ML20205B205
| ML20205B205 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/24/1985 |
| From: | Knapp M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Higginbotham L NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20205B203 | List: |
| References | |
| REF-WM-39 NUDOCS 8509110021 | |
| Download: ML20205B205 (2) | |
Text
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[pws: jo UNITED STATES g
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION L
E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 0
kl24 m MEMORANDUM FOR:
Leo B. Higginbotham, Chief, WMLU' g
Division of Waste Management- ]
FROM:
Malcolm R. Knapp, Chief, WMGT Division of Waste Management
SUBJECT:
C0ORDINATING UMTRA SITE CHARACTERIZATION PROGRAMS The attached news release about Ambrosia Lake indicates an apparent lack of coordination of DOE's site characterization programs.
Since DOE is soliciting ideas on how to streamline the UMTRA Project to meet its statutory deadline, it may be appropriate for NRC to suggest that 00E consider coordinating site characterization activities to reduce costs and time delays.
These reductions would be realized by reducing the total number of boreholes and drilling contractors.
As you are aware, DOE typically characterizes UMTRAP sites in support of remedial action planning and implementation, including geotechnical characterization for stability assessments and designs, borrow source material characterization, radiological characterization for estimating volumes of contaminated materials, and hydrogeologic characterization for identifying existing contamination and selecting appropriate remedial actions. As an example of these programs, the Ambrosia Lake news release details the drilling of almost 500 boreholes in addition to test pits on and around the tailings pile apparently without any coordination between the radiological, geotechnical, and hydrogeological characterization programs.
Although such coordination may require modifications to DOE's contractual relationship with its sub-contractors and increased subcontractor communication, there do not appear to be any substantive reasons why the characterization programs should not be coordinated.
For example, shallow radiological boreholes could be drilled slightly deeper to provide necessary geotechnical 1nformation and then comoleted as groundwater monitoring wells.
The coordination could save time and money by reducing the number of boreholes, the number of drilling contractors, and the mobilization. costs of drilling equipment.
In addition, such coordination could promote communication between sub-contractors and, thus, improve the consistency of DOE's assessments.
l 8509110021 850909 PDR WASTE PDR l
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After.you have evaluated this suggestion for increased coordination of DOE's characterization programs, I suggest that you consider forwarding it to DOE.
Please contact Mike Weber if you have questions about our suggestion or would like to arrange a meeting to discuss it.
Malcolm R. Kna fef, WMGT Division of Waste Management
Enclosure:
As Stated i
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