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Show 0 HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH 50 cents 83 No 24 Vol DOE March 24, 1999 proposes supplemental standards for several by Anna Adair emotions were expressed by Monticello Mixed citizens over a proposal by the Department of Energy. The DOE proposes supplemental standards in order to avoid cleaning up in certain areas. While the cleanup of tailings associated with the Monticello uranium mill is nearly complete, there are still numerous properties that may For be contaminated. instance, mill tailings may e have been used as a for city roads. However, sub-bas- testing for contaminated materials does not penetrate ashphalt. Contamination exceeding standards may be found in Monticello city streets, public utility lines, the embankment of highway 191, and possibly in other highway rights-of-wa- y within city limits. DOE The proposes supplemental standards in these areas because of the excessive costs associated with the cleanup. Supplemental standards are allowed when full removal would cause undue environmental damage or would result in excessive costs compared to health benefits. A public hearing on the issue was held March in Monticello. Some residents were concerned, saying that the City should look carefully 18 before accepting supplemental standards. They stated that a lot of money has been spent to clean the city and now the DOE wants to leave, without providing any assurance that the materials being left in the city wont spread. Representatives of the DOE said that it would take an the economy in San Juan County is beginning to show life after a slow winter. It was a long winter for those concerned about employment in San Juan County. In Monticello, the winter shutdown at the mill project, the sale of Mike Young car dealership, and financial difficulties at the San Juan Hospital contributed to a glum economy. In Blanding, the sale of Canyon Country grocery store and difficulties at other businesses increased unemployment. However, spring has brightened the economic outlook. Work at the Monticello mill tailing project is on, with full work crews expected on site. Memories Matter Most is the newest retail outlet in Monticello. Located in the old Monticello City Office building, M.M.M. features memory book supplies, copies, and a host of services. The car market looks better with the opening of Chief's Auto Sales and a new facility for Certified Ford. The Summo copper mine, which received government permits after a long and drawn supplemental standards was denied. Contaminated material still exists even after the cleanup was completed. I dont trust you, said Steele, I think youll tell me whatever you want. I think you should quit trying to bribe the city to take it over and just clean it up. Other members of the community said that it appears to be a practical approach for the final state of the cleanup. DOE is presenting a long- term surveillance and monitoring plan for the full-tim- sites Monticello-are- a required to provide the DOE with a list of planned improvements in rights-of-waand within 24 hours of all y, emergency excavations. The DOE would conduct driveby inspections of excavations and periodic inspec- tions after large storms looking for erosion damage. Contaminated material will be removed by the city and taken to the storage facility. DOE is working on a similar agreement with UDOT. Supplemental standards were also proposed on privately-owne- d property near estimated $16 million and an excavation of the entire city of remaining contamination in Clay Hill Drive and governUnder the ment property near the mill Monticello to clean under city Monticello. streets and utilities. They proposal, DOE would have a site. The DOE said remedbelieve that it is not viable to representative in Monticello iating these property could e basis. They result in loss of wildlife complete such a project, as on a would construct a temporary habitat, flora and topsoil. there is no way to know exactly On the two properties being what is under the streets and storage facility at the what levels of radiation exist repository which could be considered for supplemental accessed by the DOE standards, the property deed there. Resident Pete Steele asked representative, a city will be annotated to state that the DOE representatives, representative and a represen- radiological contamination exists on the property. Zoning Why did everyone go through tative from the Utah Deon the property will be all this so you can leave the job partment of Transportation. Under the agreement, the restricted and DOE testing half done? Steele related the situation City of Monticello would be and contamination removal on his property. He was forced to have his property cleaned when his request for would be needed before any habitable structures are built. The government-owne- d property would have use only for public recreation. Under the proposal, the City would receive a front-en- d loader and dump truck from the DOE. Fuel, repair and maintainance would be from City funds. DOE representatives said that there would be no expense or liability to the City of Monticello for managing the contaminated material for the DOE. A former DOE employee at the meeting questioned contamination being left on Montezuma Creek below the mill site where out battle, continues to be on hold. Copper prices were $1.10 when Summo began the process and are now $.61 a pound. There are two new auto repair facilities in Monticello. The Barton brothers - Chas and Steven - have opened the Car Care Center. In addition, Brad Eldredge is the owner of Advanced Automotive Repair. In the housing market, Dianne Nielson of Coldwell Banker says that it has been a busy winter for land and home sales. She reports that home and land prices are steady. In Blanding, Lloyd Crull of Clarks is working hard to solidify the use of the Canyon Country facility. That building is in too good of a location to sit empty, said Crull. Additionally, San Juan Credit Union is constructing a new building. Dr. Nathaniel Penn and Michelle Lyman will open a new health care clinic. Star Loan opened an office under manager Tim Reed. In Bluff, Amer and Cindy Tumeh are completing a maexpansion of the jor, Desert Rose Inn. 30-roo- m the contamination levels exceed for levels even the supplemental standards. DOE representatives claim the contamination is being properly taken care of. The former employee contested this claim stating she had personally tested areas that were not to standards. Key Economic Indicators for San Juan County Economy shows signs of life With the approach of spring, SINCE 1915 |