DRC-2011-006429 - 0901a0688023b5f9

State of Utah
GARY R. HERBERT
Governor
GREG BELL
Lieutenant Governor
Department of
Environmental Quality
Amanda Smith
Executive Director
DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Rusty Lundberg
Director
2011-00642
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Loren Morton
Phil Goble \ pfiG
June 8, 2011
Tree-like Plants observed on Tailings Cell 2 on May 17, 2011 at the Penison
Mines (USA) Corp. (DUSA) White Mesa Uranium Mill.
Introduction
The Utah Division of Radiation Control (DRC) shared its review of the November 15,2010
Annual Technical Evaluation of the White Mesa Mill Tailings Management System (ATER
Report) in a March 17, 2011 Comments and Request for Information (RFI) Letter. Comment #2
stated: ''Under the Site Photographs tab of the ATER, photo 16 shows tree-like plants growing on
the interim cover of Cell 2, These tree-like plants must be removed and any associated damage to
the interim cover on Cell 2 repaired. Please provide a deadline for completion of this removal and
repair work. "
DUSA responded to the March 17, 2011 RFI in an April 19, 2011 letter. In the submittal, DUSA
claimed: ''The tree-like plants on the Cell 2 interim cover have been removed: The attached
photographs document the removal process and results,"
The DRC reviewed the April 19, 2011 DUSA photographs and determined that the photos were
illegible and therefore, did not document that the tree-like plants had been removed.
Phase lA and IC ofthe Nitrate Investigation (Mav 17. 2011)
The DRC was at the DUSA White Mesa Uranium Mill from May 17 - 20, 2011 to observed Phase
lA and IC of the Nitrate Investigation. On May 17, 2011, Mr. David Rupp, of the DRC, asked
DRC staff present at the Mill take photos to verify that the tree-like plants had been removed. On
May 17, 2010, Mr. Ryan Schierman, of DUSA, took the DRC to the location ofthe tree-like
plants that had been removed from Tailings Cell 2. Mr. Schierman referred to the area as "the
grove." DRC staff observed that there were numerous ''trees like plants" on Tailings Cell 2.
These "tree-like plants" appeared to be greasewood. The greasewoods had generally been cut at a
height of about 6 inches to a foot above the ground surface; however, some of the greasewoods
were only partially cut down and were approximately 2 to 3 feet tall. Mr. Schierman claimed that
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the plants had been sprayed with a herbicide in hopes in killing the greasewoods. Some of the
greasewoods were observed to still be ahve, as evidenced by the new growth observed on May 17,
2011. The method used by DUSA to remove the greasewoods failed to eradicate the
greasewoods. The greasewoods need to be completely removed and eradicated from the surface
of the Tailings Cell 2 temporary cover and any damage to Tailings Cell 2 temporary cover
repaired. Examples of the greasewoods observed during the inspection are included as Photos #1-
4. Approximately 20 additional photos were taken during the inspection of 15 other locations [
where greasewoods were observed, These photos are currently stored on the DRC network.
DRC Closeout Meeting with White Mesa Uranium Mill Staff Mav 20. 2011 (12:10 - 12;40)
Present: Phil Goble, Rich Bartlett (Plant Manager), Dan Hillsten (Future Plant Manager), David
Turk (Mill Radiation Safety Officer), and Ryan Schierman. A closeout meeting was held with
DUSA personnel on Friday May 20, 2011 from 12:10 to 12:40. One of the items discussed was
the "tree-like plants" located on Tailings Cell 2 and a summary of what was discussed is fourid
below:
1. DRC Staff explained that new photographs of the tree-like plants were taken because the
previous DUSA photos were illegible, and the DRC could not confirm in the pictures that
the "tree-like plants" had been removed. The DRC Staff told the DUSA personnel present
in the meeting, that they observed the "tree-like plants" on Tailings Cell 2 on May 17,
2011, and trees were not completed removed as claimed previously by DUSA. It appears
that most of the "tree-like plants" had been cut down to anywhere from 6 inches to more
than a foot, although a few ofthe plants were greater than 2 feet. Mr. Schierman told the
DRC on May 17, 2011 that the plants had been cut down and had been sprayed with a
herbicide. The DRC noted in the meeting, that some of the plants were observed to still be
alive, so the tree removal process appeared to be a work in progress, Mr. Turk agreed. No
commitment was provided by DUS A staff on a deadline for removal and eradication of the
tree-like plants in question.
Photo 1. Greasewood located on the top of Tailings Cell 2. The greasewood had been
partially cut down and was approximately 3 feet tall. Photo taken May 17, 2011.
Photo 2. Close up picture of the approximately 3 feet high greasewood. The
greasewood appeared to be still alive. Photo taken May 17, 2011.
Photo 3. Greasewood located on the top of Tailings Cell 2. The greasewood had been
partially cut down and was approximately 2 feet tall. Photo taken May 17, 2011..
Photo 3. Alive greasewood located on Tailings Cell 2 that had been previously cut
down. Photo taken May 17, 2011.