ML20236Q931
| ML20236Q931 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/30/1987 |
| From: | Hawkins E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Snell W TEXAS, STATE OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-43 NUDOCS 8711200366 | |
| Download: ML20236Q931 (2) | |
Text
.a DISTRIBUTION Docket. File WM-43 PDR/DCSl WM-43/GRK/87/10/29/0 DBangart, RIV GKonwinski
~l-DLacker, RCPD, TX-LLW Branch, WMLU URF0 r/f OCT 301.987 URF0:GRK Docket No. WM-43 0400WM043130E Warren D. Snell, Chief Uranium and Nuclear Waste Management Program Division of Licensing, Registration and Standards Bureau of Radiation Control 1100 West 49th Street Austin, Texas 78756-3189
Dear Mr. Snell:
Our office is in receipt of your October 8,1987 correspondence transmitting a partial copy of'the Caithness Mining Corporation reclamation plan.
Due to.the plan being divided into three sections, our comments will be directed at each of these areas.
Surface Irrigation Site Our experience at in situ sites has indicated that surface water disposal sites always have elevated levels of radium-226 in the soil.
Because these residues represent byproduct materials, any soil with radium concentrations found to be 5 pCi/g above background in the first'5 cm must be removed and deposited in an approved disposal area.
In this respect, the licensee should be prepared to justify their background radium-226 concentrations.
Please also note that only soil radium concentrations may be utilized as justification for release to unrestricted use.
It appears from-the l
reclamation plan that the licensee intends to utilize gamma surveys as well as radium analysis.
Well Field It is our practice to allow well abandonment consistent with appropriate State standards.
The gridded radiometric soil survey, as presented in 8711200366 B71030 1
0FC.
~~~'---~~~~-~~~~-~~~~~~----:--~~~~~~~~~
NAME :
DATE :87/10/29
WM-43/GRK/87/10/29/0 DCT 301987
_2 the reclamation plan, may be utilized to determine soil radium concentrations.
Please note that all contaminated soils must be excavated or disposed of in a licensed site.
No cultivation or soil mixing of any type is permitted under the regulations.
Plant Area It is our understanding that the caliche pad, an unutilized process pond, as well as some structures, will be turned over the land owner.
In this respect, all earthen structures will need verification of soil radium levels.
Other structures, such as buildings, will need verification of alpha contamination levels consistent with unrestricted release limits.
These comments are directed to areas where we think some care should be exercised by the licensee, as you have already noted in some of our previous discussions.
In summary, we have every confidence that the Bureau of Radiation Control will maintain sufficient control over the licensee to assure that appropriate release standards are met.
Should you have any questions concerning this correspondence, please contact Gary Konwinski of my staff at (303) 236-2819.
Sincerely, M
Edward F. Hawkins, Chief Licensing Branch 1 Uranium Recovery Field Office Region IV cc:
Robert J. Doda, Region IV Case Closed:
0400WM043130E l
0FC :
URF0 Q U
NAME$
k _ _.___EHawkins
_ _ _ _ _.G,K _ m__s_k_i /_l DATE :87/10/29
- pg
-