ML20216F367
| ML20216F367 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/09/1977 |
| From: | Bishop W NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20216B357 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-87-235 NUDOCS 8706300854 | |
| Download: ML20216F367 (3) | |
Text
__
(
- i.,
' '. s u:n t'
O, UNITED STATES
}
g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
(.4, # g j
WASHING TON, D.
C. 20555
\\;.Y..../
t@l i D77
~
MEMORANDUM TO THE FILES
' FROM:
William P. Bishop Assistant Director for Waste Management, NMSS
SUBJECT:
MEETING OF XENTUCKY OFFICIALS WITH CHAIRMAN HENDRIE ON THE SUBJECT OF MAXEY FLATS 4
Mr. Russell McClure, Secretary of the Executive Department for Finance and Administration of the State of Kentucky, had requested the meeting with Chairman Hendrie on an urgent basis.
Except for expressing the generic subject of Maxey Flats, McClure had given little clue as to the agenda for the meeting.
The agenda was, in principle, quite simple, and comprised the following:
1.
The State of Kentucky and NECO have agreed to an administrative closir.g of the Maxey Flats site scheduled for December 1 (December 1
'date was new information to'us).
2.
The State had proposed some research work at the site to NRC for funding.
3.
Though aware that the NRC staff was favorably inclined toward perts of the proposal, the State wished a more firm commitment.
4.
The urgent item of business was extracting a firm commitment from l
NRC which could be noted in an announcement, of the closing of the site.
Chairman Hendrie noted that indead we were committed to working with Kentucky, but requested that any annoucement of such a commitment be couched in terms of environmental research to be done using that site.
in. subsequent conversations after the Chairman's departure from the meeting, we of the staff reconfirmed this intention and made the next 6
- ' 4 8706300854 870625.
~
l. Z..:
I
.w
\\
Files 2-i steps towards a revised official proposal from the State of Kentuck
~
Kentuck', in turn, agreed to alert us (Wayne Kerr, State Programs) y.
y any language which might be used to describe the NRC commitments in of announcement of the site closing.
A list of participants in the meeting is attached.
e; William P. Bishop, Assistant Director for Waste Management Division of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Attachment:
Attendees List cc: NRC Attendees as listed E
S 9
1 i
i m,,,
. -,,,, __ __ w,g-,
m=i. a -r,r. s -
....- a
1
,, l*,
~
ATTENDEES LIST NRC Chairman Hendrie William P.' Bishop, WM, NMSS Paul H. Lohaus, LLWB, NMSS Frank Swanberg, HERB, RES G. Wayne Kerr, SP Jane Mapes, OELD Kentucky Russell McClure, Secretary, Finance & Administration Gyles Sutton, Dept. F&A Charles Whiteliffe, Dept. F&A (Attorney)
Chuck Hardin, Dept. Human Resources, Health Service Gene Samuel, Dames & Moore Bob Berlin, Davis & Moore e
9 e
on.
?. '
/
l2*:.,
- e p
~
'h j(
8,
^
THE SEC A CTA A ( FCC HUMAN RESOURCES
?
CO M M O N W C A.*= OF M C N T(j C K f y
rmANKFOpf 406CI I I i
June 15, 1977
)
i l'
I
\\
The lionorable Marcus A. Rowden Chaiman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
Dear Chaiman Rowden:
As you know, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has embarked upon a program to resolve the questions that have been raised with regard j
to the long tem viability and safety of the radioactive waste burial operations at Maxey Flats. Through programs that have been conducted to date, significant progress has been made in detemining the current status of the burial site, and in defining those program elements that ne'ed be accomplished to pemit detemination of future remedial actions or improvements that need to be taken.
We have attempted to keep you abreast of our activities through periodic correspondence, and most recently at the meeting in Bethesda, in May.
t We believe that much of the program of investigations and analyses that we have developed for the Maxey Flats site, while serving to provide the Commonwealth with the required data on the status of this site, will also provide significant information generally applicable to all low-level waste burial sites.
As such, these programs can therefore contribute to the development of criteria and standards by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the operation of the existing sites and selection of future burial sites.
The program we are planning to perfom has as its primary objectives, relative to the site, the detemination of:
a) the water balance of the site-the throughput of water in each distinct mode such as the flow on the surface, through the interflow region (the top layers of weathered till), and through subsurface routes.
b) the radioactive mass balance of the site-the quantity of radiocontaminants leaving the restricted area through each of the postulated transport routes.
c) the geologic confinement capability of the site-the sorption and retardation capability of the subsurface route, stream sediments, etc.
Y*
QN 0 <-
f*
3-7
%c lionorabic ?ktreus' A. Rowden Page 2 9
June 15, 19~7 I
generally applicable data for use by the NRC
. also provide criteria. for:
opment of
- operation of a burial ground
. - design and' location of waste burial trenches
- decommissioning of a burial ground -
- monitoring-(Maxey Flats is 'perhaps, uniquely suited for this purpose since almost all the potential l
radionuclide transport routes likely to be encountered at any burial site are postulated to exist at this sit )
- l' believe that the Comnission should participate in e
program.
h'e have outlined,.in sone r m, we latter, those components of the prog. detail, in the attachment to. thise suppo as to the cost of performing this work. support and their e
our estimate significance to the development ~of an in-deh'e consid e attach;nent to be of status of the site. Certain tasks, however,pth understanding of the j
to timing of their initiation.
could receive priority as
.{
by the order that the tasks -are presented This priority is in general, identified initiation described first.
, with those requiring e.arliest
[
formance of the proposed investigative programWe s
mmission in the per-let us know if there is any additional infomati at Maxey Flats.
Please clarify the task descriptions.
on we might provide to Sincerely, j.
Peter D. Conn, Secretary Department 'for Iluman Resources I'
)
/
f
{...
- RusseTIllcClure,(" f* ' 'Os ~?f
,q-Executive Department forSecretary Finance and A6ninistration,
+
. (.
y t
b 1
-a
PROPOSED INVESTIGATIVE PROGRAM AT MAXEY FLATS RADIOACTIVE kASTE BURIAL SITE Task 1: Surface Stream h :itoring i
1 The objectives of this task will be the detemination of 1) the
{
total radiocontaminants having the site via each of the surface streams in both dissolved and suspended forms; 2) flow rates and sedi-
{
ment loads in the streams; 3) the sorption capability of sediments'.
,N This data will contribute to the development of material balances for the. site and more generally, for other burial sites. Generic informa-tior. on long tem erosion wi1} also be available.
It is of direct relevance to the formulation' of decommissioning criteria, operational criteria for control of surface waters, monitoring criteria, and geo-logic confinement capability criteria. To accomplish these objectives the following will be performed:
a) Four continuous operation proportional sampling stations are to be located on Rock Lick Creek. Two of them are to be located before and after the confluence of the stream draining Drip Springs Hollow, and two of them before and after the confluence of the stream draining No-Name Hollow. Volume weighted composite samples are to be analyzed for suspended and dissolved radionuclide content and sediment load on a monthly basis.. Flow rates will also be detemined.
Estimated Cos.t -
$48,000 b) Composite streambed sediments at six locations will be analyzed for sediment chemistry, particle size analysis, radionuclide content and distribution coefficients seasonally. Two of the
} ':
samples are to be taken on the streams draining Drip Springs Hollow and No-Name Hollow near their confluence with Rock Lick Creek.
The other four are to be taken on Rock Lick Creek nearby the proportional sampling stadas.
j Estimated Cost -
$11,000
)
Task 2: Surface Runoff h'ater and Interflow Monitoring The objectives of this task will be the detemination of 1) the radiocontaminants leaving the restricted area via the three main washes
)
in dissolved and suspended fom; 2) flow rates and sediment loads; 3)
I sorption capability of sediments; and 4) the significance, if any, of the interflow (near surface) and subsurface flow components.
l This infomation taken with the data from Task 1 will also be generally useful in contributing to the development of decommissioning criteria, operational criteria for control of surface runoff, monitor-ing criteria and geolcgic confinement capability criteria. To accomplish these objectives the following will be performed:
1
a) Three gauging stations are to be located on the Main East Wash, The Main West Wash and the southern drainage slopes to Rock Lick Creek in the unrestricted area and as close to the restricted areas as possible.
These stations are to monitor the flow rates and sediment load.of runoff water. Composite water samples (volume weighted if possible) will be analyzed for suspended and dissolved radionuclide content monthly during the rainy season and as frequently as feasible (season-ally) at other times.
' Estimated Cost -
$19,000 b) Springs (or seeps) on the three main slopes bounding the site, if any, are to be isolated and sampled along the same basis as above.
Estimated Cost -
$18,000 c) Composite sediment samples from the beds of the washes are to be obtained near the gauging stations once during the rainy season and once during the dry season and analyzed for sediment chemistry, particle size analysis, radionuclide content, and -
distribution coefficients.
Estimated Cost -
$ 6,000 d) Since radiochemical analyses of acceptable sensitivity require considerable mass (250 g-1Kg), field filtering of suspended particulates will be required. Ten samples will be collected during the wet season and analyzed for radionuclides.
Estimated Cost -
$ 7,000 Task 3: Atmospheric Studies The objecti.TS of this task will be to determine 1) the magnitude of the atmospheric component of radionuclides leaving the restricted area; 2) the extent of their diffusion; and 3) the precise extent to which the evaporator contributes to the atmospheric route. This type of data will contribute to the determination of operational criteria on water accumulated in the trenches and viability of evaporation as a methodology to handle the water accumulation problem.
It will be applicable to this site and to other sites of similar meterologic and hydrogeologic conditions. To accomplish these objectives the follow-ing will be performed:
a) Samples will be obtained bi-monthly from the current NECO l
airborne monitoring program at 8 locations and will be analyzed for specific radionuclides.
I Estimated Cost -
$18,000 j
7.
/
ilt a
b)
Evaporator effluent will be monitored and comprs.te scunples obtained will be analyzed for specific radio-nuclides on a monthly basis.
1 Estimated Cost -
$14,000
\\t c)
Four rainwater monitoring stations will be estab.'4shed, one in the restricted area, one at the residence if the limiting receptor, one near the southern boundary of the restricted area and one outside the hydrologic boundary.
of the site to detemine radionuclide content of rain-water. Composite samples will be analyzed,on a monthly basis during rainy season and less frequently (seasonal) other times.
Estimated Cost -
$ 5,000 Task 4: Evaluation of Alternatives to the Current Water Man >3ecent Program 4
The objectives of this task will be. to 1) define the alternatives approaches on the basis of feasi(o5.lity, and comparative environm
\\andeconomiccostsandbenefits. Thr+ goal will be to obtain as low as
< reasonably achievable releases.
This data will also contribute, on a 5 generjc basis, to the devempment of criteria for the design of burial
( trenches, operation of the site, and decomissioning.
4
.The work will involve a comparative engineering study of the alternatives performed as an office malysis, a
Estimated Cost -
$23,000
/
Task 5:_ Burial Trench Studies The objectives of this task will be 1) a determination of the trench leachate source term and its possible interaction with the unsaturated zone; 2) analysis of stabilization and capping methodology; and 3) definition of specific techniques to eliminate the water accumulation problem.
This data will contribute to the development of criteria on trench stabilization and capping, operational criteria pertaining to
+s trench design and construction, and the leachate source tems which can be apphed to other burial sites. To accomplish these objectives the following will be perfomed:
a)
Approximately 20 locations, with about half over the burial trenches, will be chosen for a study of the existing condi-t tions in the surface soil pertaining to density, porosity,
{
Tinfiltration rates, and compaction.
" Undisturbed" samples I
will be obtained to detemine pemeabilities and effective porosities.
k
m
- f
- p
'p3
^k
)
b) Trench leachate chemistry and suspended and dissolved radionu-clide centent will be determined for all the trenches for which the required samples can be obtained.
(This study supplements the present BNL work on the leachate.)
Estimated Cost -
$14,000 c) Gas generation within the trenches, will be investigated.,
Four likely trenches will be chosen for this study and gaseous effluents from these, if any, will be determined.
. s.
Estimated Cost -
$14,000
. v,.."
[b, d) Three infiltrometers and an evaporation pan will be installed over the trench area. They will be used to detemine infiltra-
~
tion and evaporation rates.
1 Estimated Cost -
$ 7,000 Task 6: Determination of Perpetual Care and Maintenance 4
3 Requirements i
The objectives of this task will be to 1) evaluate the long term (after site operations have ceased) requirements for site maintenance, monitoring, and control of radioactive waste, 2) detemine, from these i
s requirements, the cost of perpetual care and maintenance.
i This data will assist in providing a basis for determining re-
-j quirements for perpetual care and maintenance at other burial sites and thus aid-in the development of criteria for decommissioning and in j
maintenance of the site.
The work will utilize data accumulated in other phases of the work and will be performed as m office engineering analyses.
Estimated Cost -
$23,000 t
Task 7: Subsurface Study The objectives of this task will be the determination of 1) hydro-
)
geological parameters of the unsaturated zone; 2) time behavior of the vertical moisture content profile; and 3) the subsurface component of migration, if any.
This will contribute to development of criteria on subsurface monitoring and subsurface flow components, and criteria on design and location of trenches (depending on if the trenches are found to inter-act with the subsurface monitoring stations). To accomplish these objectives the following will be performed:
d tu
.A.
'l *
't s
L
- 3..
't a) 'A total of about 1,000 feet in approximately:10 wells will be 1
i drilled *, with appropriate decontamination and cross contamina-tion prevention measures. This will permit obtainin L samples for hydrogeologic parameter deteminations, g undisturbed to establish subsurface monitoring stations, as well as to establish the reliability of previous subsurface monitoring. -The new wells-are to be established in the unrestricted area as close to the-restricted area as possible and nearby those E-series wells 4
which have exhibited anamolous results.
Estimated Cost -
$57,000 b) Subsurface water sampling will be done at the newly established wells, as well as some of the older wells, to detemine radio-
~
nuclide content of supended fraction and the dissolved portion
-of the' subsurface water. About 15 stations will be sampled seasonally..
a 4
Estimated Cost -
- $18,'000 c) A soil moisture profile study in the unsaturated ::one will.be perfomed to determine the nature of fluid flow above the-water table. P Uchrometer and transducer emplacement in back.
filled borehole such as those employed at Hanford, neutron moisture probi g'. techniques or other acceptable investigative procedures wi.1 be employed.
Estimated Cost -
$30,000 Contingent upon results of current USGS drilling program.
eum
/
4 pi,
t t
+
.C.
- -