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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, March 17. 1999 Public Comment Sought on the Application of Supplemental Standards to Certain Properties of the Monticello Vicinity Properties Site and the Monticello Mill Tailings Site An Explanation of Significant Difference allowing the application of supplemental standards to certain properties of the Monticello Vicinity Properties (MVP) Site and the Monticello Mill Tailings Site (MMTS) has been prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The supplemental standards establish alternative cleanup levels for soil contaminated with uranium mill tailings and uranium ore based on an evaluation of risk for specific exposure scenarios. The supplemental standards associated with the MVP site will be applied to city of Monticello within the Monticello city limits, and on a privately owned property with dense streets and utility rights-of-wa- y, along highway rights-of-wa- y pinon and juniper stands. Supplemental standards associated with MMTS (Operable Unit II) will be applied to densely vegetated hillsides south of Montezuma Creek and the millsite. The application of supplemental standards for MMTS Operable Unit III is for contaminated soils and sediments in wetlands and riparian areas adjacent to Montezuma Creek 0.4 to 1 .8 miles east of the millsite. accordance with Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 192, application of supplemental standards allows the development of cleanup standards based on an assessment of risk to human health and the environment for specific exposure scenarios. Unless supplemental standards are applied, 40 CFR requires removal of contaminated material to below 5 picocuries per gram (pCig) in the surface 6 inches and below 15 pCig in successively deeper layers. Supplemental standards may be allowed where removal of contamination would cause undue environmental damage or would result in excessive remedial action costs compared to any health benefits achieved by reduction in risk. Supplemental standards are proposed for the following areas: In 6-in- ch , Monticello City Streets and Utilities and Highways 191 and 666 Rights-of-WaContamination exceeding the 5 pCig and 15 pCig standards remains in city of Monticello rights-of-wa- y associated with streets and utilities, in the Highway 191 embankment just west of the millsite, and potentially in other within the Monticello city limits. State highway rights-of-wa- y y. Privately Owned Pinon and Juniper Property. On a privately owned property in the city of Monticello, contamination exceeding the 5 pCig and 15 pCig standards remains in a dense pinon and juniper stand on the property. Densely Vegetated Hillsides South of Montezuma Creek. As in the case of the privately owned pinon and juniper property, supplemental standards are proposed to maintain the stand of mature pinon and juniper trees and native vegetation currently on the properties and to prevent the potential loss of wildlife habitat. DOE plans to transfer ownership of the properties to the city of Monticello: the land will be designated open space and made available to the public in perpetuity. Use of these properties will be restricted to ensure that no habitable structures may ever be built on them; therefore, evaluation of residential or residential backyard exposure scenarios was not applicable. DOE-Own- ed Privately owned riparian and wetlands properties along Montezuma Creek. DOE is proposing to apply supplemental standards to the contaminated soils and sediments adjacent to Montezuma Creek in wetlands and riparian areas east of the millsite. The contamination in the Operable Unit III soil and sediment areas was transported by Montezuma Creek from the millsite to downstream locations. The proposed remedy includes partial removal of contaminated soil in conjunction with institutional controls that prohibit construction of habitable structures in contaminated areas. human-healt- h For each of the areas proposed for supplemental standards, a risk assessment was conducted scenarios. For each area, the additional human health risk from radioactive substances is negligible. incorporating applicable land-us- e site-specif- ic meeting will be held to present related information and to receive written and verbal comments. The public is invited to comment from March 5, 1999, through April 5, 1999. Supplemental standards documents are available for public review at the Monticello city offices. A public by mailing them to Audrey Berry, Public Affairs Specialist U.S. Department of Energy Grand Junction Office 2597 B 2A Road, Grand Junction, CO 81503 For more information contact: Joel Berwick Paul Mushovic David Bird DOE EPA UDEQ Project Manager (970) 248-60- 20 Project Manager ext. 6662 Individuals who need special accommodations to participate in the public meeting should call least 3 working days before the meeting. Project Manager (801)536-410- 0 1 -B- OO-399-561 8 to make arrangements at -- Page 11 |