Abstract: The spent nuclear fuel rods stored in a wet pit are extracted dry and transported dry to a transport container for dry transportation to a storage area or treatment center. The spent nuclear fuel rods are withdrawn from the wet pit, held within a cask that may be selectively closed at the bottom and transferred while the rod is dry after it is removed from the wet pit and then positioned over a dry container with an open top for a dry transfer of each of the rods to the container. Between the container and the cask is a closure that includes a shield plug and a shielding base that supports the shield plug and allows the shield plug to be moved on guide rails to the position above the open top of the container where the shield plug may then be raised allowing the shielding base to be moved out of position on the rails and the shield plug lowered to close off the container.