ML20199A982
| ML20199A982 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/16/1998 |
| From: | Joseph Holonich NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Plieness R ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-62 NUDOCS 9801280139 | |
| Download: ML20199A982 (2) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
- t WASHINGTON, D.C. 20566 4001 January 16, 1998 Mr. Ray Plieness U.S. Depaltnent of Energy l
Grand Junction Office P.O..Rox 2567 Grand Junction, CO 81502-2567
SUBJECT:
NRC COMMENTS ON THE RIFLE, COLORADO UMTRA PROJECT SITE OBSERVATIONAL WORK PLAN
Dear Mr. Plieness:
e The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has reviewed the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) April 1996 Site Observational Work Plan (SOWP) for the groundwater remedial action at the two Rifle, Colorado Urantm Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project processing sites. The staff review focused on the propo?ed ground water cleanup strategy for demonstrating compliance with 40 CFR 192, anc. the existing and proposed technical information presented to support this strategy. This review is not a coricurring action for the groundwater cleanup activities at the Rifle sites, but is providing technical suggestions on the data collection activities that are proposed.
Compliance Strategy in the SOWP, DOE has not proposed a single compliance strategy for the two Rifle sites, but indiertes that compliance may possibly ba attained by no remedial action or by using natural flushing and institutional controls under 40 CFR 192.12(c)(2)(i). The SOWP indicates that additional data are required before a compliance strategy can be determined for these sites.
Seven technical areas were identified by DOE as requiring additional data to support a no X
remediation compliance strategy; and nine technical areas require additional data to support a natural flushing / institutional control strategy. At this time, the NRC staff has no technical objection to utilizing the compliance strategies described for the Rifle site in the SOWP. The following recommendation is provided for DOE's consideration in developing additional data for the sites.
Technical Recommendation j
1.
Discussion: The SOWP conducted for the Rifle sites identifies a potential ecological risk associated with contaminated sediments in the Old Rifle Pond, down gradient from the f3 Old Rife Site. The Baseline Risk Assessment for the sites also identifies potential health Ng4 hazards from swimming and consuming fish taken from the pond. DOE has identified additional data needs (surface water, sediment and biota sampling) for the Old Rifle
@/'7 Pond for determining potential ecological and health risk, and the ground-water cleanup compliance strategy for the sites.
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2 Recommendation: Until the ecological and human health risks at the Old Rifle Pond can be determined, DOE should work with the appropriate local authority and diligently pursue restricting recreational activities (swimming and fishing) at the Old Rifle Pond, if you have any questions concoming this letter, please contact the NRC Project Manager, Janet Lambert, at (301) 415-6710.
Sincerely, Original Signed By Joseph J. Holonich, Chief Uranium Recovery Branch Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety i
l and Safeguards cc: S. Arp [ DOE PM), DOE Alb F. Bosiljevac, DOE Alb D. Metzler, DOE GRJ j
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