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Show THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 1991 And the biggest fear by far cornea from the tailing pond, or more accurately, the tailing pilo. During processing, largo amounts of rock were ground up and chemically treated to remove the uranium. What was left, the rock, chemical residue, and a small amount of radioactive material, was tossed out into the tailings pile. The plant began functioning In the 1950s, with little or no requirements for protection of the land. The tailings pile la not lined, and In fact sits directly on top of a layer of porous sand. There are two major worries with the pile. The first Is airborne radioactive contaminants, which are lifted by wind off of the pile and tossed Into the atmosphere. The NRC says the pile Is coated to prevent the wind from doing what it does best, and the air around the tailings pile Is monitored. While It occasionally "spikes, or shoots up In contaminants, It remains within the government's human safety Omits. The other concern Is from contaminants going down into the ground, both radioactive materials and heavy metals that are extremely toxic to humans and other creatures that walk, swim, and crawl through dally life. Atlas Is hoping that the materials will slowly be carried Into the Colorado River via underground water In amounts that will pose no safety danger. If that la the case, they can then pile dirt and cement on top of the pile, and forget about the whole thing. However, if the contaminants leaking down In the ground get Into say, the water table, It would be catastrophic for the Uoab Valley. Right now, the NRC Is deciding whether or not the Atlas scenario of safe flushing Into the river Is Indeed true. If It is, both the company and the government will save money by being able to cap the tailings pile. But If the toxic materials are leaking Into the groundwater, the tailings must be removed, and at a terrific cost. And there Is the fear that if leaking Is taking place, monitoring wells In the area won't pick up the problem until It la too late. The Atlas task force plans to find out as much as they can about the situation, and they hope to use whatever Influence a county committee can have to make sure something Is done, even If no one la quite sure yet what that is. SALE ITEMS -- TWO WEEKS ONLY-AUGU1-- PAGE 21 Castle Valley Inn Perhaps the only thing better than watching the moonrise over the dramatic red spire of Castle Rock is to watch it while soaking in the hot tub at the Castle Valley Inn. An excellent operation... " Americas Wonderful Little Hotels & Inns Relax in sophisticated comfort admidst some of Canyonland's most splendid scenery. Seven rooms, most with private bath ($42-75)- , fine dining for registered guests, eleven acres of orchard, lawns and fields. Grandview hot tub ... Full breakfast included in room rates. ST Innkeepers: Eric and Lynn Forbes Thomson. CVSR Box 2602, Moab, Utah 84532. 15 801-259-60- GRAND JUNCTION, CO 12 now on sale: "THINK FOR YOURSELF!" Bumper Stickers send $2.00EA S.A.S.E. P.O. BOX 25 Moab, UT 84532 AIRBRUSH SET EXPANDABLE BRIEFCASE 150-1-I- L 8 colon to choose from. List price 52.00 Professional quafity - dual action. List 85.00 $ 12 ODDJOBS carpentry 99 wallpapering you name it 259-587- 0 SKETCHING CASE 12 Rang brariipm wAm 24 Dbnn aatom colored pencil! 5 Rung drawing 1 Dixon pink carnation pandk 3 Prang chmoal pencil 1 metal pend diaipcner Dumbl hinged yellow plastic canying caw 1 Dtaon pHllmndadmMr w ART DEPOT 530 25 Road WHEfc T)it OUR It) GO? Monday-Saturda- 245-16- H y 9-- 5 rcr went' THAlAWAy 'S Main o Moab, Utah o 74 South bKOEfi UC the is BETHEA OF HMOH. 259-SUB- S |
