PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Department of Health (DOH) is considering revising WAC 246-247-110, 246-247-120, and 246-247-130; Radiation protection--Air emissions, which addresses sampling and monitoring releases of airborne radioactive substances from the stacks and ducts of nuclear facilities.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.98.050 State radiation control agency.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Currently, DOH rules are inconsistent with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules adopted October 2002. The department plans to amend existing rule references to the most current American National Standard Institute/Health Physics Society national standard for sampling and monitoring releases of airborne radioactive substances from the stacks and ducts of nuclear facilities (ANSI/HPS N13.1-1999). Also included for rule making consideration are updates for consistency with EPA practices regarding quality assurance program plans and quality assurance project plans.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The EPA sets the federal standards and the state of Washington submits proposed rules to EPA for review and comment prior to final adoption of the rule.
Process for Developing New Rule: The regulated community and other stakeholders will be notified of proposed rule making and provided opportunities for input coinciding with the CR-102 Proposed rule making process; and the open public hearing on the proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. For questions regarding process, draft rules, and comments, contact Craig Lawrence at the Department of Health, Division of Radiation Protection, P.O. Box 47827, Olympia, WA 98504-7827, phone (360) 236-3267, fax (360) 236-2256.
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary