[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6265]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 17, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 40-8905]

 

Quivira Mining Co.; Ambrosia Lake Mill

AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of intent to amend Source Material License SUA-1473 to 
modify the erosion protection design of the plan for reclamation of the 
Ambrosia Lake Mill disposal area, and Notice of Opportunity to request 
a hearing.

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1. Proposed Action

    By letter dated January 7, 1994, Quivira Mining Company (QMC), 
holder of Source Material License SUA-1473 for the Ambrosia Lake Mill, 
requested an amendment to License Condition No. 37 to; (1) Eliminate 
having to open a new rock quarry and its related surface disturbance; 
(2) improve the erosion protection for the tailings impoundments; and 
(3) reduce the volume of waste rock generated at the crusher and 
thereby reduce the disturbance in that area.

2. Reason for Request To Amend License

    License Condition No. 37 describes requirements that the licensee 
must comply with in reclaiming the site. As discussed, below, QMC is 
requesting modifications to this license condition.
    The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires that rock used for 
erosion protection have the ability to withstand the forces of 
weathering for long periods of time. In accordance with this 
requirement, in the approved reclamation plan, QMC provided evidence 
that rock from an area known as La Chuchilla Ridge would meet the NRC 
criteria. To assure that this rock source is actually used to obtain 
rock for erosion protection, License Condition No. 37(J) specifically 
mentions that erosion protection materials must be obtained from La 
Chuchilla Ridge. QMC is requesting that License Condition 37(J) be 
revised to allow them to obtain rock from an existing quarry near the 
Homestake Mill in order to prevent having to disturb the La Chuchilla 
Ridge area. The durability of rock at the Homestake Quarry has been 
shown to be equivalent to the rock from La Chuchilla Ridge.
    License Condition No. 37(K) specifies the gradation and sizing 
requirements of the rock to be used for erosion protection. For the 
outslopes of Ponds 1 and 2, four sizes of rock are required depending 
on where the rock is to be placed. In order not to have to process four 
different gradation sizes, QMC proposes to use larger rock than 
required in two areas of the outslopes. This would not only improve the 
erosion protection design, but would also reduce the disturbance in the 
area.
    The approved reclamation plans does not require rock for erosion 
protection of the top surfaces of Ponds 1 and 2 as the surfaces are 
sufficiently flat to be stable under extreme flood conditions. QMC 
proposes to be allowed to place rock on the top surfaces of the two 
ponds if they so desire. This request would also improve the erosion 
protection design.
    Paragraph 10 CFR 51.22 (c)(11), categorically excludes the 
requirement for an environmental assessment for this licensing action. 
That paragraph states that the categorical exclusion applies to the 
issuance of amendments to licenses for uranium mills provided that (1) 
there is no significant change in the types or significant increase in 
the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite, (2) there is 
no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational 
radiation exposure, (3) there is no significant construction impact, 
and (4) there is no significant increase in the potential for or 
consequences from radiological accidents.
    The licensing action discussed in this memorandum meets these 
criteria as the proposed amendment involves only changes in the erosion 
protection design. The proposed changes will provide larger rock than 
required in some areas, and will eliminate disturbing a new area for 
obtaining rock by using an existing quarry. Neither of these changes 
will result in adverse environmental impacts. An environmental report 
is not required from the licensee since the amendment does not meet the 
criteria of 10 CFR 51.60 (b)(2).

3. Notice of Opportunity To Request Hearing

    In accordance with title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 2 
(10 CFR part 2), paragraph 2.1205(c)(1), interested parties are hereby 
notified that they may request a hearing pursuant to the procedures set 
forth in 10 CFR 2.1205 within thirty (30) days of the publication of 
this notice.

    Signed in Denver, Colorado this 4th day of March 1994.
Raymond O. Gonzales,
Acting Director, Uranium Recovery Field Office, Region IV.
[FR Doc. 94-6265 Filed 3-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7579-01-M