ML20199D015
| ML20199D015 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/17/1997 |
| From: | Joseph Holonich NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Ratliff R TEXAS, STATE OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-65 NUDOCS 9711200225 | |
| Download: ML20199D015 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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Novernber 17, 1997 Mr. Richard Ratliff, P. E.
Chief, Bureau of Radiation Control Texas Department of H%Ith 1100 W. 49th Street Austin, Texas 78756
SUBJECT:
FALLS CITY UMTRA SITE
Dear Mr. Ratliff:
Your letter of September 18,1997, to Mr. Richard Bangart has been forwarded to this office for response. Your iciter also included a letier from Geoffrey S. Connor, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC), dated Geptember 5,1997, wherein TNRCC expres:ed concems that the Falls City Title I disposal cell was not being properly maintained. Mr. Connor indicated that vegetation is growing in the riprap un the sides of the cell and that the vegetative cover on the top of the cell has not been maintained to prevent root penetration.
The Falls City Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) disposal cell was recently l
licensed by the NRC on July 8,1997. Up to thot time, NRC's responsibility was to approve the remedial actions proposed by DOE and to assure that the site was properly constructed according to approved plans and specifications. Following approval of the construction, the NRC approved DOE's Long-Term Surveillance and Mairdenance Plan (LTSP), that assures that proper inspections and maintenance measures are undertaken.
A formslinspection of the site has not been accomplished since the time that the site was licensed by the NRC. However, DOE has performed annualinspectic,ns at the site and has provided the results of its most recent (January 9,1997) inspection in a report entitled "1997 Annual Prelicensing Inspectien of the Falls City, Texas, UMTRA Title i Disposal Cite." A copy of that report is attached for your information.
With respect to the sr eific points raised in the TNRCC letter DOE addresses those issues in the 1997 Prelicensing Report. On the first issue regarding trees in the side slope riprap, DOE states that the small amount of trees that appeared in the side slope riprap were cut down during the week of January 20,1997 and that inspectors will be prepared to cut down trees as they appear (see Page 3 of the attached report). On the second issue regarding root penetrati0n into the top of the cell, DOE states that "There was no evidence of trees anywhere on top of the disposal cel!. It is believed, therefore, that grass cutting is an effective control."
The issues that were raised by TNRCC will be given carefu! attention in the future. The
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will be reviewed, periodic site visits will be made, and staff will assess the effectiveness of the entire inspection and maintenance program. Any changes or specific maintenar:ce actions that are needed will be carried out in a timely manner.
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(t.1 Ratliff 2-If you have any questions, please cor; tact me at (301) 415-7238 or contact Ted Johnson, the NRC Project Manager at (301) 415-6658.
Sincerely, (Original signed by)
Joseph J. Holonich, Chief Uranium Recovery Branch Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: R. Bangart G. Connor, TNRCC QISTRIBUTION: ; JElLE CENTER $
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