ML20249B878
| ML20249B878 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/01/1976 |
| From: | Roy G, Thompson D, Warnick R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-76-179, NUDOCS 9806240374 | |
| Download: ML20249B878 (2) | |
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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION November 1, 1976 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE-PNO-76-179 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of an event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.
E-Facility: Non-licensee - State of Michigan S_> ject:
ALLEGED DUMPING OF RADI0 ACTIVITY IN LAKE SUPERIOR Mr. Kirk Cheyfitz, Detroit Free Press, advised Region III on October 30, 1976, that the. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had obtained information regarding an alleged dumping of radioactive materials in Lake Superior'during the period 1959-1962 and had written a letter to Dr. Seamans, ERDA, requesting an explana-tion and evaluation of the matter. The DNR learned of the matter through a Marquette, Michigan, Women's Club. At a meeting sponsored by the Women's Club, a retired tugboat Captain reportedly alleged' dumping a number of 55 gallon drums marked as containing radioactive waste on at least four occasions under the direction of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Cheyfitz stated he would be writing a story on this and wanted to know whether the NRC knew anything about this matter.
Last May Region III had received an inquiry concerning the possible dumping of radioactive waste in Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota during the same time frame. Telephone inquiries with the Corps of Engineers confirmed the dumping of several 55 gallon drums; however, j
the material was stated to be of a classified nature, but not one i
containing radioactive or toxic materials. The Corps of Engineers told Region III at that time that this rumor had repeated itself periodically and provided Region III with a letter they had sent to Congressman Ruppe (Michigan) in 1975 in response to a similar inquiry.
Based on this, and-telephone calls with a-local Duluth-fisherman who had seen the 55 gallon drums and did not recall seeing any precautionary markings, Region III did not pursue the matter further.
Mr. Cheyfitz was informed of this earlier inquiry (pnd the subsequent information obtained.
RegioS III plans to contact the retired tugboat Captain and will initiate an investigation if warranted.
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Continued PNO-76-179 Page 2 November 1, 1976 This Preliminary Notification is prepared because of the State of l
Michigan's request to ERDA and the possible public interest that is l
likely to result from news media stories.
Region III was informed of this matter at 5:00 p.m. on October 30, 1976.
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Contact:
RFWarnick, IE x27261 GWRoy, IE x27261 DThompson, IE x27541 Distribatinn:
Chairman Rowden Commissioner Mason S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Gilinsky C. C. Kammerer, CA G. F. Murphy, JCAE Commissioner Kennedy L. V. Gossick, EDO E. Volgenau, OIE J. A. Harris, PA B. C. Rusche, NRR H. K. Shapar, ELD T. J. McTiernan, AIA K. R. Chapman, NMSS R. G. Ryan, OSP Transmitted: PBidg
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- MNBB Luge PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION
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