ML19254F929
| ML19254F929 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/24/1979 |
| From: | Kendig J, Kerr G NRC OFFICE OF STATE PROGRAMS (OSP) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| FOIA-80-529, REF-PROJ-M-28 PNA-79-158, NUDOCS 7911190467 | |
| Download: ML19254F929 (1) | |
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Ju ly 24, k NOTICE OF NON-ROUTINE EVENT INVOLVING AGREEMENT STATE OR AGREEMENT MATERIALS 188 This NOTICE constitutes an early report of event occurring in ah Agreement State of oossible safety or oublic interest sionificance.
The infornation presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by State Agreement Program staff as of this date.
AGREEMENT STATE: New Mexico FACILITY:
United Nuclear, Franium Mill, Church Rock, New Mexico
SUBJECT:
Failure of Tailf r g Impoundment NRC staff. New Mexico officials, anci Anny Corps of. Engineers staff met with United Nuclear Corp. officials and tneir consultants in Santa Fe on July 20, 1979 to i
discuss the impoundment failure. NRC does not feel the licensee has addressed all possible failure modes. The two reports submitted at the July %0th meeting are to be evaluated by the NRC, New Mexico and Corps of Engineers.
Uppn completion of the review, adu,1onal infonnation for investigating other modes of failure will be required of the licensee.
The State is conducting an extensive sampling program along the route of the 11 guff flev.
The State of Arizona is also sampling along the Rio puen:o River where the(
tailtngs liquids ficwed.
t The State of New Mexico's Environmental Improvement Division (EID) issued an order July 18 recu1 ring the licensee to take steps to minimize dispers)cond order on on July 16 requiring temination of operations.
EID issued a s ion of ma'.erials and the State engineer issued an order on July 18 requiring an, investigation of the cause of the failure prior to repair of the dam and resumption of tailing discharge to the impouridment.
I NRC expects to formalize reconnendations to the State in tne next few days.
IE collected some independent samples along the flow path. Results are expecte F shortly.
IE has arranged for an ARMS survey which is tentatively scheduled for the 3rd week in September to assist in evaluating cleanup of the areas where tailings may have been deposited down stream.
Contact:
G. W. Ksrr, J. F. Xendig, 492-7767 1 W 015 Distribution:
Chainnan Hendrie
. J. Chilk, SECY Camissioner Gilinsky C. C. Xamerer, CA, for distribution Ccanissioner Kennedy L. Bickwit GC Connissioner Bradford L. V. Gossick, EDO
. Stello, IE:Hg.
J. Fcuchard, PA H. Denton, NRR
/J. Sniezek, IE:Hg.
/W. J. Dircks NMSS H. X. Shapar. ELD
/ X. Seyfrit, IE:IV R. Minogue, SD 7 911190 fb
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