ML20136G907
| ML20136G907 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/13/1997 |
| From: | Joseph Holonich NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Virgona J ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20136G912 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-43 NUDOCS 9703180246 | |
| Download: ML20136G907 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES p
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NUCLEAR REGUL.ATORY COMMISSION 2
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 f
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March 13, 1997 4
I U.S. Department of Energy.
ATTN: Joseph Virgona, Project Manager Grand Junction Project Office P.O. Box 2567
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2597 B 3/4 Road j
Grand Junction, CO 81502
SUBJECT:
REVIEW 0F LOWMAN ANNUAL INSPECTION REPORT The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has reviewed the report submitted by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) entitled "1996 Annual l-Inspection of the Lowman, Idaho, Project Disposal Site."
In the report, DOE noted that several problems were occurring at the site, including erosion and biointrusion, and discussed potential mitigating measures for the problems.
i Because of the potential severity of the erosion problem, the staff determined
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that NRC contractors should independently assess the site conditions.
On November 7,1996, Mohammad Haque of NRC, Dr. Steve Abt of Colorado State University (CSU), Dr. J. C. Chen of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and Charles Jones of IT Corporation (DOE contractor) visited the Lowman site to assess the conditions that were documented in the'1996 j
inspection' report. The site inspection focused on the erosion and sloughing l
occurring along the toe and sides of the cell.
l Based on staff review of the 1996 inspection report and the follow-up reports i-of the NRC contractors, it appears that a significant erosion problem exists in the immediate vicinity of the disposal cell. The. staff agrees with DOE's concern that sloughing and erosion along the toe and sides of the cell could l'
progress and possibly become a major problem. However, DOE's' recommended re-j.
vegetation program alone, may not be sufficient to effectively stabilize the i'
mass wasting process. The problem may be related in part to seepage, soil saturation, and the resultant failure of the soil slopes.
The gullying and erosion may, in fact, be only secondary results of slope instability.
Revegetation alone may not necessarily prevent slope failures.
- I Based on the information provided to date, the NRC. staff considers that DOE i
should further evaluate the erosion / instability problems at Lowman and the potential for the problems to affect the stability of the disposal cell, in accordance with the process described in Section 9.0 of the Lowman Long-Term Surveillance Plan. The evaluation of site problems should include: collection of field data to determine existing conditions (e.g., saturated shear strength parameters, contributing ~ drainage areas for the affected areas, and seepage source and amount); analysis;of site conditions using the collected data; and i
development of a plan to resolve the problem in a manner that will not require M5z-further significant annual maintenance'and repair. The staff requests that this evaluation be provided for NRC review as soon as possible.
Reports of i
the inspection by the NRC contractors are enclosed for your information.
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However, recommendations contained in those reports are only the preliminary L*~
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opinions of the contractors, not recommendations or requirements of the NRC staff. The NRC staff's role is review and approval of recommendations and 1
evaluations that are provided by DOE as part of its corrective action plan.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Ted Johnson of my staff.
He may be reached at 301-415-6658.
i Sincerely, (Original signed by)
Joseph J. Holonich, Chiefv' Uranium Recovery Branch Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Materiel Safety and Safeguards
Enclosures:
As stated i
DISTRIBUTION:
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