ML20044A575
| ML20044A575 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/08/1990 |
| From: | NRC |
| To: | Sanford T SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20044A573 | List: |
| References | |
| CCS, CUMMINS-900308, NUDOCS 9006290237 | |
| Download: ML20044A575 (2) | |
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' QUESTION 2.
What have been some of the problems that have surfaced with monitoring existing' sites?
l ANSWER.
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For the presently operating LLW sites, the main areas of concern are water intrusion and subsidence.
Because the Richland and Beatty sites are' located-j 1
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in arid regions ~, water intrusion is of less concern than at Barnwell, which L
is located in a humid area.
Subsidence at operating sites, the sinking of l
the soil surface.at local' areas 'within' the sites, is not.a major concern since NRC, in the early 1980's, issued a regulation (10 CFR Part 61) to require l
l improved waste forms and designs of trench covers to reduce the likelihood of-i 1
subsidence.
Parts of this regulation have been implemented at the operating sites, and NRC and the States have been working together to implement the remaining 10 CFR Part 61 requirements.
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The three inactive sites have experienc'ed subsidence and slumping of trench covers, as wastes and trench covers have consolidated, and as voids in the waste packages and in the soil backfill between the packages.have filled.- Water has accumulated in the trenches (i.e., the " bathtub" effect), and offsite movement of radioactivity, by varying pathways, has occurred. Migration'of radioactivity is being monitored t
by Federal and State authorities. Corrective action will be taken if the level of radioactivity offsite increases to a point where it becomes a threat to public health and safety. The lack of trench stability and water accumulation have resulted in maintenance costs that were not anticipated in planning for the long-term care of the sites by the states.
9006'90237 900530 2
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3-Part 61 of 10 CFR is directed at preventing problems, such as those discussed above, experienced at the inactive sites, from occurring at other sites.
The rule requires technical, institutional, and financial planning for long-term care throughout the life cycle of the site, beginning with site selection and design. Additional information is contained in a brochure we are sending you for Ms. Cummins (see Attachment 1).
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