NERC-LV-539-8
SELECTED CENSUS INFORMATION
AROUND THE NEVADA TEST SITE
by
Environmental Surveillance
National Environmental Research Center
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Las Vegas, Nevada
n
February 1973
This project performed under a Memorandum of
Understanding No. AT(26-1)-539
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
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This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by the
United States Government. Neither the United States nor the
United States Atomic Energy Commission, nor any of their employ-
ees, nor any of their contractors, subcontractors, or their
employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes
any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, com-
pleteness or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product
or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not
infringe privately-owned rights.
Available from the National Technical Information Service,
U. S. Department of Commerce,
Springfield, VA. 22151
Price: paper copy $3.00; microfiche $.95
00,
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NERC-LV-539-8
SELECTED CENSUS INFORMATION
AROUND THE NEVADA TEST SITE
by
Environmental Surveillance
National Environmental Research Center
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Las Vegas, Nevada
Published February 1973
This project performed under a Memorandum of
Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
for the
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
-------
ABSTRACT
The National Environmental Research Center-Las Vegas (NERC-LV), Environmental
Protection Agency, conducts a comprehensive off-site radiological safety pro-
gram in support of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). To facili-
tate the planning and management of required surveillance and monitoring
operations, and to assess potential and actual population exposures resulting
from radioactive releases into the areas beyond the boundaries of the NTS,
the NERC-LV collects and maintains census information in the area around the
NTS.
This report summarizes this census information which includes the number
and distribution of resident adults and children, family milk cows, and
Grade A dairy cows located by azimuth and distance within a radius of
450 miles of Control Point 1 at approximately the center of the NTS,
36° 15' N, 116° 04' W.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURE 111
INTRODUCTION 1
BACKGROUND CONSIDERATIONS 2
CLOSE-IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION 4
ADJACENT STATES 5
REFERENCES 6
DISTRIBUTION
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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURE
Table Page
1. Number and distribution of adults by azimuth and 8
distance from NTS/CP-1.
2. Number and distribution of children by azimuth and 9
distance from NTS/CP-1.
3. Number and distribution of grade "A" cows by azimuth 10
and distance from NTS/CP-1.
4. Number and distribution of family cows by azimuth and 11
distance from NTS/CP-1.
Figure
1. Population distribution by azimuth/distance
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INTRODUCTION
In accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Environmental
Research Center-Las Vegas (NERC-LV) conducts a comprehensive off-site
radiological safety program in support of nuclear testing at the Nevada
Test Site (NTS). As part of this program, the NERC-LV collects and maintains
census information in the area around the NTS to facilitate the planning
and management of surveillance and monitoring operations, and to assess
potential and actual population exposures resulting from radioactive
releases into the areas beyond the boundaries of the NTS. Included in the
information compiled are data concerning the number of resident adults and
children, family milk cows, and Grade A dairy cows located in these off-
site areas.
This report summarizes the number and distribution of human population and
milk cow population by azimuth and distance from Control Point 1 (CP-1)
located roughly at the center of the NTS, 36° 15' N, 116° 04' W. Tables 1
and 2 show the population distribution out to a distance of 450 miles from
CP-1. Tables 3 and 4 list the milk cow distribution. The data are
presented in 30-degree sectors at distance increments of 25 miles. Figure 1
shows the azimuth/distance distribution of census data within a radius of
200 miles of CP-1.
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BACKGROUND CONSIDERATIONS
The State of Nevada has a total population of 488,738 (1970 census),
of which 395,336, or 80.9%, reside in urban areas and 93,402, or 19.1%
in the extensive rural areas. The Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas
account for approximately 98% of the total urban population. The Las
Vegas area is 73 miles from the NTS on an azimuth of 136° and the Reno
area 271 miles on an azimuth of 311°. The rural population is widely
scattered throughout the state with less than one-half the people residing
in areas with a population over 1,000. The urban population increased
97.4% over the previous census while the rural population increased 10.4%.
The major incorporated cities are experiencing the highest growth rate:
Carson City - 15,468, up 199.6%; Henderson - 16,395, up 30.9%; Las Vegas -
125,787, up 95.3%; North Las Vegas - 36,216, up 96.6%; Reno - 72,863, up
41.6%; and Sparks - 24,187, up 45.5%.
Nevada has approximately 9,000,000 acres in farm and ranch land and an
estimated 2,100 farms or ranches with an average size of 4,286 acres.
Nevada farms and ranches last year produced 1,009,000 tons of crops on
491,000 acres with a total value of $30,228,000. Principal crops
harvested include corn silage, 4,000 acres; all grain, 33,000 acres;
cotton and seed, 2,300 acres; alfalfa seed, 22,000 acres; and all hay,
428,000 acres.
Livestock production is the most important phase of agriculture. The
value of all livestock totaled $120,000,000. in 1971. Principal
livestock raised are cattle and calves, approximately 600,000 beef and
26,000 milk; sheep and lambs, about 239,000 head; and hogs and pigs,
about 9,400 head. Milk production is estimated at 139,000,000 pounds
at a market value of $7,564,000.
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Details of resident and milk cow population in the areas extending to a
distance of approximately 50 miles beyond the NTS and the Nellis Air
Force Range boundaries are updated continuously. Biennial detailed
surveys beyond the 50-mile radius are conducted to update census infor-
mation, including residents, family milk cows, and Grade "A" dairies
for the entire State of Nevada and portions of Arizona, Utah, Idaho and
California.
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CLOSE-IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION
The off-site area nearest the NTS is predominantly a rural area consisting
of a variety of farms and ranches ranging in size from a few acres to
several hundred thousand acres. Several small communities are located in
the area, the largest being the Pahrump valley. This rural community has
an estimated population of 1,100 and is located about 45 miles south of
the NTS. The Amargosa Farm area has a population of about 200 and is
located about 30 miles southwest. The Spring Meadows Farm area is a
relatively new development consisting of approximately 10,000 acres with
a population of somewhat more than 100. This area is about 35 miles south-
southwest of the NTS. The largest town in the near off-site area is
Beatty with a population of more than 500 and located about 40 miles to
the west. The region north and east is primarily open range land used
for cattle grazing, although not extensively. Some of the valleys in
this region are also used for winter grazing by certain sheep herders from
the northern part of the state. There are also 12 mining operations within
50 miles of the NTS, about five of which are operated on a regular basis.
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ADJACENT STATES
The Mohave Desert of California which includes Death Valley National Monu-
ment, lies along the southwestern border of Nevada. The population in the
Monument boundaries varies considerably from season to season with fewer
than 200 permanent residents and tourists in the area during any given
period in the summer months. However, during the winter as many as
12,000 tourists and campers can be in the area, particularly during the
major holiday periods. The largest town in this general area is Barstow,
located 165 miles south-southwest of the NTS with a population of over
12,000. The Owens Valley, where numerous farms, ranches and small towns
are located, lies 25 to 35 miles west of Death Valley. The largest town
is Bishop, located 140 miles west-northwest of the NTS with a population
of about 3,000,
The extreme southwestern region of Utah is somewhat more developed than the
adjacent part of Nevada. The largest town is Cedar City, with a population
of approximately 9,000 and located 175 miles east-northeast of the NTS.
The next largest community is St. George located 135 miles east of the NTS
with a population of somewhat more than 7,000. Both communities engage in
seasonal fruit and vegetable production. The area also has several small
Grade "A" dairies.
The extreme northwestern region of Arizona is mostly undeveloped range land
with the exception of that portion in the Lake Mead Recreation area.
Several small retirement communities are found along the Colorado River,
primarily at Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu. The largest town in the area is
Kingman, located 175 miles southeast of the NTS with a population of about
6,000.
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REFERENCES
1. U. S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Census Publications PC (1)-
A30, PHC (2)-30 and PC (VI)-30.
2. U. S. Department of Agriculture - "Nevada Agricultural Statistics
1970."
3. U. S. Department of Agriculture - Nevada Crop and Livestock Reporting
Service Bulletins.
4. Nevada Bureau of Mines - Report 18 and Associated Periodic Bulletins.
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A- ADULTS
C - CHILDREN
D - DAIRY COWS
F - FAMILY COWS
A - NO SURVEY CONDUCTED
Figure 1. Population distribution by azimuth/distance.
7
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Table 1. Number and distribution of adults by azimuth and distance from NTS/CP-1.
Distance
(Miles)
0-25
25-50
50-75
75-100
100-125
125-150
150-175
175-200
200-225
225-250
00 250-275
275-300
300-325
325-350
„_... ___
oOU-O/ 3
375-400
400-425
TOTAL
0-29
0
0
20
15
36
391
4,731
1,540
100
405
6,442
1,610
230
865
.j-o
t-OO
126
16,969
30-59
0
0
322
2
880
58
37
1,113
41
2,214
2,246
2,714
215
2
9,844
60-89
0
0
11
642
20
5,880
7,315
3,254
1,468
32
18,622
90-119
0
0
0
2,131
885
30
22
798
73
2,885
20,931
53
27,808
120-149
0
1,712
170,979
16,028
361
8,379
8,732
730
647
202
207,770
150-179
0
44
1,168
163
308
62
4,611
62
6,418
180-209
2
109
141
253
1,277
2,147
16,390
25,536
6
45,861
-«. /
210-239 !
0
154
82
31
3,263
13,474
3,081
0
4
20,089
240-269
0
856
11
141
2,338
3
0
2
3,351
270-299
0
32
25
38
724
7,969
1,268
1,349
14
11,419
300-329 a
0
0 ,
8
136
2,201
166
1,250
3,582
4,374
10,689
90,793
571
360
29
9
114,168
130-359
0
0
4
114
28
113
116
302
118
299
4,497
4,333
240
381
fiR?
\JUŁ-
11
2
11,240
Total
2
2,907
172,771
19,694
12,321
38,672
47,553
38,268
6,835
16,694
124,941
9,281
1,045
1,275
1 140
1 | 1 tVJ
152
8
493,559
= Survey incomplete.
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Table 2. Number and distribution of children by azimuth and distance from NTS/CP-1.
AZIMUTH (Degrees)
Distance
(Miles)
0-25
25-50
50-75
75-100
100-125
125-150
150-175
175-200
200-225
«, 225-250
250-275
275-300
300-325
opr ocn
Oty— OOU
•sen oyc
OQU "O/3
375-400
400-425
^
TOTAL
0-29
0
0
5
5
16
287
3,083
842
51
239
4,293
1,011
148
RQO
U.7U
nr-j
tOo
135
10,958
30-59
0
0
221
0
571
33
32
824
27
1,911
1,973
1,976
155
2
7,725
60-89
0
0
14
418
22
4,760
5,706
2,610
1,110
22
14,662
90-119
0
0
0
1,189
520
6
21
597
10
2,217
16,633
39
21,232
120-149
0
402
94,107
8,816
151
5,025
5,209
421
339
105
114,575
150-179
0
53
661
78
142
34
3,032
38
4,038
180-209
0
58
74
100
200
1,375
9,792
15,257
4
26,860
210-239
0
65
44
4
1,882
8,823
2,093
0
3
12,914
240-269
0
356
2
71
1,233
2
0
0
1,664
270-299
0
15
1
3
456
4,247
807
552
6
6,087
300-329
0
0
0
57
931
42
590
2,205
2,766
5,894
44,609
235
170
1?
1 C
2
57,513
330-359
0
0
1
40
11
51
63
106
56
112
2,737
2,190
108
PIP
C. \ C.
or*
oot
5
1
6,047
Total
0
949
95,130
10,781
6,135
24,685
30,428
23,452
4,365
10,478
70,267
5,451
581
fil A
Ol *T
fin?
wVJ /
146
6
284,275
= Survey incomplete.
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Table 3. Number and distribution of grade "A" cows by azimuth and distance from NTS/CP-1.
AZIMUTH (Degrees)
Distance
(Miles)
0-25
25-50
50-75
75-100
100-125
125-150
150-175
175-200
200-225
o 225-250
250-275
275-300
300-325
325-350
350-375
375-400
400-425
425-450
TOTAL
0-29
0
0
0
0
0
344
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
52
131
21
548
30-59
0
0
454
0
0
0
4
3
25
991
899
1,457
3,869
9,728
12,930
8,902
7,292
275
46,829
60-89
0
0
0
0
0
1,284
360
1,588
1,358
1,100
133
50
327
6,200
90-119
0
0
0
2,500
1,475
0
0
0
70
25
65
4,135
120-149 150-179
0
0
160
0
0
0
85
0
456
50
12,723
22,056
5,279
268
1,993
43,070
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
80
80
180-209 210-239 240-269 270-299 300-329 330-359
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,225
295
1,520
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
180
0
0
180
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
942
3,733
1,597
205
6,477
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
150
150
Total
0
0
614
2,500
1,475
1,808
1,674
1,886
2,325
5,824
3,085
1,912
16,999
31 ,854
18,286
9,366
7,292
2,289
109,189
= Survey incomplete.
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Table 4. Number and distribution of family cows by azimuth and distance from NTS/CP-1.
AZIMUTH (Degrees)
Distance
(Miles)
0-25
25-50
50-75
75-100
100-125
125-150
150-175
175-200
200-225
225-250
250-275
275-300
300-325
325-350
350-375
375-400
400-425
4
TOTAL
0-29
0
0
0
4
2
61
5
49
45
57
104
67
38
58
52
11
553
30-59
0
0
2
0
8
13
11
28
6
86
86
57
5
6
308
60-89
0
0
2
9
3
115
187
100
24
440
90-119 1
0
0
0
14
18
0
10
14
1
1
3
11
72
120-149 1
0
1
0
0
2
1
33
18
20
75
150-179 ]
0
0
12
2
2
0
0
0
16
180-209 't
0
0
4
0
0
2
38
21
65
n 0-239 j
0
9
0
0
2
3
1
0
15
240-269 't
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
----
9
>70-299 3
0
6
0
2
10
22
0
2
42
100-329 3
0
0
0
0
1
15
3
1
70
242
78
3
8
1
1
423
30-359
0
0
0
2
1
17
19
11
31
26
40
41
28
70
35
2
323
Total
0
16
20
33
58
249
307
244
197
412
311
179
79
129
87
14
6
2,341
= Survey incomplete.
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DISTRIBUTION
1-15 NERC-LV, Las Vegas, Nevada
16 Mahlon E. Gates, Manager, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
17 Robert H. Thalgott, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
18 Henry G. Vermillion, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
19 Chief, NOB/DNA, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
20 Robert R. Loux, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
21 Donald W. Hendricks, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
22 Elwood M. Douthett, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
23 Technical Library, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
24 Mail & Records, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
25 Martin B. Biles, DOS, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
26 Director, DMA, USAEC, Washington, D. C.
27 Harold F. Mueller, ARL/NOAA, NVOO/AEC, Las Vegas, Nevada
28 Gilbert J. Ferber, ARL/NOAA, Silver Spring, Maryland
29 Stanley M. Greenfield, Assistant Administrator for Research & Monitoring,
EPA, Washington, D. C.
30 William D. Rowe, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Radiation Programs,
EPA, Rockville, Maryland
31 Dr. William A. Mills, Dir., Div. of Criteria & Standards, Office of
Radiation Program, EPA, Rockville, Maryland
32 Ernest D. Harward, Acting Director, Division of Technology Assessment,
Office of Radiation Program, EPA, Rockville, Maryland
33 Bernd Kahn, Chief, Radiochemistry & Nuclear Engineering, NERC, EPA,
Cincinnati, Ohio
34 Gordon Everett, Director, Office of Technical Analysis, EPA,
Washington, D. C.
35 - 36 Charles L. Weaver, Director, Field Operations Division, Office of
Radiation Programs, EPA, Rockville, Maryland
37 Kurt L. Feldmann, Managing Editor, Radiation Data & Reports, ORP, EPA,
Rockville, Maryland
38 Regional Administrator, EPA, Region IX, San Francisco, California
39 Regional Radiation Representative, EPA, Region IX, San Francisco, Calif.
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DISTRIBUTION (Continued)
40 Eastern Environmental Radiation Laboratory, EPA, Montgomery, Alabama
41 Library, EPA, Washington, D. C.
42 William C. King, LLL, Mercury, Nevada
43 James E. Carothers, LLL, Livermore, California
44 Charles I. Browne, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
45 Harry S. Jordan, LASL, Los Alamos, New Mexico
46 Arden E. Bicker, REECo, Mercury, Nevada
47 Savino W. Cavender, REECo, Mercury, Nevada
48 Carter D. Broyles, Sandia Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico
49 Robert H. Wilson, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
50 Richard S. Davidson, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio
51 Frank E. Abbott, USAEC, Golden, Colorado
52 J. P. Corley, Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, Washington
53 Ernest G. Gregory, State of Nevada, Division of Health, Carson City, Nevada
54 John M. Ward, President, Desert Research Institute, University of
Nevada, Reno.
55 - 56 Technical Information Center, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (for public availability)
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