ML20199H726
| ML20199H726 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/02/1998 |
| From: | Joseph Holonich NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Edge R ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-43 NUDOCS 9802050108 | |
| Download: ML20199H726 (4) | |
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. j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 8
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,o February 02, 1998 U.S. Department of Energy ATTP Mr. Russel Edge, Project Manager Grs 4 Junction Project Office P.O. Box 2567 2597 B 3/4 Road Grand Junction, Colorado 81502
SUBJECT:
REVIEW OF LOWMAN ANNUAL INSPECTION REPORT
Dear Mr. Edge:
The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has reviewed the 1997 annualinspection report for the Lowman, Idaho Title I site, submitted by the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE). In the report, DOE noted that several problems continue to cccur at the site, including r.; ion and biointrusion.
Erosion and biointrusion problems have existed at the Lowman site for some time. On several occasions, NRC staff and its contractors have observed the site and independently assessed conditions there. Site vis'ts were conducted on November 7,1996, and May 13,1997, to observe reported problems.
In a letter to J. Virgona dated March 13,1997, the staff noted that erosion problems exist in the immediate vicinity of the disposal cell and transmi+ted several recommendations for remediating the problems, including the recommendations of the NRC contractors. The staff agreed with DOE's concern that sloughing and erosion along the toe and sides of the cell could progress and possibly become a major problem.
The staff and NRC contractors from Colorado State University (CSU) accompanied DOE during the May 13,1997, inspection. In addition to erosion specialists, a vegetation expert from CSU was present to observe the biointrusion problem and the inability of vegetation to prevent erosion near the disposal cell. In a June 1997 report, CSU provided recommendations and suggestions for improving the performance of the Lowman disposal cell. A copy of the CSU report is enclosed for your information.
Based on the information provided by DOE ond the recommendations of NRC contractors, the NRC staff agrees that DOE should further evaluate the erosion problems at Lowman and the potential for the problems to affect the stability of the disposal cell. Although the staff ogrees with DOE that there is no immediate threat to the stability of the contaminated material, the site problems have existed for some time and should be re-evaluated in a timely manner. DOE should develop a plan to resolve the problems such that the site will not require further significant annual maintenance and repair. The staff requests that this evaluation and proposed mitigation measures be provided for NRC staff review as soon as possible. In addition, DOE measures. In developing its plan, DOE may consider the recommendations made in should provide a proposed schedele for submitting the plan and constructing the mitigation i
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,1 report, alth~ough those recomrnendations should not be construed as requirements of the NRC g staff / The NRC staffs role is review and approval of recommendations and evaluations that are
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jg 9 ff you have any questions or comments, please contact Ted Johnson of my staff. He may be H ;
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Joseph J. Holonich, Chief a-Uranium Recovery Branch Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety
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Enclosure:
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1 SITE VISIT OBSERVATIONS i
OF TIIE LOM3 FAN, IDAIIO URANIUM TAILINGS DISPOSAL CELL t
Submitted to:
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NMSS i
Washington, DC 20555 l
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e Prepared by:
Dr. Steven R. Abt Department of Civil Engineering and Dr. Charles D. Bonham Department of Range Ecosystem Science 1
l Colorado State University
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Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 l
l June 1997 i.
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