[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 812-815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-228]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No.: 030-14784]
U.S. Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, Alabama; Notice of
Intent To Amend Byproduct Materials License for the Former U.S. Army
Chemical School Facilities in Fort McClellan, Alabama, Environmental
Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and Opportunity for
Hearing
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (hereafter referred to
as NRC staff) is considering issuance of a license amendment to Nuclear
Materials License No. 01-02861-05, issued to the Department of the
Army's Chemical School, to authorize decommissioning of a radioactive
waste burial mound located at the Pelham Range at Fort McClellan,
Alabama.
This amendment would involve the approval of the Remediation
(Decommissioning) Plan for the Department of the Army's Fort McClellan
Pelham Range Burial Mound, Fort McClellan, Alabama, dated September 9,
1999. The Army is obligated to remediate the Fort McClellan site to
meet the release criteria in 10 CFR 20, Subpart E (NRC, 1997).
Based on our evaluation of the Army's Fort McClellan Remediation
(Decommissioning) Plan, NRC staff has determined that the proposed plan
complies with NRC's public and occupational dose and effluent limits,
and that authorizing the proposed activities would not be a major
Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment. NRC staff concludes that a Finding of No Significant
Impact is justified and appropriate, and that an environmental impact
statement is not required.
Introduction
On July 23, 1998, the Army's Material License No. 01-02861-05 was
amended to include cesium 137 (Cs-137) and cobalt 60 (Co-60) waste
contained in a burial mound located at Rideout Field, Pelham Range,
Area 24C at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The Army requested this amendment
based on a characterization study completed in January 1996. The study
consisted of walkover surface scans, hole logging and sample analysis.
The Army obtained 571 systematic random and biased samples and analyzed
them for radiological parameters by gamma spectroscopy. The analysis
supported the conclusion that the mound was contaminated with Cs-137
and Co-60 waste from previously licensed activities at the base.
The Co-60 concentration varied between 1.6 and 187 pCi/g for the
surface samples and from 0 to 330
pCi/g for sub-surface samples. The Cs-137 samples varied from 0.2 to
179 pCi/g for the surface samples and from 0 to 12 pCi/g for the sub-
surface samples. One sample contained an individual Co-60 spec with a
mass of 0.0043 grams and an activity of 243,000 pCi.
Pelham Range consists of approximately 22,000 acres of land west of
the main post, which is located adjacent to Anniston, Alabama. One of
the uses of the Pelham Range was as a radiological training area for
simulated large area radioactive contamination (fallout) from the
surface detonation of a small yield nuclear weapon. The training
concept involved the raising and lowering of sealed radioactive
sources. Students would then perform ground and aerial surveys to map
the fallout pattern. This training occurred from the mid 1950s through
May of 1973. The Army used locally fabricated Co-60 sources and higher
activity commercially produced Cs-137 sources. A number of leaking
locally fabricated Co-60 sources contributed to the formation of the
burial mound.
The Army Base Closure and Realignment Committee has identified Fort
McClellan as an installation for closure. The remediation of the burial
mound is one of several radiological issues that must be resolved prior
to the termination of the materials license and final base closure.
Proposed Action
The Army is proposing to collect the radiologically contaminated
materials from the Pelham Range burial mound. The Army intends to
remediate the site to the NRC criteria for unrestricted use delineated
in 10 CFR 20, Subpart E, that
[[Page 813]]
being 25 mrem/year TEDE to the critical group. For the Pelham Range
site, this was modeled for a residential family (i.e., the critical
group) which occupies the land and operates it as a self-sustaining
farm.
The Army modeled the future residential farm scenario using site
specific environmental parameters to determine acceptable clean up
levels using the Residual Radioactivity (RESRAD) computer code. The
model calculated acceptable cleanup levels of 2.3 pCi/g of Co-60 and
9.2 pCi/g of Cs-137. These represent the maximum average acceptable
contaminant levels that will meet the NRC's release criteria. In
addition, the Army will operate under the concept of As Low As
Reasonable Achievable (ALARA). After reviewing the site
characterization data and considering the sensitivity of available
field instrumentation, by applying ALARA, the predicted average
concentrations after decommissioning will be approximately 0.1 pCi/g of
Co-60 and approximately 0.1 pCi/g of Cs-137.
The general decommissioning outline is as follows:
1. Clear all brush from the burial mound area.
2. Reestablish the survey grid system.
3. Identify the contaminated areas within the remediation parameters.
4. Remove the soil/sand which contains the radioactivity.
5. Survey the area to ensure remediation was successful.
6. Remove any residual activity discovered after excavation.
7. Package and prepare radioactive material for shipment.
8. Complete the final survey of the remediated mound for release.
9. Ship radioactive material for disposal.
During the remediation process, the Army will obtain sufficient
water samples to characterize the groundwater in the area to ensure
that no contamination is present in the groundwater.
The Army plans to package and ship the radiologically contaminated
material offsite to the Envirocare facility in Clive, UT. Envirocare is
a licensed low-level waste disposal site. The Army will perform a 100-
percent surface survey of the remaining soil in and around the Pelham
Range burial mound.
The Army expects to generate approximately 392 cubic meters (498
cubic yards) of low-level radioactive waste that they will ship offsite
for disposal. Roll-on, roll-off containers with hard covers and six mil
plastic liners will be used for shipment to the disposal site. As each
container is filled it will be readied for shipment. Each container
will be covered and sealed before it leaves the site after the exterior
surfaces are surveyed and found to be free of loose contamination.
The Army plans to transport the sealed containers by truck to the
nearby rail spur. At the rail spur, the Army plans to load the
containers onto railcars for transport to the Envirocare disposal
facility, in Clive, Utah. The Army is committed to shipments complying
with NRC and DOT package and shipping requirements.
The Army estimates that the maximum expected exposure rate on the
exterior surface of the waste shipping containers will be 0.5
milliroentgen/hour (mR/hr); the maximum dose to the onsite worker from
this proposed activity will be 0.03 millisieverts (mSv) [3 millirem
(mrem)] and the maximum dose to a member of the public from the
transportation of this material will be less than 0.01 mSv (1 mrem).
The Need for the Proposed Action
Fort McClellan is being closed under Base Relocation and Closure
(BRAC) and will be turned over to the State of Alabama for unrestricted
use. The proposed action is necessary to reduce residual contamination
at the site to meet NRC's unrestricted release criteria.
Alternative to Proposed Action
The alternatives to the proposed action are releasing the area
under a restricted release condition or taking no action.
The restricted release option under NRC guidelines would require
the Army to implement institutional controls to limit the future land
use for the decommissioned grounds. The intended future land use (and
current use) is for training of Army National Guard troops. This
training does and will include the use of tanks, which can disturb the
contaminated area and lead to the spread of the contamination. The Army
has decided that decommissioning the grounds to unrestricted release
conditions would be a better and more cost effective approach.
Taking no action conflicts with NRC's requirement, in 10 CFR 40.42,
of timely remediation at sites that have ceased NRC licensed
operations. Although there is no immediate threat to the public health
and safety from this site, not undertaking remediation, at this time,
does not resolve the regulatory and potential long-term health and
safety problems involved in storing this waste. No action now would
delay remediation until some time in the future, when costs could be
much higher than they are today. It is even possible that no disposal
option will be available in the future if the current low-level
radioactive waste disposal facilities are closed and no new ones are
opened.
Environmental Impacts of Proposed Action
There are limited potential short-term environmental impacts
associated with the proposed decommissioning activities. These include
the potential release to the environment of airborne and liquid
effluents, which may contain low levels of radioactive contamination
during certain activities such as excavation, packaging, and waste
transportation. NRC regulation 10 CFR Part 20 specifies the maximum
allowable amounts of radioactive materials that a licensee can release
from a site in the form of either airborne or liquid effluents.
The NRC will require the Army to comply with these regulations. The
Army has established action levels that will ensure that effluent
releases during decommissioning activities are below the levels allowed
by Part 20.
The Army has committed to implementing a contamination monitoring
and control program to detect and minimize the spread of contamination.
Contamination monitoring will be accomplished by: (1) Performing all
site remediation work under a Radiation Work Permit system, (2)
conducting routine radioactivity surveys, (3) use of access controls to
prevent inadvertent personnel access to contaminated areas, (4) use of
personal protection, (5) surveying and decontaminating all personnel,
equipment and vehicles before they leave the work site, and (6)
employee training.
The Army will minimize the potential for airborne effluent releases
by having a water truck available to suppress dust during activities
that could generate significant quantities of dust. Activities that
could generate significant quantities of dust include the excavation of
the waste, processing and packaging of the waste, as well as during
conveyor system screening and sampling operations. The Army will
implement an environmental air monitoring program. Specifically, they
will collect air samples in the breathing zone of workers during work
that may produce airborne contamination, and they will position low
volume air samplers downwind of the work area.
If airborne activities exceed 50-percent of the Derived Airborne
Concentration (DAC) from Appendix B of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) Title 10, Part 20, the Army will:
[[Page 814]]
(a) Implement dust-control measures;
(b) Cease all work activities;
(c) Investigate the cause for the airborne activity;
(d) Document all findings and measurements;
(e) Implement corrective actions before proceeding with decommissioning
activities.
There are no expected adverse impacts to air quality as a result of
planned decommissioning activities. There will a slight increase in
dust emissions during the removal of the contaminated sand/soil;
however, the burial mound is in a remote area of the installation and
will not have an adverse impact on the ambient air quality. There is
little likelihood that airborne radioactive material will be a problem
on the range during any operation conducted for the remediation. The
maximum general area dose rate for the Pelham Range Burial Mound is
11.7 uR/hour at 1-meter above ground. All Army site workers will wear
personnel dosimetry devices. Based on the Army's calculations, the
highest expected dose to an onsite worker is 30 mSv (3 mrem) (i.e.,
11.7 uR/hour x 250 worker-hours). The Army has determined that no
immediate threat to public health and safety exists. The Army will
monitor all potential exposure pathways, and exposure from each pathway
will be kept as low as is reasonably achievable, during decommissioning
activities.
Pelham Range workers not expected to receive an occupational dose
as defined by 10 CFR 20.1502 and members of the public are expected to
receive less than 10 mSv (1 mrem) from all exposure pathways as a
result of decommissioning activities.
The proposed decommissioning action will have a positive
environmental impact on the water quality in the area since low-level
radioactive contamination will be removed from the soil above the
aquifer. The Pelham Range Burial Mound is not located in the flood
plain of any stream or river. There are no wetlands located in the
project area. There will be no water bodies diverted in order to
decontaminate the burial mound.
This action will not have an adverse impact on future land use. Ft.
McClellan has used the Pelham Range Burial Mound to store the
radioactive contamination for several years. The removal of the
radioactive contaminated soil will be a beneficial environmental
impact.
The radioactive material will be packaged, handled and stored
according to the appropriate health and safety procedures. Packaging
contaminated soil shall conform to Department of Transportation (DOT)
regulations and the disposal site requirements. The Army will ship the
waste in accordance with all DOT, State and Low Level Radioactive Waste
Compact Commission regulations.
There will be no significant/prolonged periods of increased noise
levels. The decommissioning activities will generate some elevated
sound levels for a 6-8 week period. The elevated noise will come from
the operation of heavy machinery and electrical generators. The noise
from these activities is not expected to significantly impact the
wildlife or the general public.
There is no adverse impact expected on cultural resources. The
project will consist of the sampling and removal of radiologically
contaminated materials that the Army placed in the mound within the
past few decades. The likelihood of encountering any artifacts in the
area is remote.
NRC staff conducted an evaluation of the potential for
environmental justice issues due to low income populations. Based on
the staff's evaluation, it is concluded that the Pelham Range site does
not have an environmental justice potential because of its isolated
location, there are no disproportionately high minority or low-income
populations.
Agencies and Individuals Consulted
This environmental assessment was prepared by NRC staff and
coordinated with the following agencies: the State of Alabama
Department of Public Health, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
the Alabama Historical Commission. These agencies had no objection with
the proposed action. No other sources were used beyond those referenced
in this environmental assessment.
Conclusions
Decommissioning of the site to the cleanup levels proposed for this
action will result in reduced residual contamination levels in the
burial mound, enabling release of the area for unrestricted use and
termination of the radioactive materials license. No radiologically
contaminated effluents are expected during the decommissioning.
Occupational doses to decommissioning workers are expected to be low
and well within the limits of 10 CFR Part 20. No radiation exposure to
any member of the public is expected, and public exposure will
therefore also be less than the applicable public exposure limits of 10
CFR Part 20. Therefore, the environmental impacts from the proposed
action are expected to be insignificant.
References
NRC, ``Radiological Criteria for License Termination'', 10 CFR Part
20, Subpart E, 62 FR 139, July 21, 1997
NRC, ``Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual,
(MARSSIM), NUREG-1575, December 1997
NRC, Draft ``Manual for Conducting Radiological Surveys in Support
of License Termination'', NUREG/CR-5849, June 1992
NRC, ``Guidelines for Decommissioning of Facilities and Equipment
Prior to Release for Unrestricted Use or Termination of Licenses for
By-product, Source or Special Nuclear Material'', May 3, 1973
NRC, ``NMSS Handbook for Decommissioning Fuel Cycle and Materials
Licensees'' March 1997
U.S. Army, Phase II, Burial Mound Decommissioning Plan, February
1999
U.S. Army, Draft Environmental Assessment For The Proposed
Decommissioning of The Ft. McClellan Pelham Range Burial Mound,
October 8, 1999
Finding of No Significant Impact
Pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51, NRC has prepared this EA in support of
the proposed amendment related to the approval of the Army's Fort
McClellan Pelham Range Burial Mound Remediation (Decommissioning) Plan.
On the basis of the EA, the Commission has concluded that this
licensing action will not significantly affect the quality of the human
environment and has determined not to prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement.
Accordingly, it has been determined that a Finding of No
Significant Impact is appropriate.
The documents related to this proposed action are publicly
available.
Opportunity for a Hearing
The NRC hereby provides notice that this is a proceeding on an
application for amendment of a license falling within the scope of
Subpart L ``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudication in Materials
Licensing Proceedings,'' of NRC's rules and practices for domestic
licensing proceedings in 10 CFR Part 2. Pursuant to Sec. 2.1205(a), any
person whose interest may be affected by this proceeding may file a
request for a hearing in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(a). A request for
hearing must be filed within thirty (30) days of the date of
publication of this Federal Register notice.
The request for a hearing must be filed with the Office of the
Secretary either:
1. By delivery to the Docketing and Service Branch of the Secretary
at One
[[Page 815]]
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738; or
2. By mail or telegram addressed to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555. Attention: Docketing and
Service Branch.
In addition to meeting other applicable requirements of 10 CFR Part
2 of the NRC's regulations, a request for a hearing filed by a person
other than the applicant must describe in detail:
1. The interest of the requester in the proceeding;
2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the
proceeding, including the reasons why the requestor should be permitted
a hearing, with particular reference to the factors set out in
Sec. 2.1205(g); and
3. The requester's areas of concern about the licensing activity
that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and
4. The circumstances establishing that the request for a hearing is
timely in accordance with Sec. 2.1205(c).
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.1205(e) each request for a hearing must
also be served, by delivering it personally or by mail, to:
1. The applicant, U.S. Army Chemical School, Attn: ATSN-CM, 401
Engineer Loop, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473-8928, Attention: Commandant;
and
2. The NRC staff, by delivery to the Executive Director for
Operations, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
20852, or by mail, addressed to the Executive Director for Operations,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555.
For further details with respect to this action, the site
decommissioning plan will be available for review on the NRC's Public
Electronic Reading Room.
Dated at Atlanta, Georgia, this 18th day of December 2000.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Douglas M. Collins,
Director, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 01-228 Filed 1-3-01; 8:45 am]
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