94-6410. Western Nuclear Incorporated; Split Rock Mill

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6410]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 18, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 40-1162]

 

Western Nuclear Incorporated; Split Rock Mill

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of intent to amend Source Material License SUA-56 to 
modify the erosion protection design of the plan for reclamation of the 
Split Rock Mill disposal area which is located in Fremont County, 
Wyoming, and Notice of Opportunity to request a hearing.

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1. Proposed Action

    By letters dated October 29, 1993, and February 7, 1994, Western 
Nuclear Incorporated (WNI), holder of Source Material License SUA-56 
for the Split Rock Mill in Wyoming, requested an amendment to revise 
the approved reclamation plan for the Split Rock Mill disposal area. 
Proposed revisions included a new radon attenuation barrier design and 
minor changes to the flood protection design.

2. Reason for Request to Amend License

    WNI proposes to revise the design of the radon attenuation barrier 
by using clay soil from an offsite source instead of the onsite soil 
previously proposed. In addition, the alignment of the diversion 
ditches is being altered slightly based on actual field surveys.
    The proposed revisions will not significantly change the approved 
reclamation plan. The tailing will still be reclaimed in place by 
covering them with a clay layer protected by a layer of rock. Runoff 
originating in areas adjacent to the tailings will still be diverted 
around the pile as was originally proposed. The only notable change in 
the proposal is that the clay to be used for the radon attenuation 
barrier will be obtained from an offsite source instead of the onsite 
borrow areas originally proposed. An environmental assessment of this 
action is not required as the Bureau of Land Management has already 
issued a ``Decision of Record and Finding of No Significant Impact'' 
for the soil borrow area. The date of that decision was September 29, 
1993. In conjunction, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 
issued Small Mining Permit No. 694 on December 13, 1993, for this 
action.
    Paragraph (c)(11) of 10 CFR 51.22, categorically excludes the 
requirement for an environmental assessment for this licensing action. 
That paragraph states that the categorical exclusion applies to the 
issuance of amendments to licenses for uranium mills provided that : 
(1) There is no significant change in the types or significant increase 
in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite, (2) there 
is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational 
radiation exposure, (3) there is no significant construction impact, 
and (4) there is no significant increase in the potential for or 
consequences from radiological accidents.
    The licensing action meets these criteria as the proposed amendment 
involves only minor changes in the erosion protection and radon 
attenuation barrier designs and in the source of soil borrow. An 
environmental report is not required from the licensee since the 
amendment does not meet the criteria of 10 CFR 51.60(b)(2).

3. Notice of Opportunity to Request Hearing

    In accordance with title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 2 
(10 CFR 2), paragraph 2.1205(c)(1), interested parties are hereby 
notified that they may request a hearing pursuant to the procedures set 
forth in 10 CFR 2.1205 within thirty ( 3) days of the publication of 
this notice.

    Signed in Denver, Colorado this 8th day of March 1994.
Raymond O. Gonzales,
Acting Director, Uranium Recovery Field Office.
[FR Doc. 94-6410 Filed 3-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M