[Federal Register: June 9, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 110)]
[Notices]
[Page 34422-34425]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09jn03-87]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 40-2377]
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
Related to the Approval of the Decommissioning Plan for Kaiser Aluminum
& Chemical Corporation, Tulsa Facility, Tulsa, OK
I. Introduction
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
approval of the Decommissioning Plan (DP) for Kaiser Aluminum &
Chemical Corporation (Kaiser), Tulsa Facility, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Ref.
1), and DP Addendum (Ref. 2) submitted to NRC on May 25, 2001, and May
9, 2002, respectively. Kaiser is obligated to remediate the Tulsa,
Oklahoma facility to meet the release criteria established in 10 CFR
part 20, subpart E. Kaiser has proposed a decommissioning approach that
will achieve unrestricted release of the site.
II. Environmental Assessment
Introduction
On March 7, 1958, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) issued Source
Material License No. C-4012 to Standard Magnesium Corporation (Standard
Magnesium), a Division of Kaiser Chemical Company, for possession of
magnesium-thorium alloy. Standard Magnesium purchased magnesium-thorium
scrap metal for reclaiming purposes. The end product from Standard
Magnesium's manufacturing process was magnesium anodes used for
cathodic protection on items such as tanks and pipelines. NRC License
No. STB-472 superceded License No. C-4012 on November 22, 1961. On June
5, 1968, License No. STB-472 was amended to include the possession of
uranium, so that Standard Magnesium could process magnesium slag
containing uranium. It does not appear that uranium was ever received
or processed on site. On March 16, 1971, License No. STB-472 was
terminated at the licensee's request.
In 1991, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was contracted, by
NRC, to review and evaluate all nuclear material licenses terminated by
NRC or its predecessor agencies since inception of material regulation
in the late 1940s. One of the objectives of this review was to identify
sites with a potential for meaningful residual contamination, based on
information in the license documentation. ORNL identified the Kaiser
site as having the potential for residual contamination. On November
17, 1993, an NRC inspector surveyed the Kaiser facility to assess the
potential for residual contamination at the site. The inspector found
contamination on the surface, indicating that waste magnesium-thorium
slag was improperly disposed of in the past. Off-site residual thorium
contamination was first identified during a subsequent NRC inspection
conducted on June 29, 1994. The off-site thorium contamination is due
to slag dumping in areas to the east and south of the current Kaiser
property boundary, on property which belonged to Standard Magnesium
during licensed operations. NRC notified Kaiser on August 19, 1994,
that the site had been added to the Site Decommissioning Management
Plan (SDMP). Kaiser has agreed to conduct remediation activities in
accordance with current regulations and release limits, even though it
is not currently a licensee.
A detailed discussion of the contamination present at the site is
presented in Chapter 4 of the DP, and Chapter 4 of the DP Addendum.
Purpose and Need for Proposed Action
The Kaiser property contains thorium contaminated dross/soil. This
property was owned and operated by Kaiser's predecessor, Standard
Magnesium. Standard Magnesium extracted magnesium from magnesium
thorium alloys. The thorium-bearing slag was disposed of on-site and
onto, what is now, land adjacent to the Kaiser property. Kaiser has
completed remediation of the adjacent property and is now proposing
plans to remediate its property.
Extensive site characterization studies conducted by Kaiser (Ref. 3
and Ref. 4), indicate that Th-228, Th-230 and Th-232 are present in
dross/soil on the Kaiser property. In 1995, an investigation was
performed to characterize soils and sludges in the Retention and
Reserve Pond areas containing thorium with respect to criteria used by
the NRC for release of sites for unrestricted use, as set forth in the
NRC Branch Technical Position, Disposal or On-Site Storage of Residual
Thorium or Uranium Wastes From Past Operations (Ref. 5). From the
characterization data, affected material volumes were estimated by
performing kriging calculations. The estimate from
[[Page 34423]]
the kriging calculations yielded a total volume of 113,504 cubic meters
(m3) [4,007,909 cubic feet (ft3)] of material
with Th-232 + Th-228 concentrations greater than 370 milli Becquerels
per gram (mBq/g) (10 picocuries per gram (pCi/g)), and a volume of
143,288 m3 (5,059,614 ft3) of material with
concentrations greater than 222 mBq/g (6 pCi/g). With the addition of
stockpiled soils, (8071 m3 (285,000 ft3) of
material moved on-site during the Adjacent Land Area Remediation
project), the kriging estimate for the total volume of affected soil in
the Retention Pond and Reserve Pond areas is 151,370 m3
(5,345,000 ft3). The thorium concentration for on-site
material ranges from approximately 74 mBq/g to 15.4 Bq/g (2 pCi/g to
416 pCi/g) for Th-232 + Th-228.
In the DP, Kaiser identified the potential for radioactive material
under concrete paved surfaces and building floor areas in the
operations area. Subsequently, Kaiser submitted a report on additional
site characterization activities conducted to identify radioactive
material located beneath structures in the operations area (Ref. 4).
Kaiser has determined that modifications of on-site buildings/
structures during operations resulted in surface and subsurface soil
contamination beneath concrete paved surfaces and building floor areas
in the operations area. Residual radioactive material exists in the
following areas: (1) Beneath a significant portion of the Flux Building
structure; (2) beneath the northern portion of the concrete pad which
was once used as a slag storage area; (3) beneath the north portion of
the Crusher Building structure and the paved area north/northeast of
the Crusher Building; (4) beneath the concrete paving area located west
of the Maintenance Building; and (5) beneath a portion of the concrete
area inside of the Warehouse Building. Kaiser estimates that
approximately 1699 m3 (60,000 ft3) of material
will be excavated during decommissioning activities in the former
operational area.
The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce residual
radioactivity at the Kaiser facility to a level that permits release of
the property for unrestricted use. NRC is fulfilling its
responsibilities under the Atomic Energy Act to make a decision on a
proposed action for decommissioning that ensures protection of the
public health and safety of the environment.
The Proposed Action
Kaiser is proposing to remediate its facility to meet the
unrestricted release criteria of 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E, by
identifying, excavating, and disposing material with Th-232
concentrations greater than 1151 mBq/g (31.1 pCi/g). Specifically,
Kaiser proposes to conduct excavation activities in four phases:
Phase 1--remove material stockpiled from the adjacent land
remediation. Materials from the existing stockpile will be transported
to a new storage area and sorted. Materials above 1151 mBq/g (31.1 pCi/
g) will be shipped to a disposal site licensed to receive the material.
Phase 2--excavate material from the former operational area and
transport to the pond parcel. Material with Th-232 concentrations
greater than 1151 mBq/g (31.1 pCi/g) will be segregated and shipped to
a disposal site licensed to receive the material. Material below
criteria will be placed in the pond parcel as backfill.
Phase 3--excavate and transport material from the reserve pond area
to the stockpile area for processing. Material above 1151 mBq/g
(31.1pCi/g) will be shipped to a disposal site licensed to receive the
material. Below-criteria material will be returned to the excavation.
Phase 4--excavate material from the retention pond area and former
spillway. Material will be transported to the stockpile area and
processed/disposed as in previous phases. It is estimated that
approximately 170,592 m3 (6,028,000 ft3) of
material will be excavated during decommissioning activities. Of this
volume, 33,984 m3 (1,200,000 ft3) will have Th-
232 concentration greater than 1151 mBq/g (31.1 pCi/g), and will
require off-site disposal.
A detailed discussion of the proposed decommissioning activities at
the site is presented in Chapter 8 of the DP, and Chapter 8 of the DP
Addendum.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
The proposed remediation approach allows Kaiser to meet NRC's
requirements for unrestricted release of the site, uses proven
technology, and is protective of human health and the environment.
However, there are two alternatives to the proposed action of
excavating and disposing of above-criteria material at a licensed
disposal facility; (1) To take no action, and (2) to excavate
contaminated material such that the site would be suitable for
restricted release. The no-action alternative is not acceptable because
soil contains thorium at levels which would cause a dose exceeding
NRC's limits presented in 10 CFR 20.1402 (25 mrem/yr (25mSv/yr) plus
ALARA). Kaiser does not consider the restricted release alternative to
be advantageous at this time for environmental, technical and economic
reasons. Therefore, these alternatives are not considered further in
this EA.
The Affected Environment and Environmental Impacts
The Kaiser facility is located at 7311 East 41st Street in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. It is situated in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, about 5 miles
southeast of the downtown center of the City of Tulsa. The site
initially occupied approximately 23 acres of land on both sides of 41st
Street. The remediation area is bounded by the south fence line, the
freshwater pond embankment on the west, Fulton Creek ditch on the
north, the east fence line, and the northern and western edges of the
flux building and paved area. The areas to be remediated include a
portion of the 4-acre operational area south of the railroad, and a
large portion of the 14-acre pond parcel located north of the railroad.
The pond parcel is divided into three parts--the unaffected freshwater
pond to the west (approximately 4 acres), the affected retention pond/
reserve pond area to the east (approximately 9 acres), and the area
containing the flux building and paved area (approximately 1 acre).
Remediation of the Kaiser property could result in both
radiological and non-radiological environmental impacts. Radiological
environmental impacts that could result from the remediation of the
facility include exposure, inhalation, and ingestion hazards to workers
and the public. These hazards could occur during excavation, transport,
or backfilling of the contaminated soil.
Potential radiological impacts during excavation and backfilling
include: (1) Exposure; (2) inhalation and ingestion to workers; and (3)
inhalation and ingestion to the public. Kaiser has committed to perform
work activities in accordance with the Health & Safety Plan (HSP)
(Chapter 10 of the DP), and the Environmental Health and Safety Plan
(EHSP) (Appendix E of the DP).
Worker doses due to direct exposure to the contaminated soil are
expected to be small. Site characterization revealed that 95 percent of
the material contains less than 1850 Bq/kg (50 pCi/g) thorium. Since
worker exposure time will be short, and thorium concentrations are
relatively low, Kaiser estimates that doses due to direct contact with
soil will be less than 1 millisievert per year (mSv/yr) [100 millirem
per year (mrem/yr)].
Inhalation and ingestion impacts will be minimized to the workers
and public by controlling airborne material levels.
[[Page 34424]]
Kaiser has determined that in order to reach 10 percent of the derived
air concentration (DAC) limit, the soil must exceed 7.4 Bq/g (200 pCi/
g) Th-232 + Th-228. Based on characterization information, Kaiser has a
good database to identify where soil exceeds 7.4 Bq/g (200 pCi/g) Th-
232 + Th-228. If the Th-232 + Th-228 is less than 7.4 Bq/g (200 pCi/g)
soil, Kaiser will perform occasional air sampling near the dust source.
If the soil exceeds 7.4 Bq/g (200 pCi/g) Th-232 + Th-228 where airborne
dust from nearby soil might reach 0.1 DAC, Kaiser will perform
continuous, stationary air sampling near the dust source while workers
are present.
Air sampling will also be conducted at work area boundaries to
evaluate off-site releases. Action will be taken if radioactivity
levels exceed 50 percent of the regulatory limit at the work area
boundary.
Kaiser's DP includes controls for keeping radiation exposures to
workers, and the public, ``as low as is reasonably achievable''
(ALARA). These controls include implementing: (1) The HSP and EHSP; (2)
radiation worker training; (3) a respiratory protection program; (4)
safety work permit procedures; and (5) radioactive material storage and
handling procedures. In addition, Kaiser presented an ALARA analysis
(Chapter 7 of the DP) which compared dose and cost of the planned
action with the cost benefits of incremental soil removal to further
reduce the dose. The analysis demonstrates that removal of additional
soil/dross is not cost beneficial.
The potential for radiological impacts during transportation is
limited. Spillage during transportation is the only credible scenario
for workers receiving a potential dose. Since any spills could be
immediately recovered, doses due to direct exposure will be minimal.
The potential exists for contaminated material to become airborne
during loading, unloading, or as a result of accidental spills. In the
DP, Kaiser commits to using a controlled material handling/processing/
storage area to package waste for disposal. Packaging will include
Department of Transportation and disposal facility approved containers.
After packaging, waste will be transferred to a secured on-site storage
area or loaded directly for shipping. Potential radiological impacts to
workers and the public due to airborne material will be controlled as
described above.
Potential radiological impacts resulting from the stockpiling of
the contaminated soil on Kaiser property include doses to the public
from airborne material and precipitation runoff. In the DP, Kaiser
commits to minimize the spread of contamination by lining the stockpile
area with a high density polyethylene liner, or equivalent. In
addition, berms or ditches will be constructed at the stockpile
perimeter to control precipitation falling on the stockpile. Kaiser has
committed to minimize storm water contact with stockpiled soil. Contact
may be minimized by: (1) Diverting water around remediation and
stockpile areas; (2) covering stockpiles; or (3) performing work during
dry season.
The potential for groundwater contamination at the site is minimal.
Site characterization sampling at the site indicates that the vertical
migration of the thorium is limited. Sampling revealed that thorium
concentrations dropped quickly in undisturbed soil.
Potential non-radiological impacts include; increased traffic from
transportation of waste, esthetic degradation, and economic impacts.
Waste will be transported by either rail or truck. Kaiser estimates
that approximately 33,984 m3 (1,200,000 ft3) of
material will be generated for off-site disposal. This volume of
material will require less than 1000 rail cars, which will be spread
over a three year time period. Therefore, the impact from
transportation should be insignificant.
The Kaiser facility 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 Union Pacific Railroad (right-of-way), Specific Systems, Beejay
Inc., Smalley Equipment, and Red Man. Kaiser has committed to restore
the site following remediation. Restoration will include; placement of
vegetative cover, seeding and mulching, permanent surface water
controls, and permanent erosion and sedimentation controls. U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service has determined that the proposed action will not
have an adverse impact on threatened and endangered species. The
Oklahoma Historical Society informed Kaiser that there are no historic
properties affected by the project. The Oklahoma Archeological Survey
has stated that no archeological sites are listed as occurring within
the project area and no archeological materials are likely to be
encountered. Further, the Creek Nation of Oklahoma informed Kaiser,
that there are no religious or sacred sites within the project area
that will be affected by the undertaking of this project. Therefore,
the esthetic impact from decommissioning activities should be
insignificant.
The residential population within a 3 km (1.9 miles) radius of the
site is approximately 24,000. Additionally, in 1990, there were
approximately 3500 business entities with in the same area. The
facility lies within two separate zones; the Industrial Moderate
District and Industrial Light District. Zoning within the vicinity of
the facility is not expected to change. According to Chapter 15.0 of
the DP, less than 15 workers will be required to perform
decommissioning activities. Due to the small number of workers required
for decommissioning, and the short duration of the project, this effort
should have minimal socioeconomic impact on the community.
Air quality and noise impacts will result from excavation and
transport of waste. Kaiser will use appropriate dust control measures
during excavation. These activities will be sporadic in nature and
relatively short in duration; and, therefore, will have minimal impact
on the surrounding community and environment.
NRC has found no other activities in the area that could result in
cumulative impacts.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
NRC staff provided a draft of the EA to Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality (ODEQ) for review. By facsimile dated May 30,
2003, ODEQ informed NRC that it had no comments on the draft EA.
NRC contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that the
proposed action will not have an adverse impact on threatened and
endangered species. Mr. Ken Frazier informed the NRC on April 16, 2003,
that the proposed action will have no impact on threatened and
endangered species.
Prior to approval of the Kaiser Phase 1 DP, NRC contacted the
Oklahoma Historical Society to determine if the proposed action would
have any adverse impacts on sacred or historical properties near the
Kaiser site. The Oklahoma Historical Society informed Kaiser, by letter
dated August 31, 1999, that there are no historic properties affected
by the project.
The Oklahoma Archeological Survey informed NRC, by letter dated
August 6, 1999, that no archeological sites are listed as occurring
within the project area and no archeological materials are likely to be
encountered.
The Creek Nation of Oklahoma informed Kaiser, by letter dated
August 5, 1999, that there are no religious or sacred sites within the
project area that will be affected by the undertaking of this project.
[[Page 34425]]
Conclusions
Kaiser has committed to perform remediation activities in
accordance with an acceptable DP. NRC staff believes the DP provides
adequate controls to keep potential doses to workers and the public
from direct exposure, airborne material, and released effluents, ALARA.
NRC staff also believes that the remediation alternative proposed
by Kaiser minimizes the potential dose to members of the public, and
other environmental impacts. Potential doses to members of the public
will be minimized by removing contaminated soil from Kaiser property
and making the site suitable for unrestricted release. The proposed
remediation alternative also minimizes the potential environmental
impacts. Kaiser will excavate and dispose of soil with Th-232
concentrations greater than 1151 mBq/g (31.1 pCi/g), thereby removing a
significant source of contamination from the local environment.
Therefore, the potential environmental impact from the proposed action
is insignificant.
List of Preparers
John Buckley, Project Manager, Division of Waste Management
J.C. Dehmel, Health Physicist, Division of Waste Management
Adrienne Lester, Environmental Scientist, Division of Waste Management
References
1. Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, ``Decommissioning Plan,''
June 2001.
2. Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, ``Decommissioning Plan
Addendum,'' May 2002.
3. Advanced Recovery Systems/Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., Kaiser
Aluminum Specialty Products, ``Field Characterization Report,'' April
18, 1995.
4. Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, ``Additional Site
Characterization Activities,'' November 2001.
5. NRC, Branch Technical Position, ``Disposal or Onsite Storage of
Thorium or Uranium Wastes from Past Operations,'' 1981.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
Pursuant to 10 CFR part 51, NRC has prepared this EA related to the
approval of Kaiser's DP. On the basis of this EA, NRC staff has
concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts on the
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the staff has determined
that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not warranted.
IV. Further Information
The licensee's request for the proposed action and other related
documents to this proposed action are available for public inspection
and copying for a fee at NRC's Public Document Room at NRC
Headquarters, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
Maryland 20852. These documents, along with most others referenced in
the EA, are available for public review through ADAMS, the NRC's
electronic reading room, at: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
Any questions with respect to this action should be referred to
John Buckley, Decommissioning Branch, Mailstop T-7F19, Division of
Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
Telephone: (301) 415-6607.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of May, 2003.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Daniel M. Gillen,
Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management, Office of
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 03-14397 Filed 6-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P