2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.1.1 Current Situation
The skyline yarder is being used with a hopper bucket attached to transport the stockpile of contaminated soils excavated from the north side of Oljato Mesa up to the repository on top. “Monsoon Season” thunderstorm events have impacted the Mesa access road and Oljato Road, necessitating significant road repair and maintenance activities. Demobilization of personnel and equipment as reduction in scope of operations allows is ongoing in an effort to reduce overall site costs.
July 18 – 23, 2011
OSC Benson onsite this week.
This week ERRS:
-Completed excavation on lower portion of upper slope area below the mine opening using the skyline with a dredge bucket.
-Completed site-wide flood contingency improvements.
-Continued water conveyance system operations.
-Continued site-wide road improvements and maintenance.
-Continued dust control program using water for dust suppression.
START performed air sampling around work zones as part of the effluent dust sampling program, and performed confirmation radiation surveys.
July 25 – 30, 2011
OSC Musante onsite this week.
This week ERRS:
-Continued water conveyance system operations.
-Continued site-wide road improvements and maintenance.
-Continued dust control program using water for dust suppression.
-Continued restoration of the soil borrow area on top of the mesa.
-Resumed transport of stockpiled mine waste materials to top of Mesa via the skyline cable yarder.
-Began decontamination of the skyline dredge bucket and carriage.
START performed air sampling around work zones as part of the effluent dust sampling program, and excavation completion radiation surveys in the TLDA and stockpile areas.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Mobilization for removal activities and site setup began the week of March 28, 2011. Construction of the repository began the week of April 4, 2011, and was completed at the end of May. Excavation of mine waste from valley floor areas on the north side and the upper slope below the mine opening of Oljato Mesa was completed by July 24.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
EPA to date has been unable to identify any existing PRPs. EPA will continue to analyze the voluminous responses to the information requests it sent to numerous parties associated with mining in general on the Navajo Reservation. Because of the urgency of this removal, EPA is proceeding with a fund-lead action. EPA will continue to review the information referenced above to determine whether viable and liable parties may be identified, and will pursue recovery of the removal costs if appropriate.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
There are no progress metrics to report at this time. Off-site disposal is not planned for this removal. Uranium tailing wastes at the Site will be transferred to the on-site repository. Total volumes of waste moved into the repository may be reported in future POLREPs.
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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