection procedures employed by State and local 

police forces are deemed to meet NRC requirements, documents in the 

possession of these agencies need not be marked as set forth in this 

document.



Removal from SGI-M Category



    Documents containing SGI-M shall be removed from the SGI-M category 

(decontrolled) only after the NRC determines that the information no 

longer meets the criteria of SGI-M. Applicants and licensees have the 

authority to make determinations that specific documents which they 

created no longer contain SGI-M information and may be decontrolled. 

Consideration must be exercised to ensure that any document 

decontrolled shall not disclose SGI-M in some other form or be combined 

with other unprotected information to disclose SGI-M.

    The authority to determine that a document may be decontrolled may 

be exercised only by, or with the permission of, the individual (or 

office) who made the original determination. The document shall 

indicate the name and organization of the individual removing the 

document from the SGI-M category and the date of the removal. Other 

persons who have the document in their possession should be notified of 

the decontrolling of the document.



Reproduction of Matter Containing SGI-M



    SGI-M may be reproduced to the minimum extent necessary consistent 

with need without permission of the originator. Newer digital copiers 

which scan and retain images of documents represent a potential 

security concern. If the copier is retaining any information in memory, 

the copier cannot be connected to a network. It should also be placed 

in a location that is cleared and controlled for the authorized 

processing of SGI-M information. Different copiers have different 

capabilities, including some which come with features that allow the 

memory to be erased. Each copier would have to be examined from a 

physical security perspective.



Use of Automatic Data Processing (ADP) Systems



    SGI-M may be processed or produced on an ADP system provided that 

the system is assigned to the applicant's, licensee's, or contractor's 

facility and requires the use of an entry code/password for access to 

stored information. Applicants or licensees must process this 

information in a computing environment that has adequate computer 

security controls in place to prevent unauthorized access to the 

information. An ADP system is defined here as a data processing system 

having the capability of long term storage of information. Word 

processors such as typewriters are not subject to the requirements as 

long as they do not transmit information off-site. (Note: if SGI-M is 

produced on a typewriter, the ribbon must be removed and stored in the 

same manner as other SGI-M information or media.) The basic objective 

of these restrictions is to prevent access and retrieval of stored SGI-

M by unauthorized individuals, particularly from remote terminals. 

Specific files containing SGI-M will be password protected to preclude 

access by an unauthorized individual. SGI-M files may be transmitted 

over a network if the file is encrypted. In such cases, the applicant 

or licensee will select a commercially available encryption system that 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has validated as 

conforming to Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). SGI-M 

files shall be properly labeled as ``Safeguards Information--Modified 

Handling'' and saved to removable media and stored in a locked file 

drawer or cabinet. The NIST maintains a listing of all validated 

encryption systems at http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/140-1/1401val.htm.





Telecommunications



    SGI-M may not be transmitted by unprotected telecommunications 

circuits except under emergency or extraordinary conditions. For the 

purpose of this requirement, emergency or extraordinary conditions are 

defined as any circumstances that require immediate communications in 

order to report, summon assistance for, or respond to a security event 

(or an event that has potential security significance).

    This restriction applies to telephone, telegraph, teletype, 

facsimile circuits, and to radio. Routine telephone or radio 

transmission between site security personnel, or between the site and 

local police, should be limited to message formats or codes that do not 

disclose facility security features or response procedures. Similarly, 

call-ins during transport should not disclose information useful to a 

potential adversary. Infrequent or non-repetitive telephone 

conversations regarding a physical security plan or program are 

permitted provided that the discussion is general in nature.

    Individuals should use care when discussing SGI-M at meetings or in 

the presence of others to ensure that the conversation is not overheard 

by persons not authorized access. Transcripts, tapes or minutes of 

meetings or hearings that contain SGI-M shall be marked and protected 

in accordance with these requirements.



[[Page 62135]]



Destruction



    Documents containing SGI-M must be destroyed when no longer needed. 

They may be destroyed by tearing into small pieces, burning, shredding 

or any other method that precludes reconstruction by means available to 

the public at large. Piece sizes one half inch or smaller composed of 

several pages or documents and thoroughly mixed are considered 

completely destroyed.



Attachment B--Trustworthiness and Reliability Requirements for 

Individuals Handling Safeguards Information



    Applicants or licensees shall document the basis for concluding 

that there is reasonable assurance that individuals granted access to 

safeguards information are trustworthy and reliable, and do not 

constitute an unreasonable risk for malevolent use of the regulated 

material.

    The trustworthiness, reliability, and verification of an 

individual's true identity shall be determined based on a background 

investigation. The background investigation shall address at least the 

past three (3) years, and, as a minimum, include a Federal Bureau of 

Investigation fingerprinting and criminal history check, verification 

of employment history, education, employment eligibility, credit check, 

and personal references. If an individual's employment has been less 

than the required three (3) year period, educational references may be 

used in lieu of employment history.

    The applicant's or licensee's background investigation requirements 

may be satisfied for an individual that has an active Federal security 

clearance.



Attachment C--Requirements for Fingerprinting and Criminal History 

Checks of Individuals When Applicant's or Licensee's Reviewing Official 

is Determining Access to Safeguards Information



General Requirements



    Applicants and licensees shall comply with the requirements of this 

attachment.

    1. a. Each applicant or licensee subject to the provisions of this 

attachment shall fingerprint each individual who is seeking or 

permitted access to Safeguards Information (SGI). The Applicant or 

Licensee shall review and use the information received from the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and ensure that the provisions contained 

in the subject Order and this attachment are satisfied.

    b. The Applicant or Licensee shall notify each affected individual 

that the fingerprints will be used to secure a review of his/her 

criminal history record and inform the individual of the procedures for 

revising the record or including an explanation in the record, as 

specified in the ``Right to Correct and Complete Information'' section 

of this attachment.

    c. Fingerprints need not be taken if an employed individual (e.g., 

an applicant or licensee employee, contractor, manufacturer, or 

supplier) is relieved from the fingerprinting requirement by 10 CFR 

73.59, has a favorably-decided U.S. Government criminal history check 

within the last five (5) years, or has an active Federal security 

clearance. Written confirmation from the Agency/employer which granted 

the Federal security clearance or reviewed the criminal history check 

must be provided. The Applicant or Licensee must retain this 

documentation for a period of three (3) years from the date the 

individual no longer requires access to SGI associated with the 

Applicant's or Licensee's activities.

    d. All fingerprints obtained by the Applicant or Licensee pursuant 

to this Order must be submitted to the Commission for transmission to 

the FBI.

    e. The Applicant or Licensee shall review the information received 

from the FBI and consider it, in conjunction with the trustworthy and 

reliability requirements, in making a determination whether to grant 

access to Safeguards Information to individuals who have a need-to-know 

the SGI.

    f. The Applicant or Licensee shall use any information obtained as 

part of a criminal history records check solely for the purpose of 

determining an individual's suitability for access to Safeguards 

Information.

    g. The Applicant or Licensee shall document the basis for its 

determination whether to grant access to SGI.

    2. The Applicant or Licensee shall notify the NRC of any desired 

change in reviewing officials. The NRC will determine whether the 

individual nominated as the new reviewing official may have access to 

Safeguards Information based on a previously-obtained or new criminal 

history check and, therefore, will be permitted to serve as the 

Applicant's or Licensee's reviewing official.



Prohibitions



    The Applicant or Licensee shall not base a final determination to 

deny an individual access to Safeguards Information solely on the basis 

of information received from the FBI involving: an arrest more than one 

(1) year old for which there is no information of the disposition of 

the case, or an arrest that resulted in dismissal of the charge or an 

acquittal.

    The Applicant or Licensee shall not use information received from a 

criminal history check obtained pursuant to this Order in a manner that 

would infringe upon the rights of any individual under the First 

Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, nor shall the 

Applicant or Licensee use the information in any way which would 

discriminate among individuals on the basis of race, religion, national 

origin, sex, or age.



Procedures for Processing Fingerprint Checks



    For the purpose of complying with this Order, the Applicant or 

Licensee shall, using an appropriate method listed in 10 CFR 73.4, 

submit to the NRC's Division of Facilities and Security, Mail Stop T-

6E46, one completed, legible standard fingerprint card (Form FD-258, 

ORIMDNRCOOOZ) or, where practicable, other fingerprint records for each 

individual seeking access to Safeguards Information, to the Director of 

the Division of Facilities and Security, marked for the attention of 

the Division's Criminal History Check Section. Copies of these forms 

may be obtained by writing the Office of Information Services, U.S. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, by calling 

(301) 415-5877, or by e-mail to forms@nrc.gov. Practicable alternative 

formats are set forth in 10 CFR 73.4. The Applicant or Licensee shall 

establish procedures to ensure that the quality of the fingerprints 

taken results in minimizing the rejection rate of fingerprint cards due 

to illegible or incomplete cards.

    The NRC will review submitted fingerprint cards for completeness. 

Any Form FD-258 fingerprint record containing omissions or evident 

errors will be returned to the Applicant for corrections. The fee for 

processing fingerprint checks includes one re-submission if the initial 

submission is returned by the FBI because the fingerprint impressions 

cannot be classified. The one free re-submission must have the FBI 

Transaction Control Number reflected on the re-submission. If 

additional submissions are necessary, they will be treated as initial 

submittals and will require a second payment of the processing fee.

    Fees for processing fingerprint checks are due upon application. 

Applicants or licensees shall submit payment with the application for 

processing fingerprints by corporate check, certified check, cashier's 

check, money order, or electronic payment, made payable to ``U.S. 

NRC.'' [For guidance on making



[[Page 62136]]



electronic payments, contact the Facilities Security Branch, Division 

of Facilities and Security, at (301) 415-7739]. Combined payment for 

multiple applications is acceptable. The application fee (currently 

$27) is the sum of the user fee charged by the FBI for each fingerprint 

card or other fingerprint record submitted by the NRC on behalf of the 

Applicant or Licensee, and an NRC processing fee, which covers 

administrative costs associated with NRC handling of Applicant or 

Licensee fingerprint submissions. The Commission will directly notify 

applicants or licensees who are subject to this regulation of any fee 

changes.

    The Commission will forward to the submitting Applicant or Licensee 

all data received from the FBI as a result of the Applicant's or 

Licensee's application(s) for criminal history checks, including the 

FBI fingerprint record.



Right To Correct and Complete Information



    Prior to any final adverse determination, the Applicant or Licensee 

shall make available to the individual the contents of any criminal 

records obtained from the FBI for the purpose of assuring correct and 

complete information. Written confirmation by the individual of receipt 

of this notification must be maintained by the Applicant or Licensee 

for a period of one (1) year from the date of the notification.

    If, after reviewing the record, an individual believes that it is 

incorrect or incomplete in any respect and wishes to change, correct, 

or update the alleged deficiency, or to explain any matter in the 

record, the individual may initiate challenge procedures. These 

procedures include either direct application by the individual 

challenging the record to the agency (i.e., law enforcement agency) 

that contributed the questioned information, or direct challenge as to 

the accuracy or completeness of any entry on the criminal history 

record to the Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Identification Division, Washington, DC 20537-9700 (as set forth in 28 

CFR 16.30 through 16.34). In the latter case, the FBI forwards the 

challenge to the agency that submitted the data and requests that 

agency to verify or correct the challenged entry. Upon receipt of an 

official communication directly from the agency that contributed the 

original information, the FBI Identification Division makes any changes 

necessary in accordance with the information supplied by that agency. 

The Applicant or Licensee must provide at least ten (10) days for an 

individual to initiate an action challenging the results of an FBI 

criminal history records check after the record is made available for 

his/her review. The Applicant or Licensee may make a final SGI access 

determination based upon the criminal history record only upon receipt 

of the FBI's ultimate confirmation or correction of the record. Upon a 

final adverse determination on access to SGI, the Applicant or Licensee 

shall provide the individual its documented basis for denial. Access to 

SGI shall not be granted to an individual during the review process.



Protection of Information



    1. Each Applicant or Licensee who obtains a criminal history record 

on an individual pursuant to this Order shall establish and maintain a 

system of files and procedures for protecting the record and the 

personal information from unauthorized disclosure.

    2. The Applicant or Licensee may not disclose the record or 

personal information collected and maintained to persons other than the 

subject individual, his/her representative, or to those who have a need 

to access the information in performing assigned duties in the process 

of determining access to Safeguards Information. No individual 

authorized to have access to the information may re-disseminate the 

information to any other individual who does not have a need-to-know.

    3. The personal information obtained on an individual from a 

criminal history record check may be transferred to another Applicant 

or Licensee if the Applicant or Licensee holding the criminal history 

check record receives the individuals' written request to re-

disseminate the information contained in his/her file, and the gaining 

Applicant or Licensee verifies information such as the individual's 

name, date of birth, social security number, sex, and other applicable 

physical characteristics for identification purposes.

    4. The Applicant or Licensee shall make criminal history records, 

obtained under this section, available for examination by an authorized 

representative of the NRC to determine compliance with the regulations 

and laws.

    5. The Applicant or Licensee shall retain all fingerprint and 

criminal history records received from the FBI, or a copy if the 

individual's file has been transferred, for three (3) years after 

termination of employment or denial of access to SGI. After the 

required three (3) year period, these documents shall be destroyed by a 

method that will prevent reconstruction of the information in whole or 

in part.



 [FR Doc. E6-17726 Filed 10-20-06; 8:45 am]



BILLING CODE 7590-01-P