[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

[[Page 38149]]

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

[[Page 38150]]

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

[[Page 38151]]

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]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P