ML20217J487
| ML20217J487 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/07/1997 |
| From: | Joseph Holonich NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Cash G WYOMING, STATE OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-3 NUDOCS 9708140296 | |
| Download: ML20217J487 (5) | |
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'o August 7. 1997 Ms. Georgia Cash, District 1 Supervisor Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 122 West 25th Street Cheyenne, WY 82002
SUBJECT:
QUARTERLY NRC/ STATE OF WYOMING MEETING /TELECONFERENCE ON URANIUM RECOVERY LICENSEES
Dear Ms. Cash:
The purpose of this letter is to transmit the enclosed teleconference minutes from the quarterly Nuclear Regulatory Commission / State of Wyoming meeting /teleconference on uranium recovery licensees that was conducted on July 15,1997. The date of the scheduled October teleconference will be finalized between yourself and Robert Tinsley, of my stsff, at a later date. If you have any questions conceming this letter or the enclosure, please contact Mr.
Tinsley at (301) 415-6251.
Sincerely, (original signed by)
Jocuph J. Holonich, Chief Uranium Recovery Branch Division of Waste Management Off,ce of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
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Enclosures:
As stated cc: Rick Chancellor, WDEQ DISTRIBUTION:
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+S TELECONFERENCE RECORD NRC HEADQUARTERS STAFF MEMBERS INVOLVED:
Joe Holonich (NMSS/DWM)
Robert Tinsley (NMSS/DWM)
DATE:
July 15,1997 (3:00 p.m. EDT)
Meeting /Teleconference Location: NRC Headquarters Two White Flint North, Room T7E-47 PERSONe IN CONTACT ORGANIZATIONS TELEPHONE NUMBERS Chuck Cain'-
NRC/DNMS (REG IV)
(817) 860-8186 Georgia Cash WDEQ/ DISTRICT 1 (307) 777-7047 Roberta Hoy WDEQ/DIST6,:CT 1 (307) 77?-7047 Mark Moxley WDEQ/ DISTRICT 2 (307) 332-3047 Glenn Mooney WDEQ/ DISTRICT 3 (307) 672-6488 Carolyn Coolidge WDEO! DISTRICT 3 (307) 672-6488
' participated in meeting via telephone from NRC Region IV offices, Arlington, TX
SUBJECT:
NRC/ STATE OF WYOMING MEET lNGITELECONFERENCE ON URANIUM RECOVERY LICENSEES
SUMMARY
The following narrative provides a summary of the items discussed during the July 15,1997, meeting /teleconference.
- 1) Petrotomics, SHIRLEY BASIN (PM - Mohammad Haque)
The NRC indicated that the ACL application review will be complete this fiscal year and that riprap durability acceptance is also under review. The riprap durability of the Bumett Quarry material was accepted May 14,1997. An NRC inspection was conducted on May 28-29 and was a clear inspection.
- 2) Pathfinder, SHIRLEY BASIN (PM - Mohammad Haque)
The NRC indicated that the reclamation plan is under review and will be complete this fiscal year.-
- The NRC indicated that a routine compliance inspection is scheduled for July 1997.
- 3) Pathfinder, LUCKY MC (PM - Mohammad Haque)
The NRC indicated a meeting between NRC staff and the licensee was held on April 8,1997, to discuss:
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- 1) alternative reclamatir.,n design for the solution ponds area;
- 2) tailings dewatering activities;
- 3) update on Reid Draw characterization and available options;
- 4) proposed extension of the radon barrier and erosion protection over more of the mill ore pad area;
- 5) various aspects of the contaminated soil cleanup program, etc.
WDEQ expressed a concern about removing materials from Reid Draw during wind blown tailings removal. Reid Draw is currently well vegetated and there is a concem that removing the vegetation would destabilize the banks and cause erosion. The NRC indicated that this is a good consideration and that staff would follow up on this comment.
WDEQ also expressed concem about an incident where an NRC required windblown clean-up on adjacent properties had occurred but the licensee failed to obtain permission from the landowner, in this case the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). WDEQ indicated that they would like to see more federal level coordination, perhaps during the environmental assessment phase, to avoid this situation in the future. The NRC indicated that it looks to the licensee to acquire proper authorization before conducting such cleanups.
- 4) Pathfinder, RUTH / NORTH BUTTE (PM - Janet Lambert)
The NRC indicated that an inspection has been scheduled for the week of July 21,1997.
The NRC indicated that it is expecting a re-submittal of an application for the PRI, Gas Hills project. The WDEQ indicated that PRI is getting ready to install baseline wells. An enforcement conference between NRC and the licensee was held on July 22,1997, for possible violations. A copy of the results of this meeting have been forwarded to WDEO. An NRC inspection is scheduled for September 27,1997.
Rio Algom's amendment request to begin commercial operations in Wellfield One has recently been approved by both NRC and WDEQ. NRC's review of the license renewal application will begin when the licensee forwards its proposed Performance Based License. An NRC inspection is scheduled for September 8,1997.
- 7) Union Pacific, BEAR CREEK (PM - Charlotte Abrams)
The NRC approved the request for Altemate Concentration Limits (ACLs) for groundwater for the Bear Creek site on June 30,1997, following publication of NRC's intent to issue the ACL amendment in the Federal Register (Vol. 62, Number 124). The NRC staff filed an Environmental Assessment dated June 23,1997, concluding that there is no significant impact from the licensee's requested action. The NRC indicated staff are completing a review of tailings cover specifications. The NRC indicated an inspection was completed the week of June 16, 1997. That report is not final.
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- 8) Kennecott, SWEETWATER (PM Charlotte Abrams)
The NRC received the first two of seven volumes of information as part of an application for restart of the mill. The seven volume submittalwillinclude a revised impoundment design and reclamation plan. The licensee plans to meet with the NRC on August 19-20,1997, to discuss plans for the restart of the mill. The meeting is open to the public. The NRC staff is completing a review of a request for an amendment to dispose of ISL material from the Crowe Butta Resources site. An NRC inspection was completed the week of July 7,1997. That report is not final
- 9) US Energy Corp., GREEN MOUNTAIN ION EXCHANGE FACILITY (GMIX) (PM - Jim Park)
NRC approved a site decommissioning plan for GMIX on September 4,1996. An NRC inspection conducted the week of July 7,1997 was a clear inspection.
- 10) UMETCO, GAS HILLS (PM - Mohammad Haque)
A groundwater corrective action plan (CAP) amendment request is under rwiew by the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses, the NRC contractor. NRC has recently received a proposed modification to the A 9 and above grade tailings impoundments. An NRC inspection conducted May 14-15 was a clear inspection.
- 11) Exxon, HIGHLANDS (PM - Janet Lambert)
The NRC is expecting a revised ACL application this fiscal year. An NRC inspection is scheduled for August 1997.
- 12) Cogema, IRIGARY and CHRISTENSEN RANCH (PM - Janet Lambert)
An NRC inspection conducted the week of April 28,1997, was a clear inspection. An NRC inspection is scheduled for September 13,1997.
- 13) Western Nuclear, SPLIT ROCK (PM - Bob Carlson)
On April 3,1996, the NRC received an amendment request to revise surface reclamation design, increasing disposal cell capacity and an amendment request to alter the radiological verification program. WNI's responses to open issues sre currently under review by the CNWRA. On Apnl 28,1997, WNI informed NRC of a violation of the 10 mrem constraint rule, attributed to disturbaaces during surface reclamation The report is under staff review. On May 14,1997, NRC approved an amendment request for an interim reduction in groundwater CAP pumping to 6-15 mgallyr. The 1997 surety update is currently under NRC review WDEO asked if offsite windblown tailings are included in the surety. The NRC indicated that cleanup of offsite windblown tailings is included in the surety. An NRC inspection conducted May 13-14,1997, was a clear inspection.
- 14) ANC, GAS HILLS (PM - Ken Hooks)
WDEQ indicated that they would be submitting a report on radon flux testing of pile #2,
- conducted June 21,1997. WDEQ indicated they would be submitting to NRC a revised windblown cleanup plan. This is essentially another revision to Chapter 7 in the final reclamation plan. WDEQ owes the NRC a letter stating when it will have someone in place to assume ANC's environmentel monitoring tasks, so the NRC can modify ANC's license to remove these tasks.
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The NRC indicated it owes WDEQ written comments on the final reclamation plan for pond #2.
All of the comments (mainly Ted Johnson's and Elaine Brummett's) have been discussed with WDEQ or its contractors by telephone or in meetings. Finally, an NRC inspection was scheduled for July 28,1997.
EFN was cited on May 8,1997, for a Severity Level IV violation for having decreased its surety without NRC approval. NRC accepted the inctaase in the bond amount from $138,232.00 to
$142,890.00 on June 30,1997. EFN emerged from bankruptcy under new ownership (International Uranium USA) Corporation [lUSA]) on May 10,1997. On May 22,1997, IUSA indicated that it intends to resume in-situ mining licensing activities later this year - perhaps by early Fall and hopes to obtain its license in late 1997-early 1998. An NRC inspection was conducted the week of June 16,1997. That report is not final.
- 16) UPCOMING LQD APPLICATIONS (WDEQ)
The WDEQ indicated that they are aware of two upcoming applications: Ruby Ranch in District 3 and Leuenberger Ranch in District 1.
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NEXT NRC/WDEQ TELECONFERENCE The next quarterly teleconference is tentatively scheduled for October,1997. Robert Tinsley, NRC, will coordinate the final date of the next teleconference with Georgia Cash, WDEQ. He can be reached by telephone (301) 415-6251 or by e-mail jrt1@nrc. gov.
TELEPHONE CONVERSATION / MEETING OF JULY 15.1997. DOCUMENTED BY J. ROBERT TINSLEY J
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