ML19290E096
| ML19290E096 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/17/1980 |
| From: | Trager E NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-WM-28 NUDOCS 8003040246 | |
| Download: ML19290E096 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WN W I'I' 2 E l'i
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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JAfi 171980 MEMORANDUM FOR:
R. A. Scarano, Chief Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch THRU:
H. J. Miller, Section Leader Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch FROM:
E. A. Tragri Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch
SUBJECT:
MEETING MINUTES - SECOND HAVAJ0/USEPA fiEETING PURPOSE:
The meeting was attended at the request of the Navajo Nation in order to brief meeting participants on the status of NRC involvement in the regulation of uranium recovery activities on Indian lands.
PLACE AND DATE:
Federal / Education Building,123 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM; December 13, 1979 ATTENDEES:
The Navajo Nation Raymond L. Lancer, Chairman Resouces Div./ Radiation Conm.
Harold W. Tso Environmental Commission Larry Ruzon General Counsel's Office Toney R. Begay Environmental Commission Larry Kee Yazzie Prosecution Dept.
Glen C. George Navajo Water Commission Hap Mayberry Navajo Tribal Utility Authori ty EPA Pete Uribe Region IX, San Francisco Paula June Connelly Region IX, San Francisco Kirk Sniff Region VI, Dallas Edgar A. Jeffrey Region VI, Dallas 8003040 g4
i R. A. Scarano NMEID Cubia L. Clayton Deputy Director Bruce S. Garber Legal Tom Buhl Radiation Church Rock Action Cannittee Helen George Jim Oljuin BIA-Navajo Area H. Barry Holt Environmental Quality Sect.
Indian Health Service, Window Rock George A. Boysen PHS-GIMC-Glup James Atkins, M.D.
NRC, Uranium Recovery Licensing E. A. Trager Discussion The meeting was called to order by Raymond Lancer and Harold Tso reviewed the proposed meeting agenda, attached.
The follcwing discussion includes only those areas in which NRC involvenent has been requested.
H. Tso stated that regulatory standards for uranium recovery activities on Indian lands should be at least as strict as State standards. He felt that activities of all agencies should be coordinated so that
- urisdictional conflicts / problems would not result in no standards being
.n place.
H. Tso suggested that a technical working session be held on modelling the impacts that result when tailings are used in backfilling mines.
This was not done for the two operations in New Mexico for which backfilling has been authorized.
We will have to be evaluating this in the Gulf case since they are proposing disposal of approximately one-half of the Mt. Taylor Project tailings back in the deep mines. While I did not commit us to undertaking any action in direct response to Tso's suggestion, it is important to note we are working with BUMINES in research they are initiating in this area.
R. A. Scarano.
In response to questions /conments concerning NRC involvement in regulatory activities in New Mexico, I made the following points:
NRC is continuing in the role of technical consultant to New !!exico.
If the NRC tailings management performance objective concerning seepage is met, there should be no need for remedial action.
Seepage problems like those at the Church Rock impoundment should not occur at impoundments licensed in the future.
The December 7,1979, NRC summary report on the Church Rock dam failure Environmental Impact Assessment has been distributed to Federal and State agencies involved in the assessment effort. That report contains the October, 1979, radiological dose assessment which was prepared by the NRC.
The NRC Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch should be contacted about any questions / comments on the contents of the report.
The NRC has no fomal education programs concerning the impacts of uranium recovery activities. However, the Uranium Recovery Licensing staff is willing to assist the Navajo to develop such a program.
As part of this effort a tribal representative (s) might come to work in Washington in licensing and/or a seminar (s) might be held in New Mexico. An outline of the training program could be worked up(action:infomally after the goals of the program have been defined H. Tso). Agencies willing to participate in the training program could comment on the outline and offer specific contributions, e.g., the NRC has a wealth of published materials available on the impacts of milling.
In response to a question as to whether the NRC would participate in an " Emergency Response Team," I said the NRC could be expected to respond as was the case following the Church Rock failure.
I added this capability should not be necessary for impoundments which meet the NRC siting and design performance objectives.
The Church Rock Action Committee (Helen George) asked whether the NRC would send a " trainer" concerning the Church Rock failure.
I informed her that the NRC has not completed the assessment yet.
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E. A. Trager Uranium Recovery Licensing Branch Division of Waste Management
Enclosure:
As stated