ML25238A081
| ML25238A081 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | WM-00110 |
| Issue date: | 09/17/2025 |
| From: | Vontill B NRC/NMSS/DDUWP/URMDB |
| To: | Udovitsch M US Dept of Energy, Grand Junction Office |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25238A078 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25238A081 (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 CONCURRENCE IN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYS REVISION 3 TO THE REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE MOAB, UTAH MILL TAILINGS SITE (DOCKET WM00110)
Dear Mr. Udovitsch:
On July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) submitted a revision to the Remedial Action Plan and Site Design for Stabilization of Moab Title I Uranium Mill Tailings at the Crescent Junction, Utah, Disposal Site1. In its submittal, DOE-EM is seeking to change the cross section of the final cover system on the top slope of the disposal cell at Crescent Junction. Specifically, DOE-EM seeks to construct an evapotranspiration cover on the top slope, instead of the previously concurred upon rock cover. In addition to the changes to the top slope, DOE-EM is also seeking to modify the rock size on the side slope of the disposal cell.
The NRC staff has completed its review of DOEs submittal. Our review, documented in the enclosed Technical Evaluation Report, documents the NRC staffs evaluation of the proposed changes to the remedial action plan for compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards contained in 40 CFR Part 192.
In 2008, DOE-EM prepared an Environmental Impact Statement to document the impacts of its plan to relocate uranium mill tailings from Moab, Utah, to a new disposal cell located in Crescent Junction, Utah2. The NRC served as a cooperating agency in the preparation of that document3. The DOE prepared a supplemental environmental analysis of its proposed change to the remedial action plan4. The NRC continued its role as a cooperating agency by reviewing and providing feedback on DOE-EMs supplemental analysis. During its review, the NRC observed that DOE-EM has adequately described the proposed action, affected environment, potential impacts, and has considered reasonable alternatives.
Based on our review, we conditionally concur on DOEs proposed revisions to the remedial action plan. DOEs proposed changes address disposal of the tailings and contaminated 1 Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Number ML24183A373 2 Remediation of the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah, Final Environmental Impact Statement, July 2005 (DOE/EIS-0355) 3 ML032040234 4 ML25251A267 September 17, 2025
M. Udovitsch 2
soils at the Crescent Junction disposal cell. DOE has not addressed cleanup of contaminated groundwater in this submittal. While this is acceptable to the NRC, it prevents us from fully concurring on the proposed remedial action at this time. Therefore, our concurrence with DOEs proposed remedial action is conditional until the NRC staff determines that DOE has adequately addressed the cleanup of contaminated groundwater at the Moab site.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Doug Mandeville at (301) 415-0724, or by e-mail at Douglas.Mandeville@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Bill VonTill, Branch Chief Uranium Recovery and Materials Decommissioning Branch Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket No.: WM00110
Enclosure:
- 1. Technical Evaluation Report, Revision 3 to Remedial Action Plan cc: C. Pulskamp (DOE)
Moab Mill ListServ Signed by VonTill, Randolph on 09/17/25
ML25238A078; Ltr ML25238A081 OFFICE NMSS/DUWP/URMDB NMSS/DUWP
/URMDB NAME DMandeville RVonTill DATE Sep 15, 2025 Sep 17, 2025