NEW MEXICO HA For more information, contact: Mark Purcell, Grants Mining District Coordinator EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Avenue (6SF-TR) Dallas, Texas 75202 214.665.6707 800.533.3508 purcell.mark@epa.gov EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus during a visit to Jackpile Mine, Grants Mining District, New Mexico, in October 2011 - *' £$ ' J" REGC/ Cfc £/Vtsdr AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY United States Environmental Protection of Brenda Cook ------- Assessment of Water Supply for Contamination Background Residents within the Ambrosia Lake and Laguna sub-districts primarily rely on private wells for residential-domestic, stock-watering, and agricultural uses. Legacy uranium mining and milling operations generated liquid wastes that included water produced from mine dewatering operations and process waters from milling operations. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continue to assess impacts to regional ground water. Accomplishments The United States Geological Survey conducted geophysical survey in the area between the Anaconda Bluewater Mill site and the Homestake Mining Company Uranium Mill Superfund site (Homestake Mill site). The information collected assists in targeting ground water systems to be investigated. Next Steps Planned Develop a ground water investigation plan within the context of a comprehensive Grants Mining District investigation. Assessment anil Cleanup of Legacy Uranium nines Background The Grants Mining District is an area 100 miles by 25 miles in New Mexico, where primary uranium extraction and production activities occurred from the 1950s to the late 1980s. There are 97 legacy uranium mines in the district with the potential physical hazards, such as open adits and shafts, and for potential releases of hazardous substances (primarily radionuclides and metals) to soil, surface water, and ground water. Accomplishments ¦ Conducted aerial radiological surveys in the Ambrosia Lake and Poison Canyon areas, coverage of approximately 70 square miles; these areas have the highest concentration of mines. The two reports can be viewed on the Grants Mining District website: http://www.epa.gov/region6/6sf/ newmexico/grants/nm grants index.html ¦ Developed a characterization protocol for documenting re- leases at legacy uranium mine sites. ¦ Completed mine investigations at the John Bully, Sandstone, Section 12, and the Dysart #2 mines using the characteriza- tion protocol. ¦ Issued a Unilateral Administrative Order for site stabilization at the San Mateo Mine, located on United States Forest Ser- vice land. Site work will include the regrading of waste rock piles, construction of evapotranspiration cells for waste placement, and revegetation to reduce windblown trans- port. The final design for the work was approved in June 2012. Construction may begin as early as July 2012. Next Steps Planned ¦ Complete more detailed assessment on at least four previously screened mines collecting soil and water samples to determine impact from mining activities. ¦ Under the direction of the Bureau of Land Management, close shafts and bore holes on the Barbara J mines. ¦ Complete actions ordered for the San Mateo Mine, under the direction of the United States Forest Service. ¦ Conduct emergency action at mine sites, when warranted, due to releases of hazardous substances to the environment or physical hazards. Contaminant Assessment, Cleanup, and Long-Term management of Former Uranium Hilling Sites Background There are five legacy uranium mill sites within the Grants Mining District. Four are located in Ambrosia Lake sub-district and one in the Laguna sub-district The Homestake Mill site and the Ambrosia Lake-Rio Algom Mill site are currently under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission until reclama- tion is complete. The Homestake Mill site is also regulated by EPA under its Superfund Program. Once reclamation at these two mill sites is complete and the sites are decommissioned, they will be transferred to the Department of Energy for long- term surveillance, maintenance, and ground water monitoring under its Legacy Management Program. The Department of En- ergy is currently responsible for such activities at Ambrosia Lake- Phillips Mill, Anaconda Bluewater Mill, and L-Bar Mill sites as reclamation and decommissioning are complete. Accomplishments ¦ Currently installing five new monitoring wells in the San Andreas/Glorieta aquifer and one new well in the alluvial aquifer at Anaconda Bluewater Mill site. The uranium concentrations in the original point of compliance well and two additional monitoring wells in the alluvial aquifer are elevated. ¦ Continued collecting data for the EPA's human health risk assessment (HHRA) at the Homestake Mill site. Next Steps Planned ¦ Complete ground water investigations at Ambrosia Lake- Phillips Mill and Anaconda Bluewater Mill sites, including installation and sampling of additional monitoring wells, if warranted. ¦ Complete the HHRA at the Homestake Mill site. n Complete revision of the ground water corrective action plan for the Homestake Mill site based on the Remedy System Evaluation for improving remediation efficiencies. Assessment and Cleanup of Contaminated Structures Background The Grants Mining District has been inhabited since the 12th century; therefore, structures can date back to those early days. More recent dwellings may be constructed of materials unearthed during mining or built on or near high uranium content lands. Based on the results of the Airborne Spectro- photometricY Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) Gamma Emergency Mapper and residential radiological survey, the EPA has been surveying potentially affected structures and properties. Sun Clan Road Radiation Site—building with foundation rocks from Jack Pile Mine was demolished and replaced Accomplishments ¦ Assessed 451 structures/properties for potential gamma and elemental uranium contamination; of those identified, 146 structures have radiation contamination above action levels. ¦ Relocated one resident, due to radiation contamination near the Johnny M Mine site. ¦ Completed the following removal actions: ~ Structure demolished at the Sun Clan Road site, due to rocks in foundation from Jack Pile Mine. ~ Soil removals were completed at 12 residential proper- ties at the Bear Canyon site in April 2012. The soil was disposed in Clive, Utah. ~ Paving rocks were removed at one residence at the Hogan Mine area in April 2012. The rocks were disposed in Clive, Utah, ~ Soil removals were completed at 12 residential proper- ties at the Mount Taylor San Mateo Radiation site in April 2012. ~ Soil removals are ongoing at 12 residential properties at the Rio San Jose Radiation site. The properties are located in four villages on Pueblo of Laguna. ¦ Completed an action memo for a removal at the Oak Canyon site. Soil excavation and radon abatement will be performed at 27 properties. Next Steps Planned (as needed) ¦ Complete testing on all structures. ¦ Continue to implement radon abatement at residences. ¦ Continue to clean up contaminated soil at residences. ¦ Continue to clean up contaminated structures. Jackpile Mine on Laguna Pueblo Background Jackpile Mine, once the world's largest open pit uranium mine, is located on the Pueblo of Laguna near the village of Paguate, and operated from 1953 to 1982. A Record of Decision was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Land Management in 1986 with the objective of reclaiming and stabilizing the mine site. The EPA is conducting investigations to determine the extent of residual risk from historic mining activities. Accomplishments ¦ Finalized CERCLA Site Inspection report that documents impacts to ground water and soil. ¦ Completed Expanded Site Inspection to further investigate the ground water to surface water pathway at the site. ¦ Proposed site to EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) of Superfund sites on March 15, 2012. Next Step Planned Negotiate with potentially responsible parties for performance of a CERCLA remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS). Public Health Surveillance Background Releases from legacy uranium sites throughout the Grants Mining District are documented. Area residents requested health screenings and studies to evaluate health impacts from uranium mining and milling in the area. Accomplishments ¦ New Mexico Department of Health posted "Grants Mineral Belt Uranium Biomonitoring Project Summary" on the New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking website: https://nmtracking.unm.edu/environ exposure/exposure- data biomonitor/. Also available are fact sheets on uranium and well owner tips. ¦ New Mexico Department of Health was successful in adding uranium exposure as a notifiable condition: uranium in urine greater than 0.2 micrograms/liter or 0.2 micrograms/gram creatinine. New Mexico is the only state to have uranium exposure as a notifiable condition. ¦ The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluated open mine portals for radon exposure to workers or recreational visitors. Next Steps Planned ¦ Continue to field questions from the public regarding the Health Assessment and potential sources of exposure to uranium and how to reduce exposure. ¦ Issue report on National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluation. Hogan Mine Area—contaminated paving rocks at residence were removed ------- |