NEW MEXICO

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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

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AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
AND DISEASE REGISTRY

United States
Environmental Protection

of Brenda Cook


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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


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