Cooperation on Radioactive Materials Transportation Security: Beyond the signed agreement

The physical protection of radioactive materials in the U.S. has expanded due to the potential for malevolent use, and thus more focused attention on security and control of these materials following the events of September 11, 2001 and continuing threats of malicious use. The Category 1 and 2 quantities of radioactive sources listed in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources are considered the most risk significant for the Unit-ed States and have been the focus of Federal and State efforts to place tighter controls for security - especially during times of elevated risk of loss, theft, and diversion, such as during transport. Transportation security of these risk-significant materials is especially complex due to the number of U.S. Government agencies that have various roles and authority for implementation and enforcement of applicable regulations. This paper will focus on two major topics: 1) the significant progress that has been made with regard to interagency coordination and communication on the secure transportation of radioactive materials within the U.S. or across U.S. borders with the promulgation of 10 CFR Part 37 in 2013; and, 2) the ongoing activities to improve and streamline cooperation with the implementation of the commitments made in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) titled,"Memorandum of Understanding Among the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Concerning Cooperation on Radioactive Materials Transportation Security."