[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38148-38151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16086]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[License No. Stb-401, Docket No. 40-6563; NRC-201-0241]
Finding of No Significant Impact Related to Approval of the
Mallinckrodt C-T Phase 2 Decommissioning Plan; Mallinckrodt, Inc.; St.
Louis, MO
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
approval of the Mallinckrodt Inc. (Mallinckrodt or the licensee)
columbium-tantalum (C-T) Phase 2 Decommissioning Plan (DP), Revision 2,
originally submitted to NRC in May 2003, and resubmitted on October 14,
2008 (ML083150652) with revisions on June 3, 2010 (ML101620140). In the
DP, Mallinckrodt is proposing to decommission grade-level and below-
grade building slabs, paved surfaces, and subsurface materials affected
by former C-T operations, at its St. Louis site. If properly
implemented, the DP will lead to the successful remediation of the C-T
areas, their release for unrestricted use, and the termination of
License STB-401.
Below is a summary of the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by
the staff to support approval of Mallinckrodt's Phase 2 DP. The
complete EA is available through NRC(s Agencywide Documents Access and
Management System (ADAMS), Accession No. ML091960322.
Environmental Assessment
Introduction
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 the Manhattan Engineering District and the Atomic
Energy Commission (MED-AEC) to process uranium ore to produce uranium
for development of atomic weapons. In 1961, pursuant to 10 CFR part 40,
Mallinckrodt was issued a source material license (License No. STB-401)
authorizing the possession
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and use of materials containing uranium and thorium isotopes. Under
this license, from 1961 to 1987, Mallinckrodt extracted C-T from
natural uranium ores and tin slags, and purchased and processed
materials for C-T production.
Radiological contamination at the site resulted from MED-AEC and C-
T processing activities. MED-AEC contamination is being remediated by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under the Formerly Utilized
Sites Remedial Action Program (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.
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
Mallinckrodt has requested that NRC approve the Phase 2 DP, to
support the eventual termination of License No. STB-401. Before the
license can be terminated, NRC must be assured that the areas of the
Mallinckrodt facility associated with the C-T project meet NRC(s
release criteria stated in 10 CFR 20.1402.
Mallinckrodt elected to decommission the C-T project areas of the
site in two phases. In Phase 1, Mallinckrodt decommissioned the
buildings and equipment to the extent necessary, to meet NRC's criteria
for unrestricted release. Phase 1 of the decommissioning project was
completed in February 2007. Phase 2 will include the remediation of the
building slabs and foundations, paved surfaces, and all subsurface
materials to the extent necessary, to meet NRC's unrestricted release
criteria.
Proposed Action
The ultimate goal of the C-T project decommissioning is to
remediate those areas of the site associated with C-T production, to
the extent necessary, to terminate License STB-401. Phase 2
decommissioning activities will include the remediation of the building
slabs and foundations, paved surfaces, and all subsurface materials.
Most of the decommissioning activities will take place in Plant 5.
However, the wastewater neutralization basins in Plant 7W will also be
decommissioned.
Mallinckrodt will conduct its non-NRC licensed activities while
decontamination and remediation are performed. Mallinckrodt selected
the following decommissioning strategy: (1) Remediate remaining floor
slabs and subsurface soils and systems by decontamination or excavation
and disposal followed by a final status survey (FSS); (2) remediate
former wastewater neutralization basins by decontamination or
demolition and disposal followed by FSS where appropriate; and (3)
remediate sewer systems affected by the C-T operations. Mallinckrodt
has committed to conducting a FSS consistent with the approach
presented in the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation
Manual, to the extent possible.
Mallinckrodt will determine whether decontamination and FSS of
individual materials in place is preferred over excavation and offsite
disposal. The Phase 2 DP is based on the following preferences: (1)
Excavation or demolition and disposal when it is cost-effective; (2)
decontamination when it is judged to be cost-effective compared to
disposal; and (3) decontamination or removal of selected contaminated
areas of pavement and subsurface material to site specific derived
concentration guideline levels (DCGLs), to reduce the volume of waste
and therefore minimize the cost of disposal.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
The remediation approach proposed by Mallinckrodt provides for the
systematic remediation of the C-T process areas at the Mallinckrodt
site. This approach provides Mallinckrodt the opportunity to remove
contaminated subsurface C-T process material from the site, and release
C-T process areas for unrestricted use. The ``no action'' alternative
is the only alternative to the proposed action. The ``no action''
alternative is not acceptable because the C-T process areas contain
residual contamination that presently exceeds NRC's criteria for
unrestricted release and these areas must be remediated to protect
public health and safety upon ceasing operations under 10 CFR part 40
requirements.
Affected Environment
As stated in the Introduction, 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 and the Feasibility Study is
incorporated by reference. The following issues are addressed in the
Feasibility Study: (1) Land use and recreational and aesthetic
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 flood plains; (8)
population and socioeconomics, and (9) historical, archeological, and
cultural resources.
Environmental Impacts
Remediation of the C-T process area subsurface material creates a
potential for radiological environmental impacts. Radiological
environmental impacts that could result from remediation activities
include exposure, inhalation, and ingestion hazard to workers and the
public. These hazards could occur during the excavation of floor slabs
and foundations, soil, and sewerage.
Mallinckrodt has committed to perform work activities in accordance
with a Health and Safety Program as described in Section 3 of the DP.
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 part 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
as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA) by controlling and
monitoring airborne releases in work areas, and by utilizing
respiratory protection, as necessary.
Mallinckrodt will implement an Environmental Safety Program to
monitor air and water effluents discharged during decommissioning.
Mallinckrodt will routinely collect samples or take measurements at
locations on-site, site boundaries, and off-site, to determine the
extent of environmental discharges during remediation. Environmental
sampling stations will collect continuous samples during demolition and
decontamination activities to verify that there are no significant
adverse impacts to workers or the public. NRC staff will evaluate
implementation of the Environmental Safety Program during routine
inspections to ensure that Mallinckrodt is adequately monitoring
effluent releases.
Mallinckrodt has committed to minimize the production of
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contaminated liquids. Phase 2 decommissioning activities will not
involve the use of significant chemicals requiring treatment and
disposal. Mallinckrodt expects minimal use of water for dust control
during soil remediation and demolition of paved surfaces. Mallinckrodt
will not generate free water during dust control. The most likely
source of potentially contaminated liquids is stormwater from active
remediation areas. Stormwater may contain contaminated soil particles.
Soil management activities will minimize the exposure of contaminated
soils to stormwater. Stormwater in active remediation areas will be
collected and stored in temporary, above ground tanks. Collected water
will be sampled and filtered, as necessary, to remove the solids, and
analyzed to estimate the concentration in the water. The concentration
will be compared with 10 CFR part 20, concentration limits, and the
total inventory discharged will be calculated. All contaminated liquids
will be disposed to the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD)
following confirmation that MSD specifications for sampling, analysis,
and pre-treatment have been met.
Mallinckrodt has also committed to monitor direct radiation using
thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). TLDs will be placed at various
locations around the perimeter of the restricted area to ensure that
direct radiation in unrestricted areas does not exceed the limits
specified in 10 CFR 20.1301.
Mallinckrodt has established action levels for air and water
effluents based on the levels provided in 10 CFR part 20, appendix B,
Tables 2 and 3. 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.
The Mallinckrodt site 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 is 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.
NRC staff previously performed an environmental justice review of
the Mallinckrodt site for Phase 1 decommissioning activities. That
review concluded that Phase 1 decommissioning activities would result
in an insignificant risk to the public health and safety, and the human
environment (see ML021230256). Because the scope of Phase 2
decommissioning activities is similar to the Phase 1 activities, no
environmental justice impacts are expected from the proposed action.
Air quality and noise impacts will result from excavation and
transport of waste. Mallinckrodt will use appropriate dust control
measures during excavation. These activities will be sporadic in nature
and short in duration, and therefore, will have minimal impact on the
surrounding community and environment.
The Mallinckrodt site can be serviced by road, rail, and river
barge. Interstate 70 (east and west) can be accessed within one mile
from the site. Rail lines from the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
Railroad, the Norfolk and Western Railroad, and the St. Louis Terminal
Railroad Association, transect the Mallinckrodt site from north to
south. Any waste to be disposed of offsite will be transported from the
site by rail. Mallinckrodt estimates that the volume of waste to be
transported will be approximately 59,100 ft \3\. This volume of waste
will require less than 50 rail cars over an 18-month time period.
Therefore, the impact of transporting waste from the site will be
insignificant.
Agencies and Persons Consulted and Sources Used
Much of the information contained in the EA was taken directly from
the Mallinckrodt DP 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 Phase 1
decommissioning activities will be occurring at the same site where
similar USACE actions are also occurring, but 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 to the
Feasibility Study. NRC staff provided a draft of the EA to the State of
Missouri for review.
Conclusion
Radiological exposures to workers and the public will be in
accordance with 10 CFR part 20 limits and will be ALARA. NRC finds that
the DP contains sufficient controls to keep potential doses to workers
and the public from direct exposure, airborne material, and released
effluents, below the 10 CFR part 20 dose limits. The staff also finds
that the remediation alternative proposed by Mallinckrodt minimizes the
potential dose to workers and members of the public, and other
environmental impacts.
List of References
1. Mallinckrodt Chemical, Inc., Mallinckrodt C-T Decommissioning
Project, C-T Phase II Decommissioning Plan, Revision 2, October 14,
2008, (ADAMS No. ML083150652).
2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Proposed Plan for the St. Louis
Downtown Site, April 1998.
3. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Feasibility Study for the St.
Louis Downtown Site, April 1998.
4. NRC, Policy and Guidance Directive FC 83-23, ``Termination of
Byproduct, Source, and Special Nuclear Material Licenses,'' November
1983.
5. NRC, 10 CFR part 20, ``Radiological Criteria for License
Termination: Final Rule,'' July 1997.
6. NRC, Environmental Assessment Related to the Approval of the
Mallinckrodt C-T Phase 2 Decommissioning Plan, for Mallinckrodt
Inc., St. Louis, Missouri, June 2009, (ADAMS No. ML091960322).
Finding of No Significant Impact
Pursuant to 10 CFR part 51, NRC has prepared an EA related to the
approval of Mallinckrodt's DP. On the basis of that EA, NRC has
concluded that the proposed NRC action would not have any significant
affect 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 EA finds that the remediation of the C-T project areas of
Mallinckrodt's site represents no significant risk to the public health
and safety, and the human environment, NRC concludes that there are no
environmental justice issues associated with the proposed remediation
activities.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John T. Buckley, Senior Project
Manager, Reactor Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management
and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State Materials and
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Environmental Management Programs. Telephone: (301) 415-6607, e-mail:
[email protected].
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of June 2010.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Lydia W. Chang,
Acting Deputy Director, Decommissioning and Uranium Recovery Licensing
Directorate, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection,
Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2010-16086 Filed 6-30-10; 8:45 am]
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