ML19250B030
| ML19250B030 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/23/1979 |
| From: | Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Whicker F COLORADO STATE UNIV., FORT COLLINS, CO |
| References | |
| REF-PROJ-M-25 NUDOCS 7910250472 | |
| Download: ML19250B030 (1) | |
Text
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SEP 2 31979 Dr. F. Ward Whicker Department of Radiology and Radiation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
Dear Dr. Whicker:
I am writing in response to your September 10, 1979, letter in which you mentioned a study concerning the transport of radionuclides in terrestrial ecosytems which CSU has recently undertaken. Your letter indicates the possibility of investigating plant uptake of radio-nuclides of the natural uranium chain as a function of the depth of overburden used to cover mill tailings.
As your letter mentioned. NRC has recently proposed regulations (44 FR 50015) that require that at least three meters of earth cover be placed over tailings materials.
It should be clearly understood that this is a minimum thickness requirement which the staff felt would provide reasonable protection from root penetration. However, Section 12.3.3.7 of the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Uranium Milling (GEIS) addresses the uncertainty surrounding the question of deep root penetration. Although we have proposed a.10 f t.
minimum thickness requirement, we feel studies of the sort referred to in your letter would be very useful.
I am very interested in and would appreciate learning the results of your studies as soon as they are available.
Sincerely,
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' Ross A. Scarano, Chief Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch Division of Waste Management 883 110 go 7-c 3
7910250