HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRC-2015-007708 - 0901a06880592789GARYR. HERBERT
Governar
SPENCERJ. COX
Lieutenant Gwemor
Department of
Environmental Quality
Alan Matheson
Exccutive Director
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
AND RAD1ATION CONTROL
Scott T. Anderson
Director
November 3,2015
Kathy Weinel, Quality Assurance Manager
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc.
225 UnonBlvd., Suite 600
Lakewood, CO 80228
RE: Energy Fuels Resources, White Mesa Uranium Mill August lg,20l5 2nd Quarter 2015
Groundwater Monitoring Report; August 14,2015 Notice Pursuant to Part I.G.l(a) and
September 10,2015 Transmittal of Plan and Time Schedule
Utah Groundwater Discharge Permit No. UGW37 0004
Dear Ms. Weinel:
The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control has completed its review of the following
Energy Fuels Resources (USA) Inc. (EFR) documents:
1. EFR, August 19,2015 -Transmittal of * Quarter 20/5 Groundwater Monitoring Report
Groundwater Quality Discharge Permit UGW370004 White Mesa Uranium Mill.
2. EFR, August 14,2015 - State of Utah Ground lV'ater Discharge Permit No. UGW370004
White Mesa (Jranium MiU - Notice Pursuant to Part 1.G.1(a).
3. EFR, September 10, 2015 - Transmittal of Plan and Time Schedule under Utah Ground
water Discharge Permit uGW370004 Part 1.G.4(d) white Mesa Mill.
EIiR 2nd Ouarter 2015 Groundwater Monitorine Renort - Close-out:
Based on review of the EFR August 19, 2015 7d Quarter 2015 Groundtvater Monitoring Report,it
appears that all applicable requirements of the Permit were met. Therefore, the review is hereby closed
out.
EFR Aueust 14. 2015 Notice Pursuant to Part I.G.l(a):
Based on review of the EFR August 14, 2015 Notice, it appears that all requirements of the Permit were
met. Therefore, the review is hereby closed out.
195 Norttr 1950 West'Salt Lake City, UT
Mailing Address: P.O- Box 1,14880 ' Salt Lake City' UT 841144880
Telephone (801) 536-0200'Fax (S0l) 536-0222 'T.D.D. (801) 5364414
tuww.ileq.utah.gao
Printed on l00o/o recycled Paper
DRC-2015-007708
(Over)
EFR September 10.2015 Plan and Time Schedule for Monitorine Well MW-3
The EFR September 10, 2015 Plan and Time Schedule (EFR Plan) addresses exceedances of the ground
water compliance limits (GWCLs) for cadmium and zinc at monitoring well MW-3. These parameters
are in "out of compliance stafus" in accordance with Part I.G.2 of the Permit and require corrective
action in accordance with Part I.G.4 of the Permit. EFR additionally included an evaluation of
beryllium and nickel for monitoring well MW-3 in the EFR Plan since "these two additional constituents
have either exceeded the GWCL once, as in the case of beryllium, or have reported results approaching
the GWCL, as in the case of nickel."
It is noted that these GWCL exceedances were discussed with representatives of the Division and EFR
during two conference calls (September 2015). Specifically, it was agreed that it would be appropriate
to investigate/verifr whether the MW-3 monitoring well desigrr/construction, which includes nine tol0
feet of blank casing below the screened interval, was the potential cause of the exceedances prior to
conducting additional source investigation activities and submitting a full soruce assessment plan to the
Division for review.
The EFR Plan states that an inert inflatable well packer will be installed directly below the well screened
interval in order to isolate the blank screen section and prevent mixing of stagnant water and sediment in
the sump with the groundwater sample. EFR will use the normal purging methods listed in the facility
quality assurance plan after installation of the packer and will collect four quarters of groundwater
samples for all compliance parameters listed in the Permit Table 2. The data will be submitted to the
Division with the scheduled quarterly groundwater monitoring reports. After receipt of the analytical
data for these samples, EFR will coordinate with the Division regarding a path forward.
Based on the Division's review of the EFR Plan, it appears that the plarured activities are as agreed upon
during the teleconferences held during September 2015. Please install the inflatable packer in
monitoring well MW-3 within 90 calendar days as stated in the EFR plan.
If you have questions, please call Tom Rushing at (801) 536-0080.
Sincerely,
Scott T. Anderson, Director
Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
SA/TRlka
c: Worthy Glover, Jr., MMHRM, CPM, Health Offrcer, San Juan Public Health Department
Rick Meyer, Environmental Health Director, San Juan Public Health Department