ML20246J163
| ML20246J163 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/11/1989 |
| From: | Hawkins E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Matthews M ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| References | |
| REF-WM-63 NUDOCS 8905170006 | |
| Download: ML20246J163 (3) | |
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REGION IV URANIUM RECOVERY FIELD OFFICE B O x 25325 I-DENVER, COLORADO 80225 APR I I 1989 URF0:SRG Docket No. WM-63 Mark Matthews, Acting Project Manager Uranium Mill Tai 1_ings Project Office U.S. Department of Energy Albuquerque Operations Office P.O. Box 5400 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87115
Dear Mr. Matthews:
On an April 6,1989 site visit to the Mexican Hat, Utah UMTRA project, our staff learned that approximately 200,000 gallons per day of construction water was being added to the tailings to control windblown material and to aid emplacement. Because of the problems caused by the saturation of the Durango.
i tailings at Bodo Canyon, we are concerned of the potential.for a similar-situation developing at Mexican Hat.
If induced saturation of'the Mexican j
Hat / Monument Valley tailings results in seepage into the perched ground water i
below and adjacent to the tailings, then reclassification of the perched ground water of the Halgaito Shale would be considered.
As discussed below, this perched' water is not presently considered an aquifer.
There is the additional problem that excess water introduced into the tailings could result in unacceptable differential settlement of the pile.
l As a result of a review of site data and the April 6, 1989 site visit, the NRC staff has concluded that the perched ground water of the upper Halgaito Shale i
is not an " aquifer" and therefore not a portion of the Uppermost Aquifer.
The basis of this conclusion is that the perched ground water was created by the Mexican Hat uranium recovery operations, and there is no evidence to suggest (1) interconnection to a natural aquifer, (2) capability of discharge to surface water, or (3) accessibility beyond the site boundary.
However, be advised that if evidence of increased seepage is occurring due to addition of construction water, the perched ground water might be included as part of the Uppermost Aquifer.
To allow us to assess this possibility, please provide for review a water budget / balance that takes into consideration the 200,000 gallons per day water application, infiltration into the tailings, and seepage potential.
The requested water budget should also take into consideration both the wet / dry and low /high evaporation seasons.
Please provide the water budget / balance to this office by May 5, 1989.
OFG 1
I 8905170006 890421 PDR WASTE WM-63 PDC t
2 APR I i 1989 At this time, we are requesting that you propose background and point of compliance well locations for the Honaker Trail Formation, the Uppermcst Aquifer.
If you have any questions, please contact either myself or Scott Grace of my staff at FTS 776-2805.
Sincerely,
.& (.b1AtY d L-EdwardF.HawktnskBranc C
Uranium Recovery Field Office Region IV cc:
D. Mann, 00E D. Leske, DOE K. Agogino, TAC Director DNR, Navajo Nation M. Foley, Navajo Nation l
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