[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 92 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27007-27012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-10482]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 40-6563]
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
Related to Issuance of License Amendment for the Removal of Unreacted
Ore From Plant 6W, Mallinckrodt Inc., St. Louis, Missouri; License No.
STB-401
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Buckley, Division of Waste
Management and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State
Materials and Environmental Management Programs, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop: T8F5, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
Telephone: (301) 415-6607; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Introduction
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
approval of Mallinckrodt Inc.'s (Mallinckrodt's) license amendment
request (ADAMS No. ML073390035) for removal of unreacted ore (URO) from
Plant 6W, a portion of Mallinckrodt's site located in St. Louis,
Missouri. As part of its review, the NRC staff has prepared this
environmental assessment (EA). The EA evaluates Mallinckrodt's request,
as supplemented by its responses dated January 28, 2008 (ML080350013),
and March 17, 2008 (ML080800076), to the NRC's request for additional
information (ML073550832).
2. Background
Mallinckrodt has been operating at the St. Louis Plant since 1867
producing various products including metallic oxides and salts,
ammonia, and organic chemicals. From 1942 to 1957, Mallinckrodt was
under contract with
[[Page 27008]]
the Manhattan Engineering District and the Atomic Energy Commission
(MED-AEC) to process uranium ore to produce uranium for development of
atomic weapons. Remediation of MED-AEC contamination at the St. Louis
Plant site is being performed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
(USACE) under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program
(FUSRAP). The Plant 6W area (described below) contains widespread
contamination from MED-AEC operations.
In addition to its MED-AEC operations, Mallinckrodt extracted
Columbium and Tantalum (C-T) from natural ores and tin slags from 1961
to 1985. These ores contained uranium and thorium isotopes, and were
thus source material which required a 10 CFR Part 40 possession and use
license. Mallinckrodt was issued License No. STB-401 in 1961. The C-T
operations produced the URO at issue here. The URO is comprised of
columbite ore and tin slag that did not dissolve by acid leaching, and
portions that precipitated as insoluble fluoride compounds
UF4 and ThF4. The URO is buried in a set of 10
trenches within the Plant 6W area, and is surrounded by MED-AEC
contamination. C-T processing was shut down from 1985 through early
1987, when Mallinckrodt began a two month pilot production run. During
the pilot production run, approximately 20,000 pounds of tin slag were
processed. In July 1993, NRC amended Mallinckrodt's license to a
possession only license for purposes of decommissioning the NRC-
licensed site and eventually terminating the NRC license. Approximately
6 Ci of natural uranium and 19 Ci of natural thorium isotopes were
contained in the ores and tin slags processed under License STB-401.
Mallinckrodt needs to remove the URO so that USACE can proceed with
its FUSRAP action. Mallinckrodt and USACE worked cooperatively to reach
an agreement in 2007 that defines a geographical boundary between
buried URO in trenches numbered 1-9, and surrounding land within Plant
6W. Under the agreement Mallinckrodt is responsible for removal of all
material within the geographical boundary, including the URO in the
nine burial trenches, and USACE is responsible for remediation of the
remainder of Plant 6W. Prior to removal of URO from Trench 10,
Mallinckrodt and USACE will need to conclude a similar delineation
agreement--to be examined by NRC--defining the geographical boundary of
Trench 10. With the exception of the buried URO, the remediation of the
Plant 6W area will be conducted by USACE pursuant to FUSRAP.
Mallinckrodt's St. Louis facility as a whole contains more than 50
buildings in an area covering approximately 43 acres. The facility has
been traditionally subdivided into areas called ``Plants'' based on
similar operations being performed within each plant. C-T processing
and support occurred in 21 buildings, mainly within Plant 5, but also
within Plants 1, 3, 6, 7 and 8. Select buildings and areas in Plants 6
and 7 were used to receive and store feed materials and drummed URO
waste. In 1972-73 approximately 300 cubic yards (yd\3\) of URO was
buried in the set of 10 trenches located on the western portion of
Plant 6--now designated as Plant 6W. Plant 6W is an uncovered area of
approximately 60,000 ft2 (200 ft x 300 ft) of which the
burials occupy an area of approximately 4500 ft2. A portion
of Trench 10 is located beneath a corner of Building 101, so that the
URO within Trench 10 is not fully accessible. The initial amendment
request for removal of URO from Plant 6W did not include removal of URO
from Trench 10. Mallinckrodt requested that NRC approve the removal of
URO from Trench 10 in its March 17, 2008, supplement. This request is
discussed below under the ``Connected Action'' heading.
Mallinckrodt is conducting its decommissioning activities of the C-
T processing areas in two phases. The NRC approved the Phase 1
decommissioning plan (DP) in May 2002. In Phase 1, Mallinckrodt
decommissioned the buildings and equipment to the extent necessary to
meet NRC's guidelines for unrestricted release. Mallinckrodt completed
Phase 1 decommissioning activities in February 2007. Phase 2 will
include the remediation of the building slabs and foundations, paved
surfaces, and all remaining subsurface materials. Mallinckrodt
submitted its Phase 2 DP for NRC review and approval in 2003. The staff
is still reviewing the Phase 2 DP.
Mallinckrodt originally planned to remove the URO from Plant 6W as
part of its Phase 2 decommissioning activities. However, in order to
coordinate schedules for remediation of Plant 6W with USACE,
Mallinckrodt is proposing to remove the URO buried in Plant 6W under
this separate licensing action prior to approval and implementation of
the Phase 2 DP.
3. Need for the Proposed Action
The ultimate goal of the C-T project decommissioning being overseen
by the NRC is to remediate those areas of the St. Louis site associated
with past C-T production, to the extent necessary to permit the
termination of License STB-401. As noted above, Plant 6W contains MED-
AEC contamination and URO from C-T operations in ten burial pits, and
Mallinckrodt is responsible for removing this URO. Removal of the URO
prior to Phase 2 decommissioning activities will remove a significant
source of radioactive material from the St. Louis Plant site, thereby
reducing the risk of exposure to Mallinckrodt workers during these
subsequent decommissioning activities.
4. Proposed Action
Mallinckrodt plans to remove URO and adjacent soil from the set of
ten trenches in Plant 6W, and ship the material by rail to a regulated
disposal facility. The specific disposal facility will depend on
whether the URO and soil contains more or less than the exempted
quantity of source material--0.05% by weight--as set forth in 10 CFR
Part 40.13(a). Non-URO and soil materials with surface contamination
meeting the standards in NRC Policy and Guidance Directive FC 83-23 can
be released from the site in accordance with license condition 16.
4.1 Site Description
The facility is located adjacent to the west bank of the
Mississippi River. The area surrounding the site is completely
developed, and includes a mixture of commercial, industrial and
residential uses. The St. Louis plant is located within Census Tract
1267. The residential population within this tract was 2,867 in 1990,
and the total residential population within one mile of the plant was
approximately 10,000. Section 1 of the DP provides maps showing the
site location, plant site, and C-T production and process areas.
The Mississippi, Missouri, and Meramec rivers are the main surface
water bodies near the facility. Storm runoff from the St. Louis plant
flows via the sewer system to the Metropolitan Sewer District. The City
of St. Louis municipal water intakes are located up-stream from the St.
Louis, Plant. The Mississippi River is subject to flooding. A levee
constructed in 1964 on City of St. Louis property protects the plant
from flood waters.
The St. Louis plant is underlain by two unconsolidated soil units
and one bedrock unit. The upper soil unit consists of fill material and
is between 12 and 30 feet thick. This unit contains a perched
groundwater unit at depths of three to nine feet below the surface. The
lower soil unit is composed of silt and clay above sandy alluvium, and
ranges
[[Page 27009]]
between 0 and 60 feet thick. Groundwater in the sandy alluvium is
saline and very hard, and flows to the east towards the Mississippi
River. The bedrock unit is limestone. Groundwater in the bedrock is
saline and non-potable. Groundwater beneath the St. Louis Plant and
surrounding area is not used for drinking water, and there are no
drinking water wells located near the plant.
The climate in the St. Louis area is warm and moist in the summer
and cold and dry in the winter. The annual average high and low
temperatures are 88 degrees Fahrenheit and 23 degree Fahrenheit,
respectively. The average annual precipitation is 36 inches.
4.2 Source Removal Criteria
As indicated above, the disposal criterion for the removed URO and
soil depends on whether or not the 10 CFR part 40.13(a) exemption limit
is exceeded. Equipment with surface contamination meeting the
requirements of NRC Policy and Guidance Directive FC 83-23 can be
released in accordance with license condition 16, as indicated in the
following chart.
Equipment Surface Release Limits
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Average (dpma/ Maximum (dpma/ Removable (dpma/
Equipment location 100 cm\2\) 100 cm\2\) 100 cm\2\)
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Any....................................................... 2400 7200 500
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At the Plant 6W site, Mallinckrodt will remove all material within
a geographical boundary agreed to between Mallinckrodt and USACE.
Completion of the removal action will be verified by measurement of the
excavation width and depth. Because this URO source removal action is
based upon agreed geographical boundaries, a residual radioactivity
concentration criterion--applicable in decommissioning actions--will
not be applicable here. Similarly, a final status survey will not be
required. Mallinckrodt will demonstrate completion of the URO removal
action by documenting the removal of the volume of material specified
in the Mallinckrodt/USACE delineation agreements.
4.3 Site Characterization
URO was buried in Plant 6W in a set of ten excavated trenches.
Mallinckrodt estimates that the URO contains about 1.8 wt% thorium and
about 0.15 wt% uranium. Approximately 290 yd\3\ of URO was packaged in
305 thirty-gallon steel drums. The drums were placed in the trenches in
a two-foot layer with approximately 3-4 feet of clean cover consisting
of compact soil.
4.4 Areas To Be Remediated
As stated above, Mallinckrodt and USACE have agreed upon a defined
geographic boundary for nine of the trenches in Plant 6W. Mallinckrodt
initially planned to remove URO buried in Trench 10 later, during Phase
2 decommissioning. However, if removal of URO from Trench 10 benefits
Mallinckrodt/USACE remediation activities in Plant 6W, Mallinckrodt may
elect to establish a delineation agreement with USACE for Trench 10 as
well, and remove URO from Trench 10 under this proposed license
amendment.
URO burials in Trenches 1-9 occupy an area of about 418 square
yards (yd\2\). Allowing for sloping excavation side walls results in a
total volume of excavated material of about 2605 yd\3\. The URO from
Trench 10 adds approximately 900 yd\3\ which brings the total excavated
volume to 3495 yd\3\.
4.5 Approach to URO Removal
Mallinckrodt is proposing to treat removal of the URO as a volume
of material within specified geographical bounds. Land outside the
boundary is the responsibility of USACE under FUSRAP. Mallinckrodt is
proposing to remove the URO using the following steps:
Utility lines, including water, electricity, gas, etc.,
will be located and marked prior to initiation of remediation
activities and will be relocated as necessary to perform this work;
Macadam pavement atop URO burials one through nine will be
removed;
Soil covering the buried URO will be removed by
excavation;
Water misting or similarly effective dust control methods
will be used as necessary to prevent the release of airborne dust
during excavation and materials handling activities;
Extent of the removal is to be verified by visual
inspection and, where necessary confirmed by appropriate radiation
measurements;
URO contents will be transported to the rail loading
facility on site for loading and delivery to a carrier for transport;
Excavated soil and URO may be mixed in order to satisfy
disposal site criteria; and
Backfill will be specified to ensure no subsidence or, by
agreement with the USACE, excavation cavities may be left to facilitate
FUSRAP remediation nearby.
4.6 Environmental Safety Program
Mallinckrodt has committed to perform URO removal activities in
accordance with a Health and Safety Program, which includes: (1) An
Industrial Safety Program; (2) a Radiation Protection Program; and (3)
an Environmental Safety Program. Only the Environmental Safety Program
is discussed here. Implementation of the overall Health and Safety
Program will be evaluated during NRC site inspections.
Mallinckrodt has committed to implement an Environmental Protection
Program to monitor air and water effluents discharged during the URO
removal project. During soil handling activities, Mallinckrodt has
committed to routinely collect samples or take measurements at on-site
and site boundary or off-site locations to determine the extent of
environmental discharges during remediation.
The amendment request states that Mallinckrodt will be responsible
for overall project direction and ensuring that NRC requirements are
met. The remediation contractors will be responsible for implementation
of the radiological, occupational, environmental safety and quality
assurance programs. The contractor will also be responsible for
providing trained personnel to conduct decommissioning activities. The
amendment request describes an acceptable organizational structure and
presents minimum qualifications for safety related personnel.
4.7 ALARA Plan
Mallinckrodt has committed to keeping radiation exposures to
workers and the environment ALARA, by implementing health safety
practices
[[Page 27010]]
specified in the Radiation Protection Program. The remediation
contractor is responsible for implementing the Radiation Protection
Program. Under the Radiation Protection Program, the contractor is
required to consider how exposures will be kept ALARA in the
preparation of safety work permits. In addition, all individuals will
be trained in the concepts of ALARA before being allowed to work in
controlled areas.
The Radiation Protection Program requires that workers be
adequately trained. All unescorted individuals involved in C-T Project
decommissioning activities will be required to receive Industrial
Safety Training and Radiation Safety Training. All individuals will
receive Radiation Safety Training before entering a controlled area to
perform work.
Mallinckrodt will also implement an Environmental Safety Program to
monitor air and water effluents discharged during URO source removal.
Mallinckrodt will routinely collect samples or take measurements at
locations on-site, site boundaries, and off-site, to determine the
extent of environmental discharges.
Environmental sampling stations will collect continuous samples
during URO source removal activities to verify that there are no
significant adverse impacts to workers or the environment. Mallinckrodt
has also committed to monitor direct radiation using thermoluminescent
dosimeters (TLDs). TLDs will be placed at various locations around the
perimeter of the controlled area to ensure that direct radiation in
unrestricted areas does not exceed the public dose limits specified in
10 CFR 20.1301.
The Radiation Control and Environmental Safety Programs described
in the license amendment request are acceptable programs which should
keep radiation exposures to workers, and the environment ALARA.
5. Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Removal of the URO from Plant 6W contributes to the systematic
remediation of the C-T process areas at the St. Louis Plant. Removal of
the URO from Plant 6W was initially supposed to occur as part of Phase
2 decommissioning activities. Removal of the URO as a separate
licensing action, before the Phase 2 DP has been approved, provides
Mallinckrodt the opportunity to coordinate remediation activities of
Plant 6 with USACE and remove a significant source of radioactive
material from the St. Louis Plant site. There are two possible
alternatives to the proposed action: (1) No action alternative; and (2)
removal of URO during Phase 2 decommissioning activities.
The ``no action'' alternative is not an acceptable alternative
because the URO burial pits contain residual contamination exceeding
NRC's release criteria. Although the second alternative would be an
acceptable decommissioning approach, this alternative delays USACE
remediation activities in Plant 6W. Delaying USACE remediation
activities in Plant 6 increases the potential dose to Mallinckrodt
workers since a significant source of radioactive material remains on
site.
6. Affected Environment
As stated in the Background section above, MED-AEC contamination at
Mallinckrodt facility is being removed by USACE under FUSRAP. USACE
developed a preferred cleanup approach for the MED-AEC contamination,
based on the data and findings presented in four documents: (1)
Remedial Investigation Report; (2) Baseline Risk Assessment; (3)
Initial Screening of Alternatives; and (4) Feasibility Study.
Section 2.2 of the Feasibility Study provides an evaluation of the
affected environment surrounding the Mallinckrodt facility. The
findings in Section 2.2 of the Feasibility Study also apply to
remediation of the C-T process areas. The NRC staff incorporates by
reference the Feasibility Study's Section 2.2 discussion of the
following topics: (1) Land use and recreational and esthetic resources;
(2) Climatology, meteorology, and air quality; (3) Geology and soils;
(4) Water resources; (5) Biological resources; (6) Threatened and
endangered species; (7) Wetlands and floodplains; (8) Population and
socioeconomics; and (9) Historical, archeological, and cultural
resources.
7. Environmental Impacts
7.1 Radiological Impacts
Removal of the URO from Plant 6W creates a potential for
radiological environmental impacts. Radiological environmental impacts
that could result from remediation activities include exposure,
inhalation, and ingestion hazards to workers and the public. These
hazards could occur during the excavation and handling of the URO and
surrounding soil.
Mallinckrodt has committed to perform work activities in accordance
with a Health and Safety Program as described in the amendment request.
The Health and Safety Program will consist of: (1) An Industrial Safety
Program; (2) a Radiation Protection Program; and (3) an Environmental
Safety Program. The Radiation Protection Program will contain controls
to monitor exposures to workers. Action levels have been established
based on 10 CFR 20, Appendix B. If action levels are exceeded,
Mallinckrodt will take corrective action, as necessary. The Radiation
Protection Program will keep exposures due to ingestion and inhalation
ALARA by controlling and monitoring airborne releases in work areas,
and by utilizing respiratory protection, as necessary.
Mallinckrodt will implement the NRC-approved Environmental Safety
Program developed for Phase 1 decommissioning activities to monitor air
and water effluents discharged during the URO source removal action. If
necessary, Mallinckrodt will revise elements of the Phase 1
Environmental Safety Program to effectively control URO removal
activities. Mallinckrodt will collect air and water samples on-site and
off-site routinely to determine the extent of environmental discharges.
Mallinckrodt does not anticipate the need for effluent air monitoring
since there will likely be no point sources of effluent air. However,
if such a need arises, Mallinckrodt will use aN exhaust ventilation
system, and the effluent air will be sampled and analyzed. Mallinckrodt
will provide environmental monitoring stations to verify that there are
no significant adverse impacts to the workers or the environment.
Mallinckrodt has committed to minimize the production of
contaminated liquids. There are four potential sources of contaminated
liquids: Water collection in an excavation pit; sink and shower water;
fluids produced by decontamination of equipment; and water used for
dust suppression. Sink and shower water is expected to contain
insignificant amounts of radioactivity and will be discharged into the
sewer in accordance with 10 CFR Part 20.2003. If rain water or surface
water is collected, it will ordinarily be used for dust suppression of
URO and adjacent soils destined for NRC-approved disposal. Aqueous
waste from decontamination fluids and dust suppression containing
potentially significant concentrations of radionuclides will be
filtered to remove the solids, sampled and analyzed to estimate the
concentration in the sewerage. The concentration will be compared with
10 CFR Part 20 concentration limits and the total inventory discharged
will be calculated.
Mallinckrodt has also committed to monitor direct radiation using
TLDs. TLDs will be placed at various locations around the perimeter of
the controlled
[[Page 27011]]
area for the source removal action, to ensure that direct radiation
from the URO does not exceed the limits specified in 10 CFR 20.1301 for
unrestricted areas.
Mallinckrodt has established action levels to aid in compliance
with environmental safety regulations in 10 CFR Part 20. The action
levels for environmental air, effluent water and sewage are 0.75, 0.6,
and 0.6 of the limits, respectively. If action levels are exceeded,
Mallinckrodt will take corrective actions.
Mallinckrodt has performed dose assessments to determine an
occupational exposure estimate, and the dose associated with credible
accident scenarios. The occupational exposure estimate for a
representative worker during URO removal is 83 mrem/yr.
7.2 Non-Radiological Impacts
The St. Louis Plant is located in an area, which is completely
developed with no pre-settlement vegetation existing. Land use within a
one mile radius from the site is a mixture of commercial, industrial,
and residential. Commercial or industrial properties in the area
include McKinley Iron Company, Thomas and Proetz Lumber Company, and
several railroad properties. The USACE Feasibility Study states that
there was no sign of federal or state designated endangered or
threatened species present at the Mallinckrodt facility. The
Feasibility Study also states that the Mallinckrodt facility does not
contain any historic buildings. Further, available data indicate that
there are no archeological sites in the area.
The residential population within one mile of the site is
approximately 10,000 persons, with most of the residences located on
the opposite side of Interstate 70. The URO removal action is a small
scale activity requiring relatively few workers. Due to the small
number of workers and the short duration of the project, this effort
should have minimal socioeconomic impact on the local community.
NRC staff performed an environmental justice review of the
Mallinckrodt site for approval of the Phase 1 DP. The review concluded
that since Phase 1 decommissioning activities result in an
insignificant risk to the public health and safety, and the human
environment, that there are no environmental justice issues with this
site. As was the case during Phase 1 decommissioning activities, URO
burial removal activities result in an insignificant risk to the public
health and safety, and the human environment. Therefore, the conclusion
that there is no environmental justice issue associated with this site
remains valid.
Air quality and noise impacts may result from excavation and
handling of URO and surrounding soil, and transport of waste.
Mallinckrodt will use appropriate dust control measures during URO and
soil handling. These activities will be short in duration; and,
therefore, will have minimal impact on the surrounding community and
environment.
The St. Louis Plant can be serviced by road, rail, and river barge.
Interstate 70 (east and west) can be accessed within one mile from the
St. Louis Plant. Rail lines from the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy
Railroad, the Norfolk and Western Railroad, and the St. Louis Terminal
Railroad Association, transect the St. Louis Plant from north to south.
URO and adjacent soils will be shipped from the site by rail. The total
volume of such materials to be shipped from the site is estimated to be
approximately 3495 yd\3\. Approximately 50 gondola-type rail cars will
be required to transport the URO and adjacent soil to a disposal
facility. This small number of rail cars will have an insignificant
impact on the local rail traffic. The staff incorporates by reference,
the USACE Feasibility Study, Appendix C, ALARA Analysis, which
calculates the risk to a worker or member of the public during waste
transport.
7.3 Connected Action
Mallinckrodt has determined that it may be beneficial to demolish
Building 101. As stated above, such action would make Trench 10 fully
accessible, and allow all URO from Plant 6W to be moved offsite.
Building 101 was not used for C-T processing activities. Mallinckrodt
performed a final status survey on the exterior of Building 101 as part
of Phase 1 decommissioning activities. A final status survey report was
submitted to NRC in March 2004 (ML042600286). NRC released Building 101
for unrestricted use in February 2007 (ML070530675) and it is currently
used by Mallinckrodt for business operations not regulated by the NRC.
Ordinarily, since Mallinckrodt could demolish Building 101 at any time
without NRC approval, such action would not be a federal action
requiring the NRC staff's environmental review.
However, it appears that but for the need to make the URO in Trench
10 accessible, in furtherance of the removal action being evaluated in
this EA, Building 101 would not be slated for demolition at this time.
This nexus between the potential demolition and the licensed action
brings Building 101 within the scope of this EA.
Building 101 is a 243 ft by 23 ft cinder block building constructed
in 1973. As noted above, although Building 101 was not used for C-T
processing activities, Mallinckrodt surveyed the exterior of the
building for radioactivity. The NRC performed a confirmatory survey of
the building exterior during a February 2007 inspection (ML070530262)
and released the building for unrestricted use the same month. Since
radioactivity is not a concern, demolition of building 101 will involve
the use of standard demolition equipment. The volume of building rubble
to be disposed should be less than 2,500 yd\3\. Since radioactive
material is not a concern and the building has no historic
significance, the environmental impacts associated with the demolition
of this building will be equal to the demolition of any cinder block
building in an industrial area. The volume of rubble to be transported
from the site as the result of Building 101's demolition would have an
insignificant impact on the local transportation system.
The URO in Trench 10 has the same radiological characteristics as
the URO in the other nine trenches, and the same removal techniques
would be used for it. Mallinckrodt must conclude a delineation
agreement with USACE prior to removal of URO from Trench 10.
Accordingly, the NRC staff has determined that Mallinckrodt may
remove URO from Trench 10 under this proposed license amendment. This
conditional approval is reflected in License Condition 19.
7.4 Cumulative Impacts
The URO removal action will have a small, insignificant cumulative
impact on conditions at the Mallinckrodt site. The Plant 6W area is a
small part of Mallinckrodt's larger operating industrial facility at
the St. Louis site. The volume of material to be removed from the
trenches is relatively small compared to volume of material to be
removed by USACE from Plant 6 under FUSRAP. The URO removal activities
are expected to be completed within 12 months.
The Mallinckrodt facility is an operating industrial facility
located in a highly industrial area. Further, USACE is conducting
remedial activities at the site. As such, the increased noise from URO
removal activities will be insignificant.
As described earlier, the URO removal action will generate a
relatively small volume of material that will be transported from the
site to a disposal facility. While local rail traffic will thus be
increased, the small number of rail
[[Page 27012]]
cars required will have an insignificant cumulative impact on the
transportation system in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
The small short term negative impacts associated with the URO
removal action are outweighed by the significant positive impact
resulting from the removal of URO from the Mallinckrodt facility.
Removing the URO from Plant 6W now will reduce the potential
radiological dose to Mallinckrodt workers later, when such workers will
be conducting Phase 2 decommissioning activities.
8. Agencies and Persons Consulted and Sources Used
Much of the information contained in this EA was taken directly
from the Mallinckrodt license amendment request and the USACE
Feasibility Study. In preparation of the Feasibility Study, USACE
consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State
Historic Preservation Office. Since Plant 6W URO removal activities
will be occurring at the same site as USACE decommissioning activities,
with a much more limited scope, NRC has utilized the input of the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Historic Preservation Office by
reference of the Feasibility Study. NRC staff provided a draft of this
EA to the State of Missouri for review, and the State's concerns were
addressed in the final EA.
9. Conclusion
Radiological exposures to workers and the public will be in
accordance with 10 CFR Part 20 limits. NRC believes the amendment
request contains sufficient controls to keep potential doses to workers
and the public from direct exposure, airborne material, and released
effluents, ALARA. The staff also believes that the remediation
alternative proposed by Mallinckrodt minimizes the potential dose to
workers and members of the public, and other environmental impacts.
10. List of Preparers
This EA was prepared by John Buckley, Senior Project Manager,
Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, Office of
Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs. No
other sources were used beyond those referenced.
11. Finding of No Significant Impact
Pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51, NRC has prepared this EA related to the
approval of Mallinckrodt's license amendment request for removal of URO
from Plant 6W. On the basis of this EA, NRC has concluded that this
Federal action would not have any significant effect on the quality of
the human environment and does not warrant the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement. Accordingly, it has been determined
that a Finding of No Significant Impact is appropriate.
Since the conclusion of this EA is that the remediation of the
Plant 6W URO burial trenches of Mallinckrodt's St. Louis Plant
represents no significant risk to the public health and safety and the
human environment, NRC concludes that there are no environmental
justice issues related to the URO removal action.
The aforementioned documents related to this proposed action are
available for public inspection and copying at NRC's Public Document
Room at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
20852-2738.
12. List of References
12.1 Mallinckrodt Chemical, Inc., Request for NRC License Amendment
To Remove URO From Plant 6W, November 20, 2007.
12.2 Mallinckrodt Chemical, Inc., Mallinckrodt C-T Project
Decommissioning Plan (DP), Part 1, January 18, 2001.
12.3 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Proposed Plan for the St. Louis
Downtown Site, April 1998.
12.4 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Feasibility Study for the St.
Louis Downtown Site, April 1998.
12.5 NRC, Policy and Guidance Directive FC 83-23, ``Termination of
Byproduct, Source, and Special Nuclear Material Licenses,'' November
1983.
12.6 NRC, 10 CFR part 20, ``Radiological Criteria for License
Termination: Final Rule,'' July 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Buckley, Decommissioning and
Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate, Division of Waste Management
and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State Materials and
Environmental Protection Programs. Telephone: 301-415-6607, e-mail:
[email protected].
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of April 2008.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Rebecca Tadesse,
Acting Deputy Director, Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing
Directorate, Division of Waste Management, and Environmental
Protection, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental
Protection Programs.
[FR Doc. E8-10482 Filed 5-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P