I should like to confirm our telephone conversation of January 4, 1979, about my understanding of your role as a non-participating observer to the Scientific Review Group established in the attached "NRC/EPA Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Epidemiological Research on the Health Effects of Low-Level Ionizing Radiation". It is my understanding that you will act as both a consultant, from the standpoint of making suggestions on the FPS, and a coordinator within HEW, in terms of interfacing the FPS direction and scope with any radiation epidemiology effort to be performed or being performed under the aegis of HEW resulting from the HEW Interagency Task Force effort. As we also discussed, I have enclosed a copy of the Objectives and Work Scope for a Request for Proposal, RFP, which is being finalized at this time. Please distribute copies within your agency as appropriate. We also intend to pursue an Interagency Agreement as an alternative to a private contract. Because of legal restrictions on the dissemination of this material prior to the issuing of an RFP, please advise those persons receiving copies that they should not reveal the content of the Objectives and Work Scope to others who may be interested in responding to the RFP. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me at 443-5966. Sincerely, Muchal & Rice f Michael A. Parsont, Chief Radiological Health Standards Branch Enclosures: As stated [Editorial note. The attachments were: (pp. 3793-3794) [7590-01-M] HEALTH EFFECTS RESEARCH NOTICES Memorandum of Understanding Pursuant to Pub. L. 95-601, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Proection Agency have executed a Memorandum of Understanding delineating respective agency responsibilities in the conduct of epidemiological planning studies to investigate the health risks associated with low-level ionizing radiation. The text of the memorandum is set forth below. Dated at Washington, D.C., this 12th day of January 1979. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. SAMUEL J. CHILK, Secretary of the Commission. NRC/EPA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING EPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON THE HEALth Effects oF LOW-LEVEL IONIZING RADIATION The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have complementary responsibilities in areas of environmental protection and the control of radiation health hazards. Pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, all functions of the former Federal Radiation Council and the authority of the former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) for setting "generally applicable environmental radiation standards" were transferred to EPA. In addition, under other environmental statutes EPA has authority to establish various specific environmental standards for radiation protection of the public. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to continue the regulatory activities of the former AEC for ensuring, among other things, the protection of public health and safety from commercial uses of source, byproduct, and special nuclear materials. The NRC also has responsibility for implementing Federal guidance prepared by EPA and approved by the President which pertains to NRC-licensed activities and responsibility for enforcing "generally applicable environmental radiation standards" issued by EPA. The Congress of the United States has authorized and directed NRC and EPA to: (1) conduct preliminary planning and design studies for epidemiological research on the health effects of low-level ionizing radiation; (2) submit to Congress by April 1, 1979 an assessment of their capabilities and needs in the area of health effects of ionizing radiation research; and (3) submit a report to Congress by September 30, 1979, which includes a study of options for Federal epidemiological research on the health effects of low-level ionizing radiation, with evaluations of the feasibility of such options. In order to clarify their respective roles with regard to the conduct of the planning studies, the EPA and NRC agree as follows: 1. In complying with the specific requirement of Subsection 5C of the 1979 NRC Authorization bill (item (2) in the preceding paragraph), NRC and EPA will separately prepare assessments of capabilities and research needs in the area of health effects of low-level ionizing radiation for their respective agencies, and will jointly prepare the report to Congress of the results of those assessments. 2. Preparation of the technical scopes of work for the preliminary planning and design studies, selection of the type of organizations most appropriate to conduct such studies and monitoring of the technical progress and the effort, will be accomplished under the direction of a fivemember scientific review group. It will consist of members of the professional staffs of NRC, EPA, and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), two members designated by NRC and two by EPA with each other's agreement, and one member designated by HEW, with NRC's and EPA's agreement. EPA will select, with NRC's agreement, the chairperson of this review group. NRC will select, with EPA's agreement, a program manager (not member of the review group), to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the feasibility and planning studies and for the submission of technical reports to the review group. 3. Any questions that cannot be resolved by the scientific review group will be resolved by conference between the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air, Noise, and Radiation Programs and the Director of NRC's Office of Standards Development. 4. As appropriate during the conduct of the studies, NRC and EPA shall consult with appropriate scientific organizations and Federal and State agencies. 5. NRC and EPA professional staffs will be utilized for preparation of work scopes, technical and administrative management of studies, and preparation of necessary reports to the Congress. The NRC will make available up to $500,000 for outside assistance for the studies. If a private contractor is to be selected, the Division of Contracts of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will provide administrative support for issuing requests for proposals, receiving proposals, making contract awards, and administering the funds authorized for this purpose. 6. After review of the report by the scientific review group, the report will be sent to the Commission and Administrator of EPA for final approval prior to transmittal to the Congress. LEE V. GOSSICK, Executive Director for Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. DAVID G. HAWKINS, Assistant Administrator for Air, Noise and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. STEPHEN J. GAGE, Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [FR Doc. 79-1791 Filed 1-17-79; 8:45 am] Department of Energy February 27, 1979 Dear Mr. Secretary: Recently, serious concerns have been raised concerning potential adverse impacts on the health of the people in the State of Utah from atmospheric weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site. These concerns resulted in the President's request that you conduct a study of the health of Utah residents in relation to possible radiation exposures from nuclear tests. In a letter dated January 2, 1979, the Governor of the State of Utah, the Honorable Scott M. Matheson, requested the assistance of the Department of Energy (DOE) in the current re-evaluation of the public health impact of weapons testing. In our reply to Governor Matheson we offered the Department's full support in making available our expertise and resources to assist in the study requested by the President. The purpose of this letter is to affirm DOE's intent to fully cooperate and assist in the conduct of that study, and to inform you that steps are being taken to establish an effective and timely DOE effort in support of the HEW study. Additionally, staff of the DOE have bcen in communication with the HEW Project Officer at the Center for Disease Control, and they met on February 22, 1979, to identify the nature of the information needed for this study. The DOE is currently assembling information that may be relevant to the re-evaluation study in order to be prepared to assist in this project to the fullest extent possible. The Department of Energy recognizes its responsibility in this matter and is fully committed to cooperate and assist HEW in this important effort. This letter is an initial response to your request that the Department of Defense assume responsibility for identification and release of pertinent information in the files of DoD and constituent organizations concerning fallout, long- and short-term health effects, and precautions taken during nuclear weapons testing in Nevada since 1951. You also requested that pertinent restricted documents be identified so that you can initiate measures to secure the necessary authorization for release. Although the Atomic Energy Commission--now the Department of Energy--exercised primary operational control over test activities at the Nevada Test Site, DoD personnel and units participated in the tests and provided support to the AEC for the conduct of test operations. I have assigned your request to the Defense Nuclear Agency, and have instructed the Director of that agency that it is to be treated expeditiously. DNA will be contacting you shortly concerning the documents available in DoD files, and the most efficient way of providing you those pertinent to your needs. I understand you have requested similar assistance from DoE, and I have asked DNA to coordinate DoD efforts with those of DoE. DNA will also keep close contact with appropriate offices in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to ensure coordination with their radiation inquiries. An indication of the time required to comply with your request cannot be provided until we can more precisely define your needs, but I assure you that the information in DoD files which is not restricted by classification limitations will be made available through DNA as soon as possible. HEW NEWS DEPARTMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE FOR RELEASE 11:15 A.M., FEBRUARY 27, 1979 CONTACT: JOHN BLAMPHIN. (202) 245-6343 STATEMENT OF JOSEPH A. CALIFANO, JR. SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE IN MAY, 1978, THE PRESIDENT DIRECTED THAT THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE "COORDINATE THE FORMULATION OF A PROGRAM" COVERING (1) RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE, (2) PUBLIC INFORMATION ON RADIATION, (3) CARE AND BENEFITS FOR PERSONS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY RADIATION EXPOSURE, AND (4) STEPS TO REDUCE ADVERSE RADIATION EXPOSURE. TO HELP CARRY OUT THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE, WE ESTABLISHED AN INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON IONIZING RADIATION COMPOSED OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF DEFENSE, ENERGY, AND LABOR, THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE AS CHAIR. IN OCTOBER, 1978, THE CONGRESS DIRECTED, IN PUBLIC LAW 95-622, THAT THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE |