ML20237K436
| ML20237K436 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/15/1987 |
| From: | Starmer R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Fliegel M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-WM-74, REF-WM-75 NUDOCS 8709040350 | |
| Download: ML20237K436 (3) | |
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WM-74/WM-75/FCAD/87/07/13 JUL 15 B87 WM R:ccrd file W". M:ct _
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Myron H. Fliegel, Section Leader Operations Branch
!M Division of Low-Level Waste Mana#eme'nt h-and Decommissioning, NMSS FROM:
R. John Starmer, Section Leader I6
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Yechnical Branch
'7 Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning, NMSS
SUBJECT:
COMMENTS ON THE FINAL CADSAR FOR THE BELFIELD/B0WMAN, ND UMTRA PROJECT SITES Enclosed please find comments prepared by the Siting Section, LLTB, on the Comparative Analysis of Disposal Site Alternatives Report for the Belfield and Bowman, ND UMTRA Project sites. The staff identified a potential problem with the preferred disposal option - stabilization at the Bowman site - that may or may not have been considered by D0E. Briefly, DOE indicated that the water table exists from 6 - 30 feet below land surface.
However, DOE did not supply a map identifying the distribution of water levels in the vicinity of the disposal area, nor did they state whether below-grade disposal is intended.
The staff are concerned that below-grade disposal would result in interaction of ground water with contaminated material, thus making the design unacceptable.
Thus, we conclude that DOE should be made aware of this potential conflict early-on so that design changes in later phases of remedial action can be avoided.
This review was performed by Jon Forstrom (surface water hydrology), Lynn Deering (ground-water hydrology) and Kristin Westbrook (geology). Please contact Ms. Westbrook at telephone extension X74543 if you have any questions or comments about this review.
Ceiginal Signed By l
R. John Starmer, Section Leader Technical Branch Division of Low-Level Waste Management and Decommissioning, NMSS I
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Enclosure:
As stated cc:
J. Surmeier, LLTB P. Lohaus, LLOB 3
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WM-74/WM-75/FCAD/87/07/13 1-1 i
Site:
Belfield and Bowman, North Dakota Date:
July 10, 1987 Commentor:
NRC Staff / Surface Water Hydrology l
Coment:
fCADSAR SW1 Page:
General i
The CADSAR does not contain topographic maps of the Belfield or Bowman processing / disposal sites. Detailed topographic. maps are required to fully 3
evaluate surface water drainage and geomorphic features of the sites.
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-Subsequent documentation should provide detailed topographic maps of both sites.
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i WM-74/WM-75/FCAD/87/07/13 j
Site:
Belfield and Bowman, North Dakota Date:
July 10, 1987-3 Comentor:
NRC Staff / Ground-Water Hydrology I
Comment:
fCADSAR GW1 Page:
- p. 27, and Tables 3.2 and 7.1 DOE states, in the fCADSAR, that existing ground-water conditions at the preferred disposal site are of concern because the water table is very shallow 1
(6 - 30 ft below ground surface).
In addition, DOE indicates that hydraulic conductivity values in some areas tested at the site are as high as 23 ft/ day, with an average value of 5 ft/ day. The shallow water table and large range of hydraulic conductivity values suggest the presence of a highly transient aquifer system, with the possibility of considerable seasonal variability of hydrologic conditions.
The information in the fCADSAR is insufficient to assess the distribution of l
water table elevations in the vicinity of the Bowman disposal area.
It is also not known if the anticipated embankment design will be above-or below-grade. NRC staff is concerned that below-grade disposal of contaminated l
material may be unacceptable if the water table is shallow beneath the site, due to the possibility that the material will become a long-term source of j
contamination.
If an above grade design has not previously been considered, the volumes and costs of radon barrier and erosion protection materials required may be considerably different from those listed in the fCADSAR for the Bowman site. Therefore, DOE should consider what implications, if any, a shallow water table will have on the design and the cost of the project for the preferred disposal option. NRC staff will carefully review the EA and the RAP to ensure th6t the information provided on ground-water impacts assessment for the proposed remedial action is sufficient to demonstrate adequate protection of existing ground-water resources.
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