ML19209B069

Testimony of Pr Weber on Behalf of Intervenor Skagitonians Concerned About Nuclear Power,Re Ranney Wells.Prof Qualifications & Bibliography Encl

ML19209B069
Person / Time
Site:	Skagit
Issue date:	07/10/1979
From:	Weber P AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
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ML19209B067	List: ML19209B066 ML19209B068 ML19209B069 ML19209B072
References
NUDOCS 7910090101
Download: ML19209B069 (8)

Text

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Environmental Concerns Re: Ranney Collectors .N .g3 ? -

at the Proposed Skagit tiuclear Power Plant Site g *. -y,pel ,,

p - Q grot-gE~ f03 N'l We have had the opportunity to examine a number of documents c'e w to the environmental impact of the proposed Ranney Collectors on the sur-rounding environment and the converse envircnmental constraints on the collector wells.

Several items have not been considered, or have received inadequate consideration in the documents we have seen. These include concerns about effects of operating these collectors and effects related to river cnannel stability.

COLLECTOR OPERATI0t1 The following items concern operation:

1) Yield Calculations.

2) Water quality, particularly in reference to iron content.

3) Effect of possible chlorine flushing.

4) Effect on local wells. -

5) Effect.on tributary streams.

We do not propose to repeat the previous testimony except where neces-sary to explain our concerns. The items herein are additional concerns not covered in the material to date.

1) Yield calculations Mikels has answered concerns of the adequacy of the yield calculation with a question as to whether the flow will be laminar or turbulent. This is not the entire problem. An additional instance where Carcy's law might not be applicable is in the analysis of coarse sands and gravels wnich eg910090h 1115 086

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might not be able to sustain the groundwater gradient proposed. In this case, the low yield pumping tests are not sufficient to determine the avail-able yield at very high rates. The yield, as can be observed from the calculations presented would decrease proportional to the falling gradient.

The effect of an inability to sustain the proposed gradient would be to cause increased draw of stored groundwater, as well as reducing the total yield.

2) Water quality, especially iron content ,

Although the precise proportion of infiltrated river water to stored groundwater cannot be determined, the theoretical consideration presented indicates that it will be high. Nonetheless, additional iron and other minerals over the river water content, can be expected to dissolve as the water filters through the ground. Additional comments presented by Jeffrey Haley indicate that iron bacteria can forn in water with iron con-tents in the range known here.

Mikels noted in his affidavit (p.2) that the 48-hour pumping tests (E, F & G) were used only to " establish the initial chemical characteristics of the relatively stagnant groundwater." Yet the water level in these wells

" responded rapidly and consistently to changes in river stage." These wells were pumped at rates from 913 to 1013 gal / min.

The fluctuating levels indi-cate influx of river water.

He also concludes that for a 6-month test on the 16-inch well "the water pumped during the test was primarily intercepted groundwater flow. . . ."

(p.14). This test was pumped at 1,325 gal / min.

Pumping rates on the 6-month tests are similar to the 48-hour tests and induced filtration can be initiated at these rates. Altnough the groundwater level at the start of the test was .6' above river level (31.4' MSt. vs.

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80.8 tiSL), indicating a gradient toward the river, recharge from both the groundwater and river could be expected.

Iron contents on the 16" well varied from .003 ppm to .57 ppm. Al-though the exhibit notes two high values " appear to be anamalous" they should not be discounted as they are in exhibit E. Lab determinations may not always be reliable but the tendency to discount all high values is det-rimental. We might note that two silica values were discounted elsewhere because they appear high. Other applicable iron values are trace amounts discovered in the drilling program and a comment that a well 200' from the collector site contained objectionably high iron (p.10,325 review board).

Behavior of the 48-hour and 6-month pumping tests indicate that infil-trated river water was pmuped. In addition, although both river and ground-water showed generally low iron contents, they are currently sufficient to sustain iron bacteria. The well 200' off-site indicates that there is sol-uble iron in the vicinity which will likely be mobilized by the pumping operation and further increase the iron content.

3) Effect of possible chlorine flushing Both the staff report and Mikels recognize the possibility of iron formation and note that there will be no effect on the environment if chlor-ine flushing is required. We strongly disagree. There is no possibility that the chlorine can be restricted to the laterals. When the pump is not operated the water table will begin to readjust toward natural conditions.

This constitutes a flow of water from the river and the vicinity of the laterals away from the river. Scme of that water will be contaminated with chlorine. The chlorine treatment requires 16 to 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> of standing time after which some of the diffused cnlorine can be recovered and pumped to waste.

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Some of the chlorine will migrate away from the site and could con-taminate the tributary creeks to the north and wells in the vicinity.

4) Effects on local wells The Environmental Report shows that a large number of the water wells within a three mile radius of the proposed plar were located and data tabu-lated. However, the proposed collector well site is outside that radius and the wells have not been investigated. There are undoubtedly wells in this area and the drastic drawdown contemplated for the collector walls will affect them. Also possible contamination should be considered.

5) Effect on tributaty streams.

- Muddy Creek has only been shown to be percned in the secticn (approxi-mately 1/4 mile) frcm Lyman-Hamilton road to its confluence with the Skagit River during low flow conditions (Nov. 2,1978). In terms of salmon-spawning this reach is critical as a dry creek mouth would preclude spawning.

RIVER STABILIZATION Concerns related to river channel stability are poorly defined as the proposed riprapping construction and possible repair have been eliminated.

We are not aware what stabilization measures have been substituted.

Adequate protection for collector - laterals, caissons and lines should be developed. From the analysis by Whitney M. Borland (Appendix L -

River Stabilization Study) it is evident that the current reprapping is in-sufficient in a 30,000 cfs flood. The 100-year flood is 225,000 cfs. Dur-ing the January 1974 flood the central portion of the existing 4,600 lineal feet of riprap failed. Additional weak points are upriver from the Red Cabin Creek (east fork) enters the Skagit at mile 39.5 and at the lower end of the riprap where a slough enters the river channel.

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From 1918 to 1958 the channel migrated 1,000' northward. After stabilization work the river has been contained frcm 1958 to the present.

In the intervening twenty years the river has directed its current move severely against the bank and the possiblity of resumed migration has in-creased.

Two undiscussed possibilities are:

1) Outflanking of the existing bank and stabilization structures by single flood event entrenching the channel at the prcposed collector site, and 2) A cut-off developing across the meander from mile 38.5 to some point dcwnriver.

' 00CUMEtiTS EXAMIt4ED 1)

, ER (Environmental Report),2.5 Sec

2) Hydrology i

3).

ER, Appendix G, Hydrogeologic Study i ER,a)Appendix Jan. 25, 1974 L. River Stabilization St

] b) c)

Feb. 15, 1974 report by Whitney Mudy consisting of Feb. 27, 1974 letter frcm Bechtel t. Borlund

g 4) report by W.M. Borlundo Borlund Figures 3,4-3, 5 & 6 g

5) Cec. 23 Make-up, a)

Water, with attached ng 1977 Applicant's Mem Quality of b)

T 5) Affidavit of Keith E. AndersonAf

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Marmer, Hydrologic Engineering er, R.A.

ssues. Zussman, and G.J. I11RC Sta 7) j Feb. 22, 1978, Testimony of F C

8) May 22, 1978 . . Mikels subject: letter from Puget S

9) Wild and Scenic Rivers Cecisionound Power and Light i

Supplemental Testimony of David L

10) . Schreiber Rivers DeterminationJune,1978 , subject. letter from flRC to PSP

11) Wild and Scenic June 13, 1978Intervenor's Interrogatories and R equest for Production,

12) June 12, 1978 information letter in response to ffR C request for additional

13) June 16, 1978 PSPL's res Request a) May for Production, 17, 1978 ponse to SCAttP Interrogatories includes and report by F.C b)

Supply System, andand Proposed Design Modification eup Water June 14,

14) June 22,1978 1973 letter by F.C. Mikels to Bechtel Problems in Ranney Collectors foreport by Jeffrey Hale

15) r Skagit fluclear Power Planty, Po Record of Board Meeting including most of p.

10,762 to 10,967

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PAU'. WEBER & ASSOCIATES f GROUND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE PAUL R. WEBER -

36 years of age Eleven year Seattle resident BSCE, Arizona State University, 1964 Recently completed four full-time quarters as 9.rnduate crudent tn Ceology and Ceetechnical in;ineering. *'niver s it.y >

. Wa s ing to n Registered Engineer, Washine. ton, Oregon and Ccorgia EMPLOWENT EX?ER!.'NCE Southwest Materials Laboratory, Phoenix, June '64 to Jan. '66 -

Dames S Moore, Seattle, Jan. '66 to Nov. '71 Owner of Private Practice, Seattle, Nov. '71 to Present GROUND ENGINEERING Paul Weber & Associates provides Ground Engineering services to Designers and Contractors in the following arens:

Soils , nacerials, and subsurface inves t.4 cations

- Engineering Ceol -

/ Environmental Ceology Investigations for clains, failures and lee,al disputes arising from ground construction and encineering Design and cos: estimating for fcundations, retainir; structures and excavation bracing sys:cm3 ,

- Design, installa: ion and evaluatica of Cectechnical Ins:rument-ation

- Applied research in ground engineering i 115 0'12 O I [

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ENVIRONMENTAL CE0 LOGY 1969 WEYER!!AUSER READOUARTERS BUILDING - Lake and drainage studies for a man-made lake at the Federal Way of fice conplex.

1969 CITY OF MARYSVILLE WATER SUPPLY - Investigations for expanding and 1:nuroving the Marysville Storage Pond and water supply system.

1974 CHERYL LEE HEICHTS - Subsurface drainage design, 30 acre Maple Valley Subdivision.

1974 TERMINATION POINT LANDSLIDE - 200 foot high by 1200 foot long landslide on IIood Canal, Jefferson County, Washington.

1974 "IG SEAVER LAKE ACCR". CAT" SOURCE - Envirormental geology and aggregate qualit, studies for Kitsap County project.

1975 COLDEN CARDENS LANDSLIDE - 300 foot high by 1500 foo . long landiside in Sea;:le. Stabilization measures following Jailure by City of 3eattic forces.

1975 WOODWAY PARK LANDSLIDE - 300 f oot high by 1300 foot long landslide near ~.dmonds, Washington. Drainage stabilization of landslide for 3u.-lington Northern and local residents.

1976 SAN DIECO RARBOR DREDGINC - Geologic studies of changed conditions in Corps of Engineers contract for dredging San Diego Marbor - for General Construe:1on.

1977 CARKEEK ESTATES - Environmental geology studies for 6.7 acre condem_nium development in Carkeek Park drainage basin, Seattle.

1977 OUEEN ANNE DEVELOPMENT - Environmental geology, foundation and ground engineering studies for 300-acre comprehensive development plan.

1977 SO'?THPARK APA'O'ENT PROJCCT - Environnenta? quo'.ogy and storm drainm': de:.w tu . .nc County standar<.,, s '.x-a c re site, Sou:hpark, Sent: e.

1977 RED DOT MEATER CORP 0'.\ TION "nvironmental Aeolorf and storm drainage dea _zn er _9 acre Creen River 'lalley site, i.e n t .

Washington 1977 yAMTHON CORPOEA,T,IO)], - Enviro = ental geolocy for maj or downtown of.:.ue cc~ .ey. w_r 'ao cwers, one 1.'.-story and the second 20-story, Jellevue, '.'achington.

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