2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.1.1 Current Situation
Transport of stockpiled waste from the valley floor to the repository on top of Oljato Mesa continues, via the skyline yarder system. The stockpile of excavated waste totaled approximately 20,000 yd3. The skyline yarder moves 4 – 4.5 yd3 per trip, with a cycle time of 4.5 minutes per trip from bottom to top to bottom again. This level of production allows for the transport of approximately 400 – 500 yd3 per work day. At this rate approximately 50 working days will be required for transport and completion of this activity is estimated by mid-September. “Monsoon Season” thunderstorm events continue to impact the Mesa access road and Oljato Road, thus requiring additional 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.
August 1 – 6, 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.
-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.
August 7 – 13, 2011
OSCs Musante and Calanog 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 transport of stockpiled mine waste materials to top of Mesa via the skyline cable yarder.
-Continued decontamination of the skyline dredge bucket and CAT 345 excavator.
START performed air sampling around work zones as part of the effluent dust sampling program.
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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