Transmittal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land Management and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20240
March 12, 2010

In Reply Refer To:
3800 (320) P          

EMS TRANSMISSION 03/23/2010
Information Bulletin No. 2010-051

To: All Field Officials

From: Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty Management

Subject: Transmittal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land Management and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

This bulletin transmits the final, signed national-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).  The MOU became effective upon its signing. 

The MOU is intended to improve interagency communication, facilitate the sharing of special expertise and information, and coordinate the preparation of studies, reports, and documents associated with NRC licensing actions and the BLM regulation of public lands, including Federal mineral estates.  The primary purpose of the MOU is to facilitate the review and approval of uranium recovery activities authorized under the Mining Law that also require NRC licensing.  Further, the MOU provides mechanisms to improve the administration of the agencies’ National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes for these activities.

Review the MOU closely.  Note that it is applicable to in-situ recovery operations in states that do not have an agreement with NRC.  Please also note that the MOU provides for exchange of information, encourages opportunities for cooperation on preparation of NEPA documents, and provides for designation of local contacts for projects.

Please transmit this MOU to the field offices, reminding them that the BLM actively seeks opportunities to work with the NRC in a collaborative fashion.    

Signed by:                            Authenticated by:
Michael Nedd                        Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director                  Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Minerals and Realty Management

1- Attachment
   1 - Final BLM-NRC Memorandum of Understanding (11 pp)