ML20034D557
| ML20034D557 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000903 |
| Issue date: | 02/03/1993 |
| From: | Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Nadler J HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20034D558 | List: |
| References | |
| CCS, NUDOCS 9302160179 | |
| Download: ML20034D557 (2) | |
Text
V
[ea af og'o UNITED STATES
! ),. f NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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'E W ASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 S.
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E'ebruary 3,1993
....+
The Honorable Jerrold Nadler Member, United States House of Representatives 252 Seventh Avenue - 16th Floor New York, New York 10001-7388
Dear Congressman Nadler:
I am responding to your letter dated January 4,1993, about the alleged radioactive contamination at the Nuclear Lake site in Pawling, NY, and the contract between R.P. Densen Contractors, Inc. (R.P. Densen) and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In 1990, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff initiated the Site.
Decommissioning Management Plan (SDMP) to effectively use staff resources to resolve decommissioning policy issues and to prompt or compel timely remediation of approximately 40 materials licensee sites that contained radioactive contamination in excess of limits for unrestricted release. The Nuclear Lake site in Pawling, NY, was included on this list, because of radioactive contamination in two buildings and in soil immediately adjacent to one of the buildings.
This contamination was identified in extensive surveys, at the site, performed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (0RAU), for the i
National Park Service (NPS), in 1986. The ORAU surseys also included sampling sediments in the dam area where R.P. Densen was performing construction activities, approximately 300 feet from the contamination identified by ORAU.
No contamination exceeding NRC unrestricted release limits was found in the vicinity of the dam.
In November 1992, NPS investigated underwater objects in Nuclear Lake. This investigation resulted from public concerns that radioactive wastes may have been previously disposed of in the lake.
This investigation concluded that the objects in the lake were rocks, tree stumps, a small boat, and a Jeep.
No barrels of radioactive waste were found, nor did radiologic measurements of the objects or the lake bottom detect contamination.
On December 22, 1992, NRC staff met with Mr. Denger of R.P. Densen, his attorney and consultants, USDA staff, and NPS staff, to discuss the alleged contamination and the contractual issues.
Following our review of the radiologic measurements taken on October 19, 1992, on the R.P. Densen vehicle, we concluded that no contamination above background levels was detected.
We also reviewed the 1986 ORAU survey data and concluded that there is no contamination exceeding NRC unrestricted release limits in the areas where R.P. Densen was performing work. We have found no data to indicate that R.P.
Densen workers would be exposed to other than background concentrations of radioactivity.
i In an effort to resolve the allegations made by R.P. Densen and to supplement the existing survey data in the area of the dam, NRC has contracted with Dak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (0 RISE) (formerly ORAU) to perform additional walkover surveys and take additional samples in the area of the o
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The Honorable Jerrold Nadler construction activities. These surveys are scheduled to take place in the near future.
i I want to assure you that NRC is committed to ensuring that all activities being performed at the Nuclear Lake site are accomplished in a manner that protects public and worker health and safety. We are also committed to achieving timely remediation of the identified contamination at the site.
Sincerely,
[. Jl I
M. Ia[M
'. Njn or
/ Jxecutive Director L'
for Operations
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