Decommissioning activities can cover area(s), room(s), building(s), and entire facilities.  Most decommissioning activities are NOT related to license termination, but rather to discrete areas within the licensee's building/campus.  Whereas the scope of the decommissioning activities may change, the basis tenants will not. 

Pursuant to 15A NCAC 11 .0339(g) the licensee MUST submit a decommissioning plan to the agency for approval IF the plan meets one or more of the criteria in subparagraphs (1) - (4).   For instance, if the decommissioning of a small room or area within a room will be done in accordance with previously approved criteria, then a plan DOES NOT have to be submitted for prior approval.  The agency does not wish to review EVERY decommissioning of EVERY area at the licensee's facility.  Rather, if reasonable criteria are used, the room or area can be decommissioned effectively.  NOTE:   If the area is to be released from further use as a radioactive materials use area, a license amendment will have to be filed with the agency.  At that time, the licensee should submit the methodology and results from the various decommissioning surveys performed.  DO NOT RELEASE THE ROOM OR AREA UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE COMPLETED AMENDMENT FROM THE AGENCY.  Receipt of the amendment indicated agency concurrence with the methodology and results of the decommissioning surveys.

If, however, the activities of decommissioning meet one of the criteria in subparagraphs (1) - (4) of .0339, then DO NOT begin decommissioning activities until you receive agency approval.  If there are questions or additional requirements placed on the plan, these must be implemented prior to the time of decommissioning.  This submittal is required for ANY decommissioning activities.  After agency approval of decommissioning plan, the licensee may proceed with decommissioning.  Once all surveys and calculations have been completed, the licensee submits a decommissioning report the the agency for review and approval.  Agency approvals are issued in one of the following categories:

NOTE:  The agency regulation .1653 addresses radiological criteria for license termination.  The methodology and limits prescribed in this regulation MUST be adhered to as well as those in .0339.

Click here for regulations on decommissioning