ML20147E849

Responds to Request for Summary of Tech Results of Dawsonville Aerial Surveillance Re Co60 Levels.No Contamination Area Outside Dawsonville Site Boundaries

ML20147E849
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/02/1978
From:	James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:	Setser J GEORGIA, STATE OF
References
NUDOCS 7812210231
Download: ML20147E849 (3)

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%..... NOV 2 1978 Mr. James L. Setser Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division 270 Washington Street, Room 825 Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Dear Mr. Setser:

In response to your verbal request for a summary of the technical results of the Dawsonville aeris1' surveillance which were presented at the meeting that you attended at the NRC RII office on October 20, 1978, my staff has prepared the following:

The Project Scientist from EG&G, Mr. T. W. Haguire, presented the results with the following in attendance:

s. W. Hufham, NRC-RII D. H. Montgomery, NRC-RII J. R. Allen, h1C-RII K. H. Clark, NRC-RII E. C. Ashley, h3C-Office of State Programs J. L. Setser, State of Georgia, Dept. of Natural Resources -

W. E. Cline, State of Georgia, Dept. of Natural Resources T. R. Phillips, State of Georgia, Dept. of Natural Resources A. Simanis, State of Georgia, Dept. of lluman Resources T. S. Haley,'Lockheed - Georgia Corp.

H. N. Edmondson, Lockheed - Georgia Corp.

W. E. Ahrens, EG&G The results were summarized on an aerial photograph with an overlay showing irodose lines in pR/hr. The overlay and photograph discussed at the meeting are available in our office if additional examination is desired. The survey of the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management. Area (formerly the Lockheed Radiation Effects Facility) by EG&G during the period by. June 7-13, 1978 showed the following:

1. The technical information provided immediately following the overflight was verified.

2: I- No contaminated areas outside the Iawsonville Site boundaries were detected.

3. A survey along the banks of the Etowah River downstream from the site showed no elevated radioactivity levels.

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4. The results of previous surveys by the State of Georgia which showed elevated 60 Co Icvels were confirmed.

5. The areas identified by the aerial survey are given below along with the net exposure rates from 60 Co at one meter above the ground.

a. Reactor Area, 8-12 pR/hr.

b. Cooling Off Area, 29-40 pR/hr.

c. Hot Cell Are'a, 2.7-4.5 PR/hr

d. Seapage Pit approximately 0.5 miles from Not Cell, 2.7-4.5 pR/hr.

An area near the Seepage Pit which was identified by the State's ground level surveys as having elevated leveh was not confirmed by the aerial survey. It should be noted that the exposure rates are for Co60 (natural background is not included) and are averaged over the field of view of the detection system (800-900 ft in diameter) . ais averaging effect leads to exposure rates which are usually somewhat less than those determined by ground surveys.

Thus, ground surveys may be more useful and accurate for evaluating potential exposure of the public.

6. In addition to the areas identified above, the survey showed .

elevated count rates in the 60 Co energy range in ten areas within the site. The count rates were above background rates but were too low for spectral identification of soCo. Mr. Maguire indicated at the meeting that the elevated count rates may have resulted from electronic noise. However, ground level surveys would be necessary to determine the locations of any actual sourt.es. We understand that you are currently surveying these designated areas. The exposure rates in these areas were less than in the seepage pit area.

We regret the delay in presenting the results of the Dawsonville overflight, but as indicated by Mr. Maguire, the technical results were delayed by technical problems and assignment of equipment and personnel to other surveys especially the DOE surveys in the Pacific.

It is cur understanding that a written summary from EG&G will be available within the next few months but a complete report will not be available for approximately one year. The complete report will not present any technical informa' tion different from that identified at the meeting. As soon as this office receives information from EG&G, a copy of the information.will be i forwarded to you. I hope the briefing and this confirmation summary will l be adequate for your use.

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tir. James L. Setser h0Y U I373 If you have any fu~rther questions concerning evaluations,or related considerations, please contact tir. J. W. liufham of this office.

Sincerely yours, mk. O -

mes P. O'Reilly Di ector cc: Attendees g a O f

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%%...} NOV 21978 Mr. James L. Setser Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division 270 Washington Street, Room 825 Atlanta, Georgia 30334

Dear Mr. Setser:

In response to your verbal request for a summary of the technical results of the Dawsonville aerial surveillance which were presented at the meeting that you attended at the NRC RII office on October 20, 1978, my staff has prepared the following:

The Project Scientist from EG&G, Mr. T. W. Maguire, presented the results with the following in attendance:

J. W. Hufham, NRC-RII D. H. Montgomery, NRC-RII J. R. Allen, h7C-RII K. H. Clark, NRC-RII E. C. Ashley, h7C-Office of State Programs J. L. Setser, State of Georgia, Dept. of Natural Resources -

W. E. Cline, State of Georgia, Dept. of Natural Resources T. R. Phillips, State of Georgia, Dept of Natural Resources A. Simanis, State of Georgia, Dept. of liuman Resources T. S. Haley,~Lockheed - Georgia Corp.

H. N. Edmondson, Lockheed - Georgia Corp.

U. E. Ahrens, EG&G The results were sumarized on an aerial photograph with an overlay showing isodose lines in g6/hr. The overlay and photograph discussed at the meeting are available in our office if additional examination is desired. The survey of the Dawson Forest Wildlife Hanagement. Area (formerly the Lockheed Radiation Effects Facility) by EG&G during the period by June 7-13, 1978 showed the following:

1. The technical information provided immediately following the overflight was verified.

2.U No containated areas outside the Dawsonville Site boundaries were detected.

3. A survey along the banks of the Etowah River downstream from the site showed no elevated radioactivity levels.

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ROY 2 1978

4. The results of previous surveys by the State of Georgia which showed elevated 60 Co Icvels were confirmed.

5. The areas identified by the aerial curvey are given below along with the net exposure rates from 60 Co at one meter above the ground.

a. Reactor Area, 8-12 pR/hr.

b. Cooling Off Area, 29-40 pR/hr.

c. Hot Cell Are'a, 2.7-4.5 pR/hr

d. Seepage Pit approximately 0.5 miles from Hot Cell, 2.7-4.5 pR/hr. .

An area near the Seepage Pit which was identified by the State's ground level surveys as having elevated levels was not confirmed by the aerial survey. It should be noted that the exposure rates are for Co60 (natural background is not included) and are averaged over the field of view of the detection system (800-900 ft in diameter). This averaging effect leads to exposure rates which are usually somewhat less than those determined by ground surveys.

Thus, ground surveys may be more useful and accurate for evaluating potential exposure of the public.

6. In addition to the areas identified above, the survey sbowed .

elevated count rates in the 60 Co energy range in ten areas within the site. The count rates were above background rates but were too low for spectral identification of 60 Co. Mr. Maguire indicated at the meeting that the elevated count rates may have resulted from electronic noise. However, ground level surveys would be necessary to determine the b eations of any actual sources. We understand that you are currently surveying these designated areas. The exposure rates in these areas were less than in the seepage pit area.

We regret the delay in presenting the results of the Dawsonville overflight, but as indicated by Mr. Maguire, the technical results were delayed by technical problems and assignment of equipment and personnel to other surveys especially the DOE surveys in the Pacific.

It is our understanding that a written summary from EG&G will be available within the next few months but a complete repo,rt will not be available for approximately one year. The complete report will not present any technical information different from that identified at the meeting. As soon as this office receives information from EG&G, a copy of the information.will be forwarded to you. I hope the briefing and this confirmation summary will be adequate for your use.

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Mr. James L. Setser MY U E3 If you have any' further questions concerning evaluations,'~or related considerations, please contact Mr. J. W. Hufham of this office.

Sincerely yours, ak. D -

mes P. O'Reilly Di ector cc: Attendees

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