ML19274D630

Summary of Meeting W/Bokum Resources on 790117 in Santa Fe, Nm,To Discuss Bokum U Mining Project.Surface Water Diversion Sys,Groundwater & Land Ownership Were Discussed

ML19274D630
Person / Time
Issue date:	01/30/1979
From:	Manger A NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
References
REF-PROJ-M-12 NUDOCS 7902210080
Download: ML19274D630 (3)

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UNITED STATES 3"

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 s

N 3 01979 MEMORANDUM FOR:

Ross A. Scarano, Section Leader Uranium Mill Licensing Section Steve Manger FROM:

Uranium Mill Licensing Section.

SUMMARY

OF B0KUM RESOURCES MEETING Purpose To meet at the request of Bokum stat'f to discuss their project.

Place and Date Environmental Improvement Division conference room in Santa Fe, New Mexico, January 17, 1979.

Attendees Bokum Resources - R. D. Bokum, W. P. Biava, L. Storm Stearns Roger Corp. - J. L. York, J. Stryker, R. Olson, E.~'J. Schneider, G. M. Knight Woodward Clyde - F. J. Holliday Science Applications, Inc. - S. Faith, K. Kennedy Colorado State University - S. A. Schumm Mine Tailings International - B. Hoare Geocon - M. A. J. Matich Fenco - H. Kivirild NMEID - C. Clayton, J. Pierce, A. Topp, J. L. Mackin, G. W. Stewart, B. S. Garber, D. Barber, B. Duff, M. Goad, J. Dudley, B. Gallaher and J. Lazarus 79022100to 2 _ _..

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s R. A. Scarano NRC - S. Manger CSU - J. Nelson and T. Shepard Discussion The meeting was called, with minimal explanatior. of purpose, by Bokum Resources Corporation. At the outset, after a discussion of the history of the project, it was revealed that Bokum intended to respond to all EID concerns and reach an agreement on a proposed plan of action to develop a licensable site. EID responded that it would have to receive a proposal and have time to review it before approval could be granted.

The discussion then turned to a report entitled, "A Qualitative Assessment of the Hydraulic and Geomorphic Stability of a Proposed Surface Water Diversion System, Marquez Canon, New Mexico" by Pater F. Lagasse, Ph.D., an EID consultant. A point by pnint aiscussion of Dr. Lagasse's conclusions met with varying degrees of agreement and/or disagreement, however item 7, concerning the rip rapping of the proposed diversion channel, prompted the suggestion from Dr. Schumm, a Bokum consultant, that the diversion channel be left unprotected for.he 30 year life of the project (the application is for a 20 year ope' ating life), and be allowed to seek its own direction and grade, thus reaching a stable situation prior to armoring with rip rap. This suggestion then became the Bokum proposal, and comments were solicited. Once again it was suggested that this proposal be submitted in writing for detailed review.

Representatives of SAI gave a presentation on their preliminary findings with respect to the groundwater at the site.

It is being proposed that the water, which is flowing at a rate of 100 gpm, be intercepted in the tailings impoundment and evaporated, until the time that the second dam lift is made. At this time, a cutoff will be made, and the groundwater will be allowed to seek an alternate flog path This proposal will be submitted by Bokum in their t

revised tailings management plan.

The last major topic of discussion was the land ownership question which has come into prominance since the passage of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978.

In response to an inquiry concerning NRC's position on this matter, I stated NRC's position as being that land ownership questions should be resolved prior

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~to issuing a license, and that the three year period provided for in the act is only to be utilized in the case of existing mills. The Bokum representative expressed disagreement with this position, and the State of New Mexico was in less than full agreement with the stated NRC position.

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3-R. A. Scarano As a result of this meeting, it is anticipated that a final proposal will be submitted to NMEID within three weeks, and that extensive discussion remains on the ground and surface water diversion proposals, as well as the land ownership question.

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~' Sb'7w Steve Manger Uranium Mill Licensing Section Fuel Processing & Fabrication Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety M /16h We4%

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