ML20058N550
| ML20058N550 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/10/1990 |
| From: | Combs T NRC OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL & PUBLIC AFFAIRS (GPA) |
| To: | Roth W HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20058N553 | List: |
| References | |
| CCS, NUDOCS 9008140190 | |
| Download: ML20058N550 (3) | |
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UNITED ST ATEs g
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July 10,1990 The Honorable William V. Roth, Jr.
United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20510
Dear Senator Roth:
This is in response to your inquiry on behalf of your constituent Nicole Fongeallaz, which requested information concerning the disposal of low-level i
radioactive wastes off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.
By way of background, all acean disposal of low-level radioactive waste by the United States was terminated in 1970.
Prior to that, from 1946 to 1970, radioactive waste disposal was conducted at sea under the direction and licensing authority of the then United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
In 1972, Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act:(P.L.92-532) which gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the responsibility for developing regulations and. issuing permits for the future ocean disposal of all waste, including low-level radioactivt. waste.
EPA has not issued permits for ocean disposal of any radioactive waste.
Finally, P.L.95-273, the National Pollution Research and Development and Monitoring Planning Act of 1978, designated the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the lead agency for monitoring programs and for research and development into ocean pollution, j
Two factsheets, one prepared by EPA the other by the NRC staff, a copy of each is enclosed, based upon old Atomic Energy Comission records, would indicate that either of two sites in the Atlantic Ocean could be the object ofyourcongtituert'sconcern. One is at a depth of 2,800 meters (9.190 feet) at 38 30'N 72 06'W approximately 114 miles off the cogst of Dglaware and the other is at a depth of 3,800 meters (12,470 feet) at 37 50'N 70 35'W a) proximately.192 miles off the coast of Maryland. The factsheets state t1at 14,300 containers representing some 41,400 curies of radioactivity were disposed of at the Delaware site and 14,500 containers, including the reactor shell of the submarine Seawolf, representing some 2,100 curies were disposed of at the Maryland site. The disposals were performed by Atomic Energy Commission licensees and contractors, and took place from 1951 to 1960.
Additional information would have to be obtained from former AEC records in storage at a federal records center and are not readily available.
Also enclosed is an NRC prepared factsheet " General Description on Types
'of Disposed Materials Generated or Licensed by AEC and Their Containers."
It states that the containers were primarily 55 gallon steel drums o~
boxes filled with concrete to assure they reached the ocean floor.
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l I hope that this information is helpful in responding to your constituent.
i I~would also suggest that you or your constituent contact the Environmental Protection Agency and'the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
' l for information regarding continued mon.toring of these disposals.
Sincerely,
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Thomas R. Combs, Acting Director Congressional Affairs Office of Governmental and Public Affairs
Enclosures:
As stated t
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boxes containing trace contamination on paper towels, rags, clothing, glassware and laboratory equipment, a.,
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! hope that this information is helpful in responding to your constituent.
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I would also suggest that "ou or your constituent contact the Environmental
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Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for information regarding continued monitoring of these disposals.
Sincerely, Original signed by Tom Combs Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Congressional Affairs Office of Governmental and Public Affairs Enciosures:
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