ML19322E325

Forwards Increment of Analysis of Effects of Natural Phenomena on Pu Fabrication Operations.Increment of Analysis Considers Environ Character Around Plant.Nrc Has Adopted Analysis for Application in Future Analyses

ML19322E325
Person / Time
Site:	Framatome ANP Richland
Issue date:	03/13/1980
From:	Rouse L NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Nilson R SIEMENS POWER CORP. (FORMERLY SIEMENS NUCLEAR POWER
References
REF-PROJ-M-3 NUDOCS 8003270189
Download: ML19322E325 (28)

Text

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\\ lrs p 2:stu UNITED STATES j

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l

f WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 Sp4....,/

MAR 131980 Docket No. 70-1257 Project M-3 j

Dr. Roy Nilson, Manager Corporate Licensing I

Exxon Nuclear Conpany, Inc.

2955 George Washington Way Richland, Washington Gentlemen:

The purpose of this letter is to transmit for your information an increment of the analysis of the effects of natural phenomena relative i

to your plutonium fabrication operations at Richland, Washington.

The subject increment of analysis is the environmental character around your Richland, Washington plant.

A draft of the enclosure has been reviewed, and commented upon, by those analysts who require the results to carry out succeeding analyses and by the NRC staff.

The NRC staff has adopted this final version of the review for application in succeeding analyses. However, we will consider challenge of our position when supported by credible technical bases.

Any questions you may have on the enclosed analysis should be addressed to James E. Ayer of this Branch.

He will direct resolution of comments and any justifiable revision of the analysis.

Sincerely,

/

'e Leland C. Rouse, Chief Advanced Fuel and Spent Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety

Enclosure:

As stated l

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I 8003270189

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.c kt DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE ENVIRONMENT

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A.

THE EXXON NUCLEAR SITE 1.

Geographic location The. Exxon Nuclear site lies just inside the northern boundary of the

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city of Richland in the southeastern portion of the State of Washington, T.-

and is approximately 110 miles west of the Idaho-Washington border, 180 miles south.of the Canadian border, and 225 miles east of the

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Pacific Ocean. As shown in Figure 1, it is bordered on the north by the 559 square mile Hanford Reservation. The site consists of the entire southwest quarter of Section 15, Township 10 North,

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Range 28 East, Willamette Meridian in Benton County. The site coordinates are 46' 22' north latitude and 119* 16 ' vest longitude.

The 160 acre site is square shaped.

The MOFF lies in the northwest j;;?

corner of the site, and the center of the plant lies approximately

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of the site. The remaining site boundaries lie 410 ft. to the west,.

1,700 ft. to the south, and 2,200 ft. to the east.

The Colu=bia

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River flows southward at a point approximately 1-3/4 miles east of the M0FP and the Yakima River flows toward the southeast roughly 2-1/2

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=iles southwest of the plant. Table I gives the distance from D ~~

the MOFF to a number of offsite developments.

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3 TABLE I DISTANCES FROM THE MOFP 70 0FFSITE DEVELOPMENTS DEVELOPMENTS DISTANCE DIRECTION

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Horn Rapids Rd.

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N Stevens Drive 4600 ft.

E Industrial Plant 1 mi.

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State Route 240 2 mi.

SW Closest Farm 1 mi.

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Closest School 2-1/10 mi.

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Major Ibpographic Features The Exxon Nuclear site is basically flat, but covered with a series of parallel wind-swept ridges that extend in the northeast and c.

southwest directions, and range from 5 to 30 ft. in height.

The vsan Burbank loamy fine sand, Finley fine ' sandy loam, and Quincy loamy sand that forms the surface soil of the area supports typical

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desert vegetation dominated by bitterbrush and sagebrush. The

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general topographic trend is an upward slope from the site, which is at an elevation of 372 ft. above sea level, toward the north j

and northwest.

The site lies on a wedge of land between the Columbia and Yakima Rivers.

The Columbia River is approximately 340 ft. above sea level 4

in the vicinity of the site.

The banks are generally 100 to 200 ft.

i above the River. Approximately three miles northeast of the site on the eastern bank of the Columbia is a continuous outcropping, known as the ta2ite Bluffs, which vary in altitude between 670 and 930 ft.

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above sea level. To the west and south are the Rattlesnake Hills, which reach an altitude of approximately 3600 ft.

These features,

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cut by the Yakima River ne'ar Benton City, merge into the Horse Heaven Hills near Kennewick, approximately 14 miles southeast of the site.

The developments within a five mile radius of the site are shown on Figure 2 and 3.

Approximately one mile to the east is an industrial park. The closest development within the Hanford reservation is the 300 Area, located about 1-1/2 miles northeast of the site. The access to the site is on the North fran Horn Rapids Road. The Federal Govern-ment has leased to the State of Washington a solid waste burial ground on the Hanford Reservation several miles northwest of the site. Horn Raphh Road intersects Stevens Drive, the main north-south route to the Hanford Reservation, to the east of the site, and the Hanford Highway i

to the west. A Federally-owned and operated railroad which runs north and south is located roughly 2000 ft. east of the site.

The Horn Rapids ditch, which forms the southernmost boundary of the l

Horn Rapids Triangle, supplied irrigation water to agricultural areas adjacent to the Yakima River. A deserted gravel pit lies adjacent to the eastern boundary of the site, and an abandoned canal, running c

north and south, lies approximately 2000 ft. to the west of the site.

As shown in Figure 4, the MOFP is located approximately 110 ft. west of the UO2 f acility and 200 f t. south of the Exxon Nuclear office bdildings. These buildings are roughly 750 ft south of Horn i

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8 Rapids Road. The production facilities are surrounded by an eight ft. security fence. The i= mediate area surrounding the Exxon Nuclear development is vacant.

B.

LAND USE AND REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHY

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Land Use'

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The Exxon Nuclear site is the sole development on a 6,100 acre parcel

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of land known,as the Horn Rapids Triangle. This land was acquired by the USAEC in 1942 as part of the Hanford Reservation and was

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subsequently annexed to the Cit;y of Richland in 1967.

The triangular tract is bounded on the north by Horn Rapids Road, en the south by the Horn Rapids Irrigation Ditch, on the east by a strip of Federally-owned land, and on the southeast by the Port of Benton airport.- State Route 240, Hanford Righway, runs diagonally through the Triangle.

The City of Richland owns two-thirds of th,2 land in the Triangle; the remaining third, arranged in a checkerboarc' pattern, is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. At present, a portion of the Triangle is zoned for light industry and the re=ainder is zoned agricultural. The 160 acre Exxon Nuclear site lies in the northeastern portion of the 800 acre rectangle which is zoned industrial.

Exxon Nuclear has an option on the 160 acre parcel directly to the west of its property.

The City has a comprehensive development plan for thg entire area.

A 1970 development study of the. Horn Rapids Triangle is used as a guideline for this section of the City within the present plan. The year 2000 plan for the Horn Rapids Triangle is shown in Figure 5.

It is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 acres of the Triangle will be required by the year 2000, assuming a population growth rate in the range of 2% to 2.5%.

(2% is estimated by the Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company.) The residential development, which is planned adjacent to Hanford Road, is not expected to be required until 1980 or 1990 (if development in the area annexed in 1970 south of the Yakima River proceeds rapidly).

It is plann d that roughly 10-20%

of the Triangle will be developed for industry, and that the industrial development will take place to the south and west of the existing Exxon Nuclear site.

The land use in Benton County within a five-mile radius of the MOFF co= prises rural residential southwest of the plant, high density-residential southeast of the plant, and unoccupied desert northeast and northwest of the plant. Approximately 180 acres of land are being farmed for alfalfa east-southeast of the plant, and an additional alfalfa field of about 65 acres lies southeast of the plant.

Because the soil is salty, land close to the Exxon Nuclear plant is s

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10 not well-suited for cash crops. However, a number of acres of irrigated pasture supports, horses, beef cattle, and a few sheep and milk cows.

It is estimated that there are a few hundred head of cattle within five miles of the plant in Benton County. The closest hear of about 50 beef cattle are located about three miles southwest of the plant.

That portion of Franklin County which lies within a five-mile radius of the MOFP is primarily an agriculture area. The principle crops are alfalfa, hay and potatoes. There are two co=mercial dairy herds in this area comprising roughly 150 cows. There are, perhaps, an equal number of beef cattle.

2.

Population The Exxon Nuclear site is on the northern border of the city of Richland, which constitutes, along with Pasco and Kennewick, a metropolitan area known as the Tri-Cities. The projected population of the Tri-Cities in 1980 is approximately 78,500. The centers of population within a 50 mile radius of the site are shown in Figure 6.

The projected 1980 population distribution within 22.5 sectors is given in Figure 7.

Table II gives population projections supplied by the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories through the year 1990.

3.

Traffic Horn Rapids Road provides the only highway access to the Exxon Nuclear Site. A 1978 measurement in the vicinity of the site indicrted an average daily traffic volume on this road of approximately 2000 vehicles.

Stevens Drive, directly east of the site, provides the main north-south access to the Hanford Reservation, and consists of four lanes in the vicinity of the site. The average daily traf fic volume on Stevens Drive approximately three miles south of the intersection with Horn Rapids Road, north of intersection with Route 240, is 8000-9000 vehicles.

The average daily traffic volume og State Route 240 south of the site was roughly 3440 vehicles in 1978 The railroad track to the east of the site is owned and operated by the Federal Government, and is used exclusively for freight. On the average, the track serves two trains per day.

The Port of Benton Airport, approximately 3 miles south of the site, is used for small private aircraf t, including small private jets, and by a commercial commuter air carrier having approximately 30 flights per day.

The Tri-Cities Airport, approximately 10 miles southeast of the site, accommodates aircraft as large as the Boeing 727, and is served by approximately 12 DC-9 commercial flights and 20 or more commuter flights daily.

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. 13 TABLE II POPULATION PROJECTIONS FOR RINGS SURROUNDING THE EXXON NUCLEAR SITE Population Radius 1980 1990 0 - 10 miles 45,370 54,440 10

'20 miles 63,300 67,680 20 - 30 miles 22,110 27,010 30 - 40 miles 42,180 55,660 40 - 50 miles 41,260 47,200 Total

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14 4.

Commercial Activities The major commercial activities in the Tri-Cities area are nuclear energy research, development, and application; and agriculture. The industrial park directly east of the Exxon Nuclear site is populated mostly by US Department of Energy contractors, as shown in Figure 3.

These industries' employ more than 1200 individuals.

The 559 square mile Hanford Reservation has served as a national nuclear center since 1943, when construction of the plutonium production reactors was initiated. Although only one reactor is in operation, the Reservation is still a center for nuclear energy research and development.and some production activities. At present,

1970, alg,hich approximately 3500 people are employed at Hanford.

In construction was initiated on the Fast Flux Test Facil 7,

w is expected to be in operation in 1980, and is located tughly 6 miles north of the Exxon Nuclear site. The construction of tr Hanford No. 2 Nuclear Plant,' an 1100 MWe generating facility owned by Washington Public Power Supply System and located approximately 8 miles north of the site, was begun at the end of 1972, and the plant is expected to be operational in 1981.

~

Agriculture is also important to the economy of the area. In 1978,

'he value of crops grown in the Columbia Basin Area was approximately t

$230,000,000, and livestock, poultry, and associated products were valued at about S71,000,000.5 Many of the acres devoted to crops are irrigated and are planted with wheat, hay, and other small grains; potatoes, to a lesser extent vineyard, and orchard crops are grown.___,_

There are essentially n.o forest products harvested in this par t of the state.

In' 1967, there were approximately 60 manufacturing establishments in Benton and Franklin Counties, employing about 5300 individuals.6 Chemical products, food products, and printing and publishing constituted the majority of the manufacturing establishments. A number of these plants are located along the Columbia River, southeast of the Tri-Cities.

The area between the Port of Benton Airport and Hanford Road, approximately 2-1/2 miles south of the MOFP, is the site of some recent industrial developments. A large food packaging plant, specializing in the processing of potatoes, has been located there. Additionally, a new airport terminal has been build including a restaurant. Nearby, computer software manufactur-ing and office facilities have been built.

i

15 C.

METEOROLOGY 1.

Regional Climatology

~

The -climate of the Hanford area is relatively mild and dry and is controlled in part by the seasonal and synoptic variations in the strength and position of the Pacific high-pressure center. The area has the characteristics of both maritime and continental climates, modified by the Cascades and Rocky Mountains. The maritime influence of the ocean is strongest in winter due to the prevailing westerlies.

Occasionally, very cold Canadian air enters the region from the east and north, resulting in very cold conditions.

In summer, airflow from the Pacific is reduced, and the area is subject to clear skies, high temperatures, and low humidities during the afternoons, but the clear, dry air permits rapid radiation cooling af ter sundown, producing cool nights. Rainfall in summer is very light. Winters are cloudy and relative humidities are high, although total precipitation is quite low. Wind direction is strongly influenced by the terrain; windspeeds are moderate, with occasional calms and gales. The prevailing wind direction is southeast.

2.

Local Climatology Unless otherwise indicated, the climatological data used in this report were collected at the Hanford Meteorological Station (HMS), which is located about 32 km (20 mi) porthwest of the site.7 Temperature and precipitation records were collected by a U.S. Weather Bureau cooperative observer from 1912 to 1943 at a site about 16 km (10 mi) ENE of the HMS. Hourly observations at the HMS are continuous since December 1944.

(There are small gaps in the record in 1943 and 1944.) The climatological data are given in Table III.

P emperature of the site (based on the 1912-70 record)

The average annual t

is 11.7 C (53.l'F); annual averages vary from 13.4'C (56.2'F) in 1934 to 10.1'c (50.2'F) in 1929 and 1958. January, with -1.4 *C (29.4 *F), is the coldest month; July is the warmest month, averaging 24.l*C (76.4'F).

January means values have varied from 5.8'C (42.5'F) in 1952 to -ll.1*C (12.l*F) in 1950. The summer variability of average temperatures is less; in July, the mean monthly temperature varies from 27.7'C (81.8 F) in 1960 to 22.7 C-(72.4 F) in 1964.

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I

17 Extreme temperatures are 46.l*C (115 F) in July 1939 and -32.8 C- (-27*F) in December 1919. Maximum temperatures above 32.2*C (90*F) can be expected 56 days per year, above 37.8'c (100*F) 13 days per year, and below 0*C (32*F) 22 days per year. Mimimum temperatures below 0*C (32*F) can be expected on 115 days per year, and below -17.8'c (0*F) on four days per year. The average seasonal (July through June) degree-day total (in *F for the period 1945-70) is 5267; seasonal totals vary frem 6045 (1949-50) to 4599 (1966-67). As is typical of arid areas, the daily temperature range is quite large. At the Yakima Airport, the annual daily range averages 14.9'c (26.9*F).8 In July the range is 19.3*C (34.8*F), and in December it is 8.7 C (15.6 F).

Precipitation in the Hanford area averages 159 mm (6.25 in). January, with 24 mm (0193 in), is on the average the wettest month; July, with 4 cm (0.14 in), is the driest. Calendar months with no measurable precipitation have occurred year-round except in January and December. The greatest 24-hour rainfall was 49 mm (1.91 in) in October 1957, with 43 mm (1.68 in) falling'in six hours. As is typical of arid regions, the variation in rainfall totals from year to year is large; annual totals range from 290 mm (11.45 in) in 1950 to 83 mm'(3.26 in) in 1969. A trace or more of precipitation falls on 132 days per year.

Days with precipitation equal to or greater than 6.4 mm (0.25 in).are infrequent, averaging seven days per year.

Snowf all, which accounts for 40% of all precipitation in the months of December through February, averages 323 mm (12.7 in). Seasonal amounts of frozen precipitation vary from 8 =m (0.3 in) in the winter of 1957-1958) to 1107 mm (43.6 in) in 1915 - 1916.

The maximum recorded snow depth was 300 mm (12 in). A typical year has five days with 25 mm (1 in) or more of snow.

The average number of clear days per year is 111; cloudy days,166.

Tne average annual daytime (sunrise to sunset) cloud cover is 59%, and varies from 81% in December to 27% in July. The average annual relativa humidity is 54%; the value la 81% in December and 32% in July, At Yakima, the afternoon (4 p.m. PST) humidity varies from 74% in winter to 25% in midsu=mer.8 A value of 6% was recorded at the HMS in July 1951, Thunderstorms are quite rare, averaging 11 davs per year, mostly in Hail has been observed on 16 days in 12 years of record, Dust su=mer.

aas been recorded at the HMS on 2% of all days of observation (84 days in 14 years of record), with a distinct maximum frequency during the summer months.

18 Light fog occurs on 38 days per year. Heavy fog visibility no greater than 0.4 km or 0.25 mi) occurs on the average 24 days per year, varying from 9 days in 1948-49 to 42 days in 1950-51. Heavy fogs are most frequent on the average in December 8 (days), January (6 days), and November (5 days), and have never been observed in June or July.

The average duration of fog is 3.2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />; however, e light fog (visibility less than 9.7 km or 6 mi) persisted for 72.3 hcurs in December 1947.

Surface winds in the area are controlled in part by local topographic features. The long-term (1945-70) average annual windspeed at 15.2 m at the HMS site is 3.4 m/s (7.6 mph). Monthly averages vary from 2.7 m/s (6.0 mph) in November to 4.0 m/s (9.0 mph) in June.7 This unusual annual cycle of windspeeds is caused by strong drainage winds from the nearby mountain ridges during clear su=mer evenings and nights. The prevailing wind direction for all months at HMS is either NW or tCnJ, reflecting drainage winds at night.7 Wind from the W, WNW, and NW occur 42.4% of the time, compared to only 19.8% from the SSW, SW, and WSW.

Strong winds from the NW sectors are relatively rare; 88.9% of all winds 13.9 m/s (31 mph) or faster come from the SSW, SW, and WSW, whereas only 6.8% are associated with flow from the W, WNW, and NW.7 The strongest wind ever observed at Hanford occurred on 11 January 1972.9 A peak gust of 35.8 m/s (80 mph) was, recorded at the 15.2-m height of the HMS meteorological tower; the average windspeed for the hour endi 3 at 0900 PST was 22.8 m/s (51 mph).

3.

Dispersion Meteorology No onsite wind data are collected at the Exxon site. Table IV is a joint frequency distribution of windspeed vs. direction at 10 m for one year at the Hanford-2 nuclear power plant site located about 13 km (8 mi) NNW of the site. Because the two sites have a similar exposure, the wind and stability data collected at the Hanford-2 site are representative of those at the Exxon site. The distribution of wind directions is biomodal, with maximums from the NW and S.

Strong winds (9 m/s or 19 mph) occurred 479 hours0.00554 days <br />0.133 hours <br />7.919974e-4 weeks <br />1.822595e-4 months <br /> during the one year of record (5.5% of the time).

Th'e average annual relative-concentration (X/Q and relative-deposition (D/Q) values for the Exxon facility were calculated using one year (April 1975-March 1976) of wind velocity and stability data collected at the Hanford-2 reactor site and the X0QD0Q model developed by NRC.10 Tables V and VI provide X/Q and D/Q valuee at selected distances for 16 directions from the Exxon plant. The X/Q values in Table V were calculated for continuous ground-level releases. The model includes an allowance fcr plume meander during light winds and stable atmospheric conditions.10 The D/Q values in Table VI represent only routine, continuous releases using a deposition velocity appropriate for 131I and do not include a correction for the settling velocity of Pu0 particles resulting from their size and density. Considering the possible size spectrum of material and potential travel distance with varying windspeeds, the actual D/Q value may show some variation from that given in the table.

~

19 Table IV Joint Frequency Distribution-,Windspeed vs. Wind Direction at 10 =--Hanford-2 27aclear Plant, April 1975 through March 1976 (l:)

Soeed Class (mph)#

tion 1-3 4-7 8-12 13-18 19-24

>2S Unk Total laiE 1.2 2.0 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.3 0

4.7 12E 0.9 1.6 0.4 0.1 0

0 0

2.9 ENE 0.7 1.1 0.4 b

0 0

b 2.3 E

0.9 0.7 0.1 0

0 0

b' 1.8 ESE 1.0 0.9 0.3 0

0 0

0 2.1 b

4.5 SE 1.1 2.4 0.8 0.2 b

0 SSE 1.1 4.4 2.7 0.5 0

0 b

8.7 S

1.1 4.0 4.0 1.3 0.2 0

b 10.6 SSW

~ 1. 2 2.5 2.5 2.6 0.7 0.4 0.1 10.0 SW 1.1 1.8 1.2 1.6 0.7 0.4 0.1 7.0 WSW 1.1 1.5 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.1 5.0 W

0.9 1.6 1.0 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.1 4.6 WNW 1.6 2.6 2.3 1.2 0.4 0.1 b

8.1 W

1.9 4.2 2.7 1.4 0.7 0.4 b

11.4 107.

2.1 3.6 1.3 0.3 b

0 0.1 7.4 N

1.6 2.4 1.0 0.4 b

b b

5.5 Unk 0.1 0.1 b

b 0

0 1.5 Var 1.1 1.0 0.1 0

0 0

2.2 Total 20.6 32.3 22.7 10.8 3.7 1.8

1. Cal::s = 0.0%.

.aess than 0.1%.

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20 3

Table,V Annual Average Relative Co'ncentrations (s/m )

f Based on Continuous Ground-Level Release and One Year of Hanford-2 Meteorological Data, Exxon Facility, Richland, Washington Distance (mi)

Sector 0,5 1.0 2.0 4.0 10.0 25.0 50.0 N

6.1-6 1.9-6 6.5-7 2.4-7 6.7-8 2.1-8 8.3-9 8

NNE 5.1-6 1.6-6 6.3-7 1.9-7 5.4-8 1.6-8 6.4-9 NE 3.9-6 1.2-6 4.2-7 1.5-7 4.2-8 1.2-8 5.1-9 ENE 3.6-6 1.1-6 3.8-7 1.4-7 3.9-8 1.2-8 4.7-9 E

3.4-6 1.0-6 3.6-7 1.3-7 3.6-8 1.1-8 4.4-9 ESE 5.9-6 1.8-6 6.2-7 2.3-7 6.3-8 1.9-8 7.5-9 SE

'7.6-6 2.4-6 8.1-7 3.0-7 8.4-8 2.5-8 1.0-8 SSE 7.3-6 2.3-6 7.8-7 2.9-7 8.2-8 2.5-8 1.0-8 S

5.8-6 1.8-6 6.3-7 2.3-7 6.7-8 2.0-8 8.6-9 SSW 4.8-6 1.5-6 5.2-7 1.9-7 5.6-8 1.7-8 1.2-9 SW 4.2-6 1.3-6 4.6-7 1.7-7 5.1-8 1.6-8 6.6-9

(

WSW 3.2-6 1.0-6 3.5-7 1.3-7 3.7-8 1.1-8 4.8-9 W

2.8-6 8.8-7 3.1-7 1.1-7 3.3-8 1.0-8 4.2-9 We' 2.9-6 8.9-7 3.1-7 1.1-7 3.2-8 9.7-9 4.0-9 NW 7.6-6 1.1-6 3.8-7 1.4-7 3.9-8 1.2-8 4.8-9 NW 5.7-6 1.8-6 6.0-7 2.2-7 6.2-8 1.9-8 7.6-9

" Scientific nctation:

6.1-6 = 6.1 x 10~6 4

O

21 Table VI Annual Average Relative Deposition (m-2)

(

Based on Continuous Ground-Level Release and One Year of Hanford-2 Meteorological Data, Exxon Facility, Richland, Washington Distance (mi)

Secto:

0.5

.0 2.0 4.0 10.0 25.0 50.0 N

2.0-8 6.4-9 2.0-9 5.7-10 1.2-10 2.4-11 6.6-12 8

NNE 1.9-8 6.1-9 1.8-9 5.4-10 1.1-10 2.3-11 6.2-12 NE 1.3-3 4.1-9 1.2-9 3.7-10 7.5-11 1.5-11 4.2-12 ENE 1.0-8 3.2-9 9.5-10 2.8-10 5.8-11 1.2-11 3.2-12 E

1.0-8 3.3-9 9.9-10 2.9-10 6.0-11 1.2-11 3.4-12 ESE 1.8-8 5.6-9 1.7-9 5.0-10 1.0-10 2.1-11 5.8-12 SE 2.2-8 6.9-9 2.1-9 6.1-10 1.3-10 2.6-11 7.0-12 SSE 1.6-8 4.9-9 1.5-9 4.4-10 9.0-11 1.9-11 5.1-12 S

1.2-8 3.7-9 1.1-9 3.3-10 6.8-11 1.4-11 3.8-12 SSW 9.1-9 2.9-9 8.7-10 2.6-10 5.3-11 1.1-11 2.9-12 SW 6.4-9 2.0-9 6.1-10 1.8-10 3.7-11 7.6-12 2.1-12

(

WSW 5.3-9 1.7-9 5.0-10 1.5-10 3.0-11 6.2-12 1.7-12 W

3.9-9 1,2-9 3.8-10 1.1-10 2.3-11 4.2-12 1.3-12 bar:

4.7-9 1.5-9 4.4-10 1.3-10 2.7-11 5.5-12 1.5-12 FN 8.5-9 2.7-9 8.1-10 2.4-10 4.9-11 1.0-11 2.7-12 NNW 1.6-8 5.1-9 1.5-10 4.5-10 9.3-11 1.9-11 5.2-12

" Scientific notation 2.0-8 = 2.0 x 10~8 i

l l

1 s'

22 The accident-case (short-term, up to 2-h) relative concentrations have been computed, using the NRC accident dispersion model,ll and are given in Tables VII and VIII. The model is direction-dependent and calculates the X/Q values out to a distance of 5 km (3.1 mi) immediately following the natural destructive event. The calculation co=putes the X/Q values that are exceeded 5% and 50% of the time as a function of distance and direction. This model, as well, includes allowance for plume meander during light winds and stable atmospheric conditions.

Table VII Tive Percentile Short-Term (2-h)

(

Relative Concentrations (s/m ) for the 3

Exxon Facility, Richland, Washington Distance in Miles (meters) 0.09 0.31 0.62 1.24 3.1 sector (145)

(500)

(2000)

(2000)

(5000)

N 9.6-3" 1.5-3 5.6-4 2.0-4 7.5-5 NUE 8.5-3 7.6-4 2.8-4 1.8-4 6.4-5 NE 9.4-3 6.5-4 2.3-4 2.0-4 7.2-5 ENE 8.4-3 6.9-4 2.5-4 1.8-4 6.6-5 E

7.9-3 6.2-4 2.2-4 1.7-4 6.1-5 ESE 1.1-2 7.7-4, 2.8-4 2.2-4 8.1-5 SE 1.4-2 1.0-3 3.8-4 3.0-4 1.0-4 SSE 1.8-2 8.1-4 3.0-4 2.7-4 1.3-4 S

1.9-2 7.0-4 3.2-4 2.2-4 1.4-4 SSW 1.9-2 6.8'-4 3.0-4 2.1-4 1.4-4 SW 2.0-2 6.6-4 2.4-4 2.3-4 1.5-4

(

WSW 1.3-2 5.8-4 2.1-4 1.8-4 1.0-4 W

l'.1-2 5.5-4 2.3-4 1.8-4 8.7-5 WNW 9.1-3 5.0-4 2.3-4 1.8-4 7.1-5 NW 8.9-3 6.0-4 2.2-4 1.9-4 6.9-5 NNW 9.3-3 1.2-3 4.3-4 2.0-4 7.3-5 Scientific notation:

9. 6-3 = 9. 6 x 10~ 3 i

(

l s

t l

es j

TabicVIII Fif ty Percentile.Short-Ter= (2-h) 3

[*

Relative Concentrations (s/m ) for the Exxon Facili.ty, Richland, Washington Distance in Miles (meters) 0.09 0.31 0.62 1.24 3.1 Sector (145)

(500)

(2000)

(2000)

(5000) 8 N

8.4-4 1.4-4 4.7-5 1.8-5 4.8-6 NNE 7.0-4 9.8-5 3.3-5 1.1-5

3. 0-6 SE 8.0-4 9.9-5 3.3-5 1.2-5 3.5-6 ENE 8.9-4 1.3-4 4.7-5 1.8-5 4.8-6 E

8.6-4 1.4-4 4.7-5 1.8-5 4.8-6 ESE 8.6-4 1.4-4 4.7-5 1.8-5 4.8-6 SE 8.6-4 1.6-4 4.7-5 2.0-5 5.0-6 SSE 1.2-3 1.6-4 5.0-5 2.0-5 6.0-6 S

1.2-3 1.4-4 4.9-5 2.0-5 6.0-6 SSW 1.2-3 1.4-4 4.9-5 2.0-5 6.0-6 SW 1.9-3 2.0-4 7.0-5 3.3-5 1.3-5 WSW 1.3-3 1.8-4 6.5-5 2.8-5 9.0-6 W

1.3-3 1.6-4 6.5-5 2.9-5 8.0-6 WNW 1.3-3 1.5-4 5.2-5 2.1-5 7.0-6 NW 1.2-3 1.5-4 4.8-5 2.0-5 6.0-6 NNW 1.2-3 1.7-4 5.5-5 2.0-5 6.5-6 Scientific notation:

8.4-4 = 8.4 x 10~4 Most dispersion models are applicable only to continuous releases during periods of light to moderate steady-state winds, with numerous experiments averaged to yield dispersion parameters. Concentrations and dimensions of a particulate cloud have been calculated for conditions when the release time is short, the windspeed is very high, and the time the particulate cloud travels across the area is very short.

The values of the dispersion parameters were extrapolated from values for unstable conditions and puff releases. As is standard for instantaneous The release height for this calculation releases, it is assumed that ex

• cy.

is assumed to be 8 to 10 m (25 to 30 ft).

It was arbitrarily assumed that the centerpoint of the cloud of particulates released from the facility traveled downwind with the gust-front with no deposition at speeds of 42.5 m/s (95 mph) and 67.0 m/s (150 mph). Centerline-centerpoint concentrations are given in Table IX.

24

~

Table IX Centerline-Centerpoint Concentrations P.esulting from Straight'-Line Hind Dispersion of a 1-kg Source 42.5 m/s and 67.0 m/s concentration 3

Distance (km)

(vg/m )

0.8 381 2.4 23 4.0 6

5.6 3

7.2 2

12.1 0.4 24.1 0.1 40.2 0.02 56.3 0.01 72.4 0.004 80.0 0.003 To determine the area impacted by che particulate cloud and the time it takes to pass, concentration limits set at two-sigma, or 0.135, of the centerline-centerpoint concentration. The dimensions of a particulate cloud at a point and time of its passage are given in Table X.

Table X - Dioensions of a Particulate Cloud at a Point and Time of Passage of the Cloud, 42.5 m/s and 67.0 m/s Time (c)

Distance (k' yex (m) 42.5 m/s 67.0 m/s 0.8 140 7

4 2.4 380 18 11 4.0 610 29 18 5.6 820 39 24 7.2 1 025 48 31 12.1 1 700 80 51 24.1 3 200 151 96 40.2 5 200 245 155 56.3 6 800 320 203 72.4 8 400 395 251 80 10 300 485 307

2S i

e-D.

ECOLOGY OF THE SITE AND ENVIRONS t

L The Exxon Nuclear site is located in a relatively flat Sagebrush and antelope bitterbrunh predominate a=ong the pristi, desert plant connunities in the area.

ne bluegrass prevail in the understery.Cheatgrass, brome, and Sandberg has be meter.g~ estimated to be roughly 100 g=s of dry matter per aquare i

5 3,

homesteading, fire, and grazing, leaving areas exp 1

urbed by

- K erosion and dune formation.

o wind Russian thistle, mustard, and rabbitbrush have encroach dAs a result j

native flora.

Y homesteading history.A few barely surviving locust trees testify to the

. h e on the area of approximately 19,000 acres of the Hanford Rese:vation y

of the Exxon Nuclear site, but it did not spread into the H

,,3 north Triangle.

fi forbs, and grasses in its path.13The fire destroyed a maiority of the estab orn Rapids y

s, areas is dominated by annual grasses and forbsInitial revegetation of disturbed E

with little or no perennial plant recovery.

, such as cheatgrass, hu The most abundant ma=als in the vicinity of the site and deermice.

By far, the cost abundant ma=al is the pocket mo

[

are pocket nice the area.

which subsists, largely on the seeds of grasses

[

mobile cacmals, such as mule deer, prefer the shores and i l Larger and more r

the Columbia River, with limited use of the mor s ands of

.g steppe.

inland to. forage upon the shoucs of cheatgrass and thin t e barren, inland k

e leaves and h

er smaller twigs of bitterbrush.

found in the distant Rattlesnake Hills.In the su=mer, the deer are frequently

{

h The most abundant reptile is the side-blotched lizard b

especially the gopher snake and the Pacific rattlesnakeSnakes,

[

occasionally encountered.

, are-r.

Birds are not abundant in the sagebrush-bitterbrush typ V

vegetation.

e of horned larks. The most common resident birds are meadowlarks and i

bird, is conspicuous.The loggerhead shrike, although not an abundant i

adequate, ga=e birds, such as the chukar partridgeDuring period

pheasant, b

and courning dove may be found in the vicinity of the, quail, ringneck site.

such as the mar'sh hawk and golden eagle in the winte y,

burrowin'g owl and Swainson's hawk in the summer e

la occasionally observed in the area, and the southern b ld

!)

?

The bald eagle is the only wildlife a a

eagle of endangered species. 4cies in the vicinity that is on the list f

l flocks of Canadian geese forage upon the cheatgrass a dDuring the f

)

l in the vicinity of the site.

}

n alfalfa Vmrfowl are of major importance in the area of the site, and produce an average of roughly 700 pairs m

e' vicinity An estimated 100 pairs of ducks also rest on thesgoslings a islands, one near Ringold and another near Coyote Rapide islands.

Two as rooker;tes by colonies of California and ring-bill d s, are used Approximately 6000 nesting pairs produce e gulls.

annually.

10 000 20 000 young n

1

26 REFEPJiNCES 1.

Planning Study; Horn Rapids Triangle, Richland, Washington; Prepared for City of Richland, Washington by Cornell, Howland, Hayes, and Merryfield; June,1970.

2.

1978 Survey, Washington State Department of Transportation, Yakima, Washington.

3.

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Directorate of Licensing, " Safety Evaluation of the Fast Flux Test Facility," 31 October 1972.

4.

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Directorate of Licensing, " Final Environmental Statement Related to the Proposed Hanford Number Two Nucler.r Power Plant," Washington Public Power Supply, System, Docket No. 50-397, December 1972.

5.

Tri-City Herald, Progress Edition, February 1980.

6.

1967 Census of Manuf acturers, Washington, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; November 1970.

7.

W. A. Stone, D. E. Jenne, and J. M. Thorpe.

" Climatology of the Hanford Area."

Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, BNWL-1605, June 1972.

8.

" Local. Climatological Data, Annual Su= mary, Yakima, Washington."

National Climatic Center, Asheville, NC, 1976.

[

9.

"The Hanford Wind Storm of January 11, 1972." Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, BNWL-1640, February 1972.

10.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. " Methods for Estimating Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion of Gaseous Effluents in Routine Releases from Light-Water Cooled Reactors." Regulatory Guide 1.111, Office of Standards Development.

11.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

" Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential Accident Consequence Assessments of Nuclear Power Plants."

, Regulatory Guide 1.XXX, Hydrology-Meteorology Branch, Draft Technical Position, 1978.

12.

Applicant's Environmental Report; Hanford Number Two Nuclear Power Plant; Washington Public Power Supply system, Amendment 2, USAEC Docket No. 50-397.

v

F 27 13.

T. P. O'Farrell, et al., " Wildfire, an important Natural Modulation of the Desert-Steppe," in BNUL-1550, Pacific Northwest Laboratories,

Richland, Washington, Vol. 1, p. 1.1 (1971) 14.

" Endangered Species of the United States," Department of Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Service (1970).

15. Applicant's Environmental Report; Hanford Number Two Nuc1 car Power Plant; Washington Public Power Supply System; USAEC Docket No. 50-397, Section 2. 3. 6.1, p. 2.

e 9

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l