ML20155G447

Forwards Info Supporting Closeout of Allegation RI-87-A-0107.Rept Reflects Input Provided by Drss & Will Be Included in Insp Rept 50-293/87-57

ML20155G447
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	06/10/1988
From:	Lyash J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Blough R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Shared Package
ML20155G433	List: ML20155G430 ML20155G437 ML20155G447 ML20155G458 ML20155G464
References
FOIA-88-84 NUDOCS 8806170316
Download: ML20155G447 (2)

See also: IR 05000293/1987057

Text

_ _

. _y

.-

,}

e

MEMORANDUM TO: R. Blough, Chief, Projects Section 3B

THROUGH: C. Warren Senior Resident Inspector Pilgrim

FRON: J. Lyash, Resident Inspector, Pilgrim

SUBJECT: ALLEGATION OF IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF RADIDACTIVELY

CONTAMINATED SHRUBS (RI-87-A-0107)

.

Attached please find inf ormation supporting closecut of Allegation

RI-97-A-0107. This writeup reflects input provided by DRSS and will be

included in resident inspection report 50-293/07-57.

Attcchment

l

l

t

.

- l

/

8806170316 880610

PDR FOIA PDR

NICKERSDBB-84

. .. ._

G/S"

.

j/ '

/

I/'. !

'

/

On August 31 and September 11, 1987 the NRC resident office at Pilgrim

roceived

from the site allegations that radioactively

and improperly disposed.contaminated shrubs had been removed

on July 23, August 26 and August 29, 1987. During this The alleged improper disposal occurred

licensee had removed a large number of time period the

shrubs from various areas of the site,

including

cwitchyard.

those planted near the old administration building and the

activities andThe shrubs were

to alleviate certain removed security to facilitate

concerns. site construction

Upon receipt

of the first allegation on August 31, 1987 the NRC requested that the licensee

pcrf orm an evaluation and provide the resul ts f or review. In addition an

independent NRC review was initiated.

Rosident and specialist inspectors reviewed the licensee's conclusions. The

licensee evaluated material release records and interviewed personnel

rogarding removal of shrubs during the week of July 20, 1987. Several

truckloads of shrubs that were transported offsite during the midnight shift

on July 24 were examined in detail.

Because trace amounts of Cobalt-60 had

previously been

f rom the roots prior to release.

found in soil onsite, some of the shrubs had the soil removed

Each shrub was hand surveyed before release

and f ound to meet established of f site release criteria. They were transported

first to the licename's shorefront area and later to a dump site on licensee

property. The licenses concluded that the shrubs had boon adequately survsyed

and that no radioactive material had been improperly released.

The

of residentfrom

material inspectors

the site.reviewed the licensee's program for control of release

inspectors during inspection 50-293/ This area was also evaluated by NRC specialist

'

cppropriate um says and release limi .

-19. Both inspections concluded that

have been established and implemented.

-

Rosident and specialist inspectors examined licensee release records for the

dates

properly in question

surveyed. to No verif y that vehicles leaving the protected area had been

discrepancies were identified. NRC resident and

opacialist

comples ofinspectors accompanied by a licensee representative collected f our

above. The the shrubs which had been deposited in the dump site discussed

samples were independently analyzed by the NRC. Three of the ,

ocmples indicated no contamination. One sample indicated only trace levels of

Cobalt -60.

ocmple was about 2% of Measurements showed that the amount of CD-60 present in thi s

uncontrolled areas. the average radioactivity typically found in soil in

The licensee's program f or release of material from the

Appropriate survey techniques and release limits have been established. site appears adequate.

R0 view of records confirmed that the proge:m is being implemented. Samples of

tho shrubs

pone no health collected byety

and saf theconcern.

NRC showed zero or negligible contamination and

considered closed. NRC Region I staff Based on the above this allegation is

tho shrubs to Senator Kennedy's staf f and provided status briefings concerning

Public Health. to the Massachusetts Department of

-_

._- -_ _ _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ . _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _