DRC-2014-003921 - 0901a06880449049

John Hultquist <[e-mail]>
Background air monitoring location at White Mesa Mill
3 messages
John Hultquist <[e-mail]> Wed, Jun 11, 2014 at 10:21 AM
To: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rusty Lundberg <[e-mail]>, Laura Lockhart <[e-mail]>, Phillip Goble <[e-mail]>
Scott,
Hope your doing well. Back when we had our meeting up at the Capital on April 29, 2014, we discussed the
possibility of having a background air monitoring station at the White Mesa Community, approximately 6 miles
south southeast of the White Mesa Mill.
The immediate answer by representatives of the Ute Mtn Lite Tribe indicated no interest. Please confirm that this
is still the case?
To: John Hultquist <[e-mail]>
Hi John,
Thanks for checking back with us on it. Let me discuss it with folks internally and then respond with an
answer. I will try to make that happen fast.
From: John Hultquist [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:21 AM
To: Scott Clow
Cc: Rusty Lundberg; Laura Lockhart; Phillip Goble
Subject: Background air monitoring location at White Mesa Mill
[Quoted text hidden]
Scott Clow <[e-mail]> Sat, Jun 14, 2014 at 1:57 PM
To: John Hultquist <[e-mail]>
Cc: Tomoe Natori <[e-mail]>, Michael King <[e-mail]>, "[e-mail]"
<[e-mail]>, Celene Hawkins <[e-mail]>, Colin Larrick <[e-mail]>,
Mark Smith <[e-mail]>
Regards,
John DRC-2014-003921
Scott Clow <[e-mail]> Wed, Jun 11, 2014 at 3:34 PM
SCott
Hi John,
From: Scott Clow
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 2:40 PM
To: Tomoe Natori; Michael King; Colin Larrick
Cc: Celene Hawkins; '[e-mail]'; Malcolm Lehi; Gary Hayes
Subject: FW: Background air monitoring location at White Mesa Mill
White Mesa Team-
What do you think about this offer? I told John I would try to get him an answer relatively quickly.
Perhaps on the far south end of the mesa it would be appropriate for a "background" station, maybe it
needs to be farther away- like McCracken Mesa (?) Mike, your perspective as our air monitoring expert
would be helpful.
Scott
From: John Hultquist [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:21 AM
To: Scott Clow
Cc: Rusty Lundberg; Laura Lockhart; Phillip Goble
Subject: Background air monitoring location at White Mesa Mill
Scott,
Hope your doing well. Back when we had our meeting up at the Capital on April 29, 2014, we discussed the
possibility of having a background air monitoring station at the White Mesa Community, approximately 6 miles
south southeast of the White Mesa Mill.
The immediate answer by representatives of the Ute Mtn Ute Tribe indicated no interest. Please confirm that this
is still the case?
Regards,
John
Based on the guidance by NRC, we do not think that locating a "background" monitoring station within the
White Mesa Community is practical. See our Air Quality Technician's explanation below. Thank you for
following up and offering the alternative, but we do not think it would benefit the overall goal of
enhancing the mill's monitoring program.
Scott
From: Michael King
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 4:13 PM
To: Scott Clow; Tomoe Natori; Colin Larrick
Cc: Celene Hawkins; '[e-mail]'; Malcolm Lehi; Gary Hayes
Subject: RE: Background air monitoring location at White Mesa Mill
Hello Scott,
The pasquill stability wind class (air dispersion) method was used during the Preliminary Risk Assessment
forthe White Mesa Community to characterize atmosphericturbulence (1992-1997). Basically
meteorological conditions (WS, WD, solar radiation, temp, etc.) are observed and applied to the stability
classes. Atmospheric turbulence plays a key role in air dispersion because it increases the entrapment of
aerosols and mixing of ambient (unpolluted) air into a plume of air which then dilutes the concentration
of pollutants in the plume. Current air dispersion models (AERMOD, etc) do not utilize the pasquill
method but for now it gives us insight into turbulence in the White Mesa area. NOAA backward trajectory,
wind classes and wind rose plots support the need for background air monitor to the west of the Mill due
to the unstable winds observed at BHV-2 wind monitor/met station and diurnal shifts in wind direction
observed at the White Mesa air monitoring station. Accordingto NRC Reg. Guide 4.14, locations forthe
background air monitor should be cited in areas of least prevalent wind direction and in a remote area,
unaffected by milling operations. NRC in its Environmental Statement (1979) forthe Mill originally
recommended a 9.4 mile minimum citing criteria for the background monitor. Of the 16 wind compass
directions, wind monitoring data from the area indicates that prevailing winds blow from the SSW to the
NNW. I would recommend a background monitor to meet or exceed the original 9 mile minimum with
avoidance of the prevailing winds at White Mesa.
Thanks,
Michael King
Air Quality Technician
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
Environmental Programs Department
P: [phone]
F: [phone]