DRC-2010-001963 - 0901a0688016b603

State of Utah
GARY R. HERBERT
Governor
GREG BELL
Lieutenant Governor
Department of
Environmental Quality
Amanda Smith
Executive Director
DIVISION OF RADL\TION CONTROL
Dane L. Finerfrock
Director
u -i 7
February 16, 2010
Billy Ray, Project Engineer
Rio Algom Mining L.L.C.
P.O. Box 218
Grants, NM 87020
Subject: 2009 Annual Land Use Survey, Rio Algom Mining LLC, Lisbon Facility,
Radioactive Materials License No. UT1900481, Received by DRC on December
31, 2008: DRC Closeout and Advisory Regarding Potential Impact of a
Proposed Water Supply Well and Pipeline Project in the Vicinity of the
Southern LTSM Boundary.
Dear Mr. Ray:
DRC has completed review of the 2009 Annual Land Use Survey, Dated December 31, 2009 and
received by DRC on January 4, 2010. The Survey was submitted to comply with Condition 21 of
the Utah Radioactive Materials License Number UT1900481, Amendment 2 (License).
Per DRC review it appears that the Land Use Survey submission complies with License Condition
21. Therefore, this matter is hereby closed.
Advisory
The DRC has been in communication with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM Moab Office)
and Redd Ranches regarding a pipeline project for stock watering in the Lisbon Valley. The
project plan includes the installation of a groundwater pumping well located in section 28, south
ofthe Rio Algom property (and uranium contaminant plume). E-mail communication amongst
the Bureau of Land Management, Redd Ranches (Project Owner), and DRC have been copied to
Rio Algom (c/o Chuck Wentz).
Per the last communication from BLM (Ann Marie Aubrey, 12/24/10 via e-mail), BLM was in the
process of final review of the draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA planning included
an extraction well in section 28 located approximately .5 mile south of existing well right
0405013MOO/0405026MOO (see land use map). Per BLM findings this would relate to
approximately 1 - 2.7 miles south of the contaminant plume. Redd Ranches also reported that the
planned well is located west of the Lisbon Valley Fault line. Currently, this claim is
168 North 1950 Wesl • Salt Lake City, UT
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 144850 • Salt Uke City, UT 84114-4850
Telephone [phone] • Fax [phone] • T.D.D. (801) 536^1414
ww-w.deq.ulah.gov
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Billy Ray
DRC 2009 Land Use Survey Review
Page 2
unsubstantiated. As you may recall, the fault is considered a no flow boundary due to the low
permeability formations on the west side. While DRC would have no issue with the well if it
were drilled on the west side of the fault, this seems unlikely due to the lack of water bearing
formations in the area. Also, Redd Ranches indicated that the well would be screened at a depth
of approximately 140' which would be an unlikely penetration depth for a water bearing zone on
the west side of the fault (See Stratigraphy Column for the La Sal Quadrangle, Utah Geological
Society, DoeUing 2004). The 140 foot depth would more likely refer to a well on the east side of
the fault and would pump groundwater from the unconfined Burro Canyon Aquifer.
DRC, therefore, feels it necessary to advise Rio Algom that additional modeling simulations
and/or construction of monitoring wells along the southem border of the LTSM may be required
in the future, depending on the final well location selected by Redd Ranches. Per last DRC
communication with BLM the final well location had not been established.
If you have questions conceming the DRC review or this letter please do not hesitate to contact
Tom Rushing at [phone]. Thank you.
Sincerely,
UTAH RADIATION CONTROL BOARD
Dane L. Finerfrock, Executive Secretary *
DLF:TR:tr
cc: Chuck Wentz, Rio Algom Mining L.L.C.
Rictiard Bush, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of legacy Management, 2597 B % Road, Grand Junction, CO 81503
F:\Rio AlgomXLand Use Survey 2009\RioAlgomLandUse2009C1oseOutLetter.doc