Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Mine Category Assessment Protocol (MCAP)
Cove, AZ - EPA Region IX
POLREP #2
SITREP 2 - MCAP assessment

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Mine Category Assessment Protocol (MCAP) - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IX

Subject:

POLREP #2
SITREP 2 - MCAP assessment
Mine Category Assessment Protocol (MCAP)
Cove, AZ

To:

Harry Allen, EPA Region 9
Will Duncan, EPA Region 9

From:

Randy Nattis, On Scene Coordinator

Date:

4/20/2016

Reporting Period:

4/20/2016

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	4/18/2016	Start Date:	4/19/2016
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Mine Category Assessment Protocol (MCAP) reconnaissance in support of the Tronox settlement

1.1.2 Site Description

120 mine claim areas, 26 mine claims are specifically identified in the Tronox settlement, with an additional 6 mine claims determined as 'other mines' within the Tronox settlement

The MCAP Target Sites, historical site screening information, and other relevant layers supporting the MCAP site visits are displayed on the Region 9 Navajo Operational Viewer located at: https://r9.ercloud.org/navajoops/.

1.1.2.1 Location

Red Valley, AZ 86544 - The MCAP effort will take place throughout the Northern agency of the Navajo Nation, extending from the Lukachukai Mountains north to Teec Nos Pos

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Potential releases and the threat of future releases of hazardous substances, namely: uranium and its progeny (i.e., radium-226 and radon) and ionizing gamma and alpha radiation associated with those progeny. The likelihood of direct human exposure, via ingestion and/or inhalation of hazardous substances, and the threat of future releases and migration of those substances, pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or welfare or the environment based on the factors set forth in the NCP, 40 CFR § 300.415(b)(2).

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

The MCAP field teams were able to access the shelf below Mesa V, and successfully document a large waste rock area and expansive un-reclaimed open adit, where livestock was witnessed taking shelter within the adit. The field teams also were able to access all the target areas found along Mesa VI, where gamma radiation measurements were found to be relatively low. Obstacles such as fallen trees and large snow banks were found along many of the roads along the top of the mesas, and limited vehicle access by the field teams, efforts will be made to remove these impairments so the field teams will be able to continue to access the remaining target sites on Mesa II, III and IV.

2.1.2 Assessment Activities to Date

On April 20, 6 of the 96 planned sites were evaluated. This makes for a total of 26 of the planned 96 mine areas.

2.1.3 Progress Metrics

26 of the 96 site have been evaluated to date, this represents 27% completion.

A list of all of the sites and their MCAP status can be found at:
https://www.epaosc.org/sites/11282/files/MCAP%20Target%20Sites%20042016.xlsx

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

On Thursday, April 21, the MCAP field teams plan to perform debris removal which have previously limited access to mine sites around the Mesa V Area, as well as continue conducting site visits throughout the Mesa I, Mesa, III, and Mesa IV areas.

2.3 Logistics Section