RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PHYSICAL PROTECTION LEVELS FOR THE PROSPECTIVE NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY AT THE NEVADA TEST SITE

We developed a preliminary physical protection system (PPS) for the prospective Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations Project (NNWSI) geologic repository. We consulted Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Department of Energy (DOE) regulations and practices for nuclear facilities that are similar in size and mission and found no specific guidance for a geologic repository. It is not surprising that the guidelines do not address repositories because there are currently no such facilities, and specific regulations have not yet been promulgated. An implied NRC acceptance of DOE safeguards for the repository (10CFR60.21) led us to a design that followed DOE Order 5632.2. Due to the characteristics of the repository nuclear material, we recommend protecting this material at a level comparable to a Category IIIA quantity of Special Nuclear Material (SNM). This level of protection is adequate for protecting the "dispersed nuclear material" likely to be contained in the prospective