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Show IVIore testing on nuclear waste sites in S. E Utah A briefing was held by the federal Department of Energy regarding the resumption of tests in the Paradox Basin to determine the feasibility of nuclear waste disposal in underground salt deposits, ft The announcement was made in Salt Lake City following a briefing by Governor Scott . Matheson. A DOE spokesman stated that three sites in southeastern south-eastern Utah have been selected sel-ected for additional tests. The sites include Gibson Dome, 25 miles south of Mo-ab; Mo-ab; Elk Ridge, 20 miles west of Blanding and Salt Valley, 25 northwest of Moab near Arches National Park. Three test holes were drilled drill-ed into the Salt Valley salt formation last year, ranging in depth from 1,300 to 4,000 ft. Approximately October 1, deep hydro logic and geologic geolo-gic drilling will begin in the Elk Ridge and Gibson Dome areas. At least two 5,000 ft. holes are expected to be drilled in each. In addition, a network of 24 microseismic earthquake earth-quake stations will be installed install-ed between Moab and the San Juan River. They willmeas-ure willmeas-ure movement along fault -lines. Environmental investigations investi-gations will parallel geologic geolo-gic studies, including examination exam-ination of wildlife, land uses, surface water, drainage, meteorology, met-eorology, populated areas, socio-economic impacts and additional ad-ditional geologic aspects. Field work is expected to be completed by the summer of 1980. Governor Matheson has insisted in-sisted that local officials be consulted about an disposal projects. TheDOE has agreed and announced that a meeting will be held with the Grand County Commission regarding regard-ing the Salt Valley site. The cost of such a project would be approximately $2 billion over a 30 year period. $1 billion would be used for operating costs. The waste disposal project could involve in-volve from 1,000 to 1,500 employees. |