ML25105A186
| ML25105A186 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | WM-00110 |
| Issue date: | 05/19/2025 |
| From: | Douglas Mandeville NRC/NMSS/DDUWP/URMDB |
| To: | Udovitsch M US Dept of Energy (DOE) |
| References | |
| Download: ML25105A186 (1) | |
Text
Matthew Udovitsch Acting Federal Cleanup Director Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project U.S. Department of Energy 200 Grand Avenue, Suite 500 Grand Junction, CO 81501
SUBJECT:
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION STAFF REVIEW OF VARIANCE REQUEST FOR DEMOLITION DEBRIS PLACEMENT IN CRESCENT JUNCTION DISPOSAL CELL (DOCKET WM00110).
Dear Mr. Udovitsch:
By letter dated August 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) submitted a variance request to both the construction specifications and the remedial action inspection plan for disposal of debris at the Crescent Junction disposal cell. The submittal is available in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under accession number ML24242A318.
As described in its submittal, DOE-EM is seeking the variance to accommodate disposal residual radioactive material (RRM) consisting of:
A total of 31 sets of rails with attached wooden ties; A total of 37 unattached rails; A total of 620 unattached rail ties; Approximately 150 pieces of contaminated equipment that will have no residual value at the end of the project; and Approximately 420 intermodal containers that were used to convey residual radioactive material from Moab to Crescent Junction.
According to DOE-EM, The NRC staff has completed its review of DOE-EMs variance request. In its submittal, DOE-EM has identified and selected alternative approaches to the original specification that aim to minimize the potential for future settlement within the disposal cell. DOE-EMs approaches include: maintaining consistent, parallel orientation of longer pieces of RRM, removal of fluids, dispersed placement to avoid overlapping with previously placed RRM, filling gaps or voids within RRM, size reduction to fit within a 2-ft thick lift, use of standard compaction equipment or hand compaction as necessary, and positioning of RRM to allow for soil placement around items.
May 19, 2025
M. Udovitsch 2
Based on its review of the submittal, the NRC staff recognizes that DOE-EM has proposed several measures to place RRM and to maintain separation between the RRM. These measures facilitate placement of soils around the RRM. The continued use of standard compaction equipment, supplemented by hand compaction, when necessary, will allow for proper compaction of the RRM. Based on its review, the NRC staff concludes that DOE-EMs proposed variance will minimize the potential for differential settlement. Therefore, DOE-EMs approach is acceptable to the NRC staff.
A copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records System component of the NRC's ADAMS. ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (301) 415-0724, or by e-mail at douglas.mandeville@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Douglas Mandeville, Project Manager Uranium Recovery and Materials Decommissioning Branch Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket No.: WM00110 cc: C. Pulskamp (DOE)
Moab Mill ListServ Signed by Mandeville, Douglas on 05/19/25
ML25105A186; Ltr ML25105A186 OFFICE NMSS/DUWP/URMDB NMSS/DUWP
/URMDB NMSS/DUWP/URMDB NAME DMandeville RVonTill DMandeville DATE May 13, 2025 May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025