ML20011D752
| ML20011D752 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/14/1989 |
| From: | Carr K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Synar M HOUSE OF REP., GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS |
| References | |
| CCS, NUDOCS 8912280363 | |
| Download: ML20011D752 (2) | |
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20566 December 14, 1989 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Mike Synar, Chairman Subcommittee on Environment. Energy, and Natural Resources Committee on Government Operations United States House of Representatives Washington, D. C.
20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I am writing to inform you of recent Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) actions concerning the radioactively contaminated sites at Cushing, Oklahoma; Pawling, New York; and the West Lake Landfill in Missouri.
In all three cases, progress has been made toward appropriate remedial actions.
Representatives of NRC's contractor, the Radiological Site Assessment Program of Oak Ridge Associated. Universities (0RAU),
met with Kerr-McGee representatives on September 13 and 14, 1989, to review the history of Kerr-McGee'; uranium and thorium operations and to visit the Cushing, Oklahoma site.
Subsequently, i
the ORAU conducted a scoping survey of the site with a gamma-radiation detector on October 25, 1989.
Their survey identified a few locations on the site where the radiation levels may exceed NRC's current guidance levels for release for-unrestricted use.
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On November 2, 1989, Kerr-McGee began a radiological survey of the
'l site, which subsequently confirmed that radiation-levels at isolated locations on the site exceeded NRC's guidance levels.
The HRC staff met with representatives of Kerr-McGee'on December 1, 1989, to review the results of Kerr-McGee's survey and their plans for remedial action.
In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the Cushing' site for addition to the National Priorities List (NPL) based upon detection of lead,- chromium, radium, and uranium in groundwater at the site (see October 26. 1989, Federal Register; 54 FR 43778).
After evaluation of our contractoFi iurvey7Kerr-McGee's data and-plans, and EPA's proposed actions, NRC will decide'on an 1
appropriate course of cleanup action in early 1990.
~
- The Pawling, New York, site was the subject.of a meeting on October 26, 1989, between the NRC staff and representatives of the Department of the Interior-(DOI) and ORAU (0RAU previously I
surveyed the site for DOI).
The staff discussed the measured and suspected contamination, the condition of the' site. and D01's cleanup plans.
The staff.is assessing this information and considering what further NRC action is required.
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, With respect to the Westlake Landfill, Mr. Robert M. Bernero, Director of our Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, met with Mr. George Rifakes, President of Cotter Corporation on September 13, 1989.
Mr. Bernero informed Mr. Rifakes of the condition of the radioactive material in the West Lake Landfill and that the NRC staff considers Cotter Corporation responsible for whatever remedial measures are necessary to protect the public health and safety from hazards posed by the radioactive material, The NRC staff discussed this matter further with Mr. Rifakes on October 16, 1989.
Subsequently, in a letter of October 25, 1989, to Cotter Corporation, Mr. Bernero reiteretei' NRC's position ano requested ' the company's plans for c harre tr*i-iny the leration and concentration of ra6ionuclides at t<>e ite at well as a" evaluation of any nece.ssary re. <i f a ' L.i.
EPA has also roposed the West Lake Landfill sTta fur Gir:o-
.o ',he NPL based on observed release of
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.oundwater at the site (54 FR 43778).
I want to assure y,ri the we wi i continue to ur.c^ 3il three of these cases to er. u.
v 3per cc.stro? and iisposal of formerly-licensed radioactfve
.eri, an '.hese site _.
We will keep you informed of progress resoiviep these cases at. circumstances warrant.
Sincerely,
-Kenneth M. Carr cc:
Rep. William F. Clinger, Jr.
Henry Longest, II Office of Emergency and Remedial Response t
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