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Show THE ZEPHYR JAN-FE- B PAGE 5 1996 1 Atlas tailings reclamation to fail NRC regulations specifically forbid leaving a tailings pile on or near a "competent fault From the Utah Geological Survey work in the Moab Quadrangle, which was recently finished, the Task Force found out that the Moab Fault exactly bisects the tailings pond on top of the Adas tailings pile. The layers are different under the two halves of the pile defined by the fault.. The southeastern pad has river alluvium (sand and gravel) sitting directly on top of over a mile of Paradox Formation salt The other half has a rock shelf between the alluvial fill and the Paradox salt This introduces the possibility that if the Paradox salt was induced to rise or fall in the area by seismic activity, one half of the pile would move separately from the other. This could cause the cap on the pile to split open, releasing radon and radioactive dust into the MoabSpanlsh Valley area. This kind of seismic subsidence instability is unique to the Paradox Basin and the Atlas site, and can't be modeled by the usual seismic engineering models. Thus, the ultimate decision about whether the Atlas tailings site is too unstable to be used for a reclamation will be a matter of public opinion, as the science boils down to guesswork because of the unique situation. My hope is that the taxpayers will end up with accurate information about reclamation costs, and what is known and unknown about the risks and benefits of capping the pile in place versus moving it, so they can make an informed decision. I still suspect that the cost of reclamation, whatever it is, wili greatly exceed the $15 million total for which Atlas's current bond is adequate. I still think it is unfair to Adas to hold them accountable for more than their original reclamation plan bond. an in-pla- ce For a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Atlas Mill tailings reclamation, write: Myron Fliegel Uranium Recovery Branch US. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Waste Management Division of Low-Lev- el NMSS (5 E2) 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20850 DID YOU PAY FOR THIS NEWSPAPER? 2 OUT OF 3 STEAL IT. BUT ITS NOT TOO LATE. You can help the financial stability of the Zephyr and feel better about yourself by... HELP WANTED depositing 75 cents in the nearest coin tube, sending us a check for the proper amount, . or turning yourself in to the nearest law enforcement authority. Is looking for someone In the Soft Lake area to sell advertising aid possflbfy distribute papers In TIm ZEPHYR THANK YOU. Northern Utah next year. Calk 801 -2- or write 59-7773 v 111 flOSg |