[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 53468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26564]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Number 40-2259]


Pathfinder Mines Corporation

AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Amendment of source material license SUA-672 to change two 
reclamation milestone dates.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission (NRC) has amended Pathfinder Mines Corporation's (PMC's) 
Source Material License SUA-672 to change two reclamation milestone 
dates. This amendment was requested by PMC in its letter dated July 23, 
1998, and the receipt of the request by NRC was noticed in the Federal 
Register on August 12, 1998.
    The license amendment modifies License Condition 61 to change 
completion dates for two site-reclamation milestones. The new dates 
approved by the NRC extend completion of placement of the final radon 
barrier and placement of the erosion protection cover by three years 
and three months. PMC attributes the delays to substantial settlement 
still remaining to occur on the tailings system, before a final cover 
can be placed. Based on the review of PMC's submittal, the NRC staff 
concludes that the delays are attributable to factors beyond the 
control of PMC, and the proposed work is scheduled to be completed as 
expeditiously as practicable. Furthermore, because of the previous 
placement of an interim cover over the Lucky Mc tailings impoundment 
pursuant to License Condition 61A(2), and the ongoing radiation safety 
and environmental monitoring programs, the staff concludes that a delay 
in completion of placement of the final radon barrier cover and the 
erosion protection cover will not result in any significant added risk 
to the public health and safety and the environment.
    An environmental assessment is not required since this action is 
categorically excluded under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11), and an environmental 
report from the licensee is not required by 10 CFR 51.60(b)(2).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PMC's amended license, and the NRC staff's 
technical evaluation of the amendment request are being made available 
for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room at 2120 
L Street, NW (Lower Level), Washington, DC 20555.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mohammad W. Haque, Uranium Recovery 
Branch, Division of Waste Management, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555. Telephone (301) 415-6640.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of September, 1998.
Joseph J. Holonich,
Chief, Uranium Recovery Branch, Division of Waste Management, Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 98-26564 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P