ML20083C873

Advises That Author Has Completed Review of Ltrs from Petition to Shut Down Georgia Tech Reactor.Review Indicates That Petition Suggestions Specious.No Data Indicates That Reactor Not Safe or Poses Environ Threat

ML20083C873
Person / Time
Site:	Neely Research Reactor
Issue date:	05/11/1995
From:	Mclemore W GEORGIA, STATE OF
To:	Mendoca M NRC
References
NUDOCS 9505230016
Download: ML20083C873 (2)

Text

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l f *k" Georgia Department of Natural Resources l

- 205 Butler Street,S.E., Royd Towers East, Atlanto, Georgia,30334 R plyTo: . . . . .

Joe D. Tonner, Commissioner i Georgio Geologic Survey Harold F. Rebels, Director l sRoom aX) Environmental Protection Division .

19 Mortin Lumer King Jr.. Dr., S.W. (404) ob4713 L ' Atlanto, Georgia 30334 l

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May 11, 1995 i Mr. Marvin Mendoca Mail Stop 011-B20 .

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission i

Washington, DC 20555 '

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Dear Mr. Mendoca:

l I have reviewed the letters from a petition to shut down the I Georgia Tech Research Reactor. 'The letters suggest (1) that the reactor overlies the Wahoo Creek Formation, which is notta i suitable nor a stable foundation material; (2) that there is an earthquake risk, particularly from'the Brevard Zone; (3).that unique geologic fractures, particularly horizontal fractures, might cause large. quantities of ground water to seep into the reactor and cause problems. My review indicates that the petition's suggestions are specious. '

The Wahoo Creek formation is one of many geologic formations of-the Piedmont Physiographic-Province. The fact that the Wahoo  :

Creek ~ Formation weathers into " slabs" is not relevant; in situ, it is a competent' rock adequate to provide suitable foundation for the reactor. Comparison of'the foundation characteristics'of weathered and in situ rock materials is not reasonable nor .:

appropriate. ~

Georgia is a relatively aseismic state and earthquakes are rare.

The brevard Zone should not be considered as an " earthquake fault". The proximity of the Brevard Zone'to the' reactor is not relevant.

Fractured rock, which is ubiquitous to the Piedmont, underlies the reactor. There are no data to suggest that horizontal fractures having high water yielding characteristics underlie'or ,

are even near the reactor. From a hydrogeological point of view, there are no known unique features of reactor site to suggest that ground water would affect reactor safety.

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Page 2 May 11, 1995 Mr. Mendoca The Piedmont extends from Alabama to New Jersey and occupies many 1 tens of thousands of square miles. The comments made in the petition would apply'at virtually any location in the Piedmont.

In addition, the petition cites several reports published by the  !

Geologic Survey Branch of the Georgia Environmental Protection l Division. The reports cited were prepared under my direction; I I personally reviewed and approved them. There are no data in l these reports that indicate the reactor at Georgia Tech is not safe or poses an environmental threat.

If you need additional information, please.let me know.

Sincerely, l W William H. McLemore [

State Geologist WHMilg cc: Jim Setser Technical Files t

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