April 16, 1999

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington DC 20555-0001

RE: Comment Extension Request for Proposed Rule 10 CFR Part 63.

Dear Dr. Jackson:

     Eureka County, Nevada, is one of the ten affected units of local government under Section 116 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act as amended. On behalf of Eureka County, I participated in NRC's public meeting in Beatty on March 25 concerning the proposed Rule for 10 CFR Part 63.

     At that meeting, I requested additional time on behalf of Eureka County and its residents to comment on the proposed regulations. The purpose of this letter is to make a formal written request. We are asking for a minimum 90 day extension beyond the current deadline of May 10. Ideally, the NRC will keep the comment period open until the comment period closes on the long- awaited EPA standard.

     It was evident from the meeting in Beatty that the public has many questions about this complex rule. In order for a thorough understanding and analysis of the rule to be made, additional time is needed. This would enable members of the public, as well as local governments, to participate in the process and comment on the rule. In addition, because the rule will likely need to be changed again once the EPA proposes its standards, we feel that an extension of time to allow a thorough review of the NRC rule is also appropriate.

     Thank you for considering our request. At the Beatty meeting your staff said they would take back to the NRC the comments from Nevada including the requests for more time. We look forward to your timely response to this request, well before the May 10 deadline.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Abigail C. Johnson

Abigail C. Johnson
Nuclear Waste Advisor

cc:
Leonard Fiorenzi, Eureka County
AULGs
Joe Strolin, NWPO