ML20003C374
| ML20003C374 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/05/1981 |
| From: | Cunningham R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Earle G AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20003C366 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8102280283 | |
| Download: ML20003C374 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES 8
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION a
5 WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
....h JAN 5 1991 Mr. George H. Earle, IV Reading, Vemont 05062
Dear Mr. Earle:
This is to confim our telephone conversation on January 2,1981, concerning disposal of radioactive waste into the Atlantic Ocean.
I understand from our discussion that you sent a letter in September 1980 addressed to the Atomic Energy Comission (AEC) which outlined infomation relating to possible disposal of radioactive material in the Atlantic Ocean.
Basic infomation about the disposal as related to me by telephone is as follows:
1.
In 1947 you piloted a B17 aircraft on three missions to discharge containers into the Atlantic Ocean.
Four to six containers were discharged during each mission.
2.
The flights originated at Mustin Field, Philadelphia, and proceeded on a course of 1400 true.
Container discharges took place 100 nautical miles after passing over the New Jersey coast.
3.
Neither the origin nor content of the containers was identified to you. The containers were not labeled.
You base your con-clusion that the containers held radioactive material on the fact that geiger counters were used to survey the aircraft before and after the flights.
We are pleased to receive this information. As you know, the Nuclear Regulatory Comission has recently been collecting data about past-sea.
j disposals for Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
l Based on legislation enacted in 1972, the EPA has current responsibility for sea disposal.
I understand from Dr. Roger Mattson of EPA that he has spoken to you directly about these disposals and EPA will take appro-priate action. We will maintain the infomation you have provided as part of our records concerning sea disposal.
Our search of mail logs does not show thus far that we receivedyourletter addressed to the AEC.
Since that agency was abolished over five years ago, l
it is difficult to speculate where the letter might have been directed by l
the mail system.
I understand that since it was handwritten you do not have an additional copy to send me.
l l
I 60228 0
Mr. George H. Earlo. IV JAN 5 1991 We appreciate your interest in providing information. All such information is useful in the Government's continuing effort to assess possible impact of past sea disposal practices.
If you have any additions or corrections to my i
l sumary, please let me know.
Sincerely, 1
+ = = _ -
Richard E. Cunningham rector Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: Dr. Roger Mattson, EPA m
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