|3" A~ v v i e N DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES hhgi i- , Office of the Director n ,

sauce musin.c. eptember 7,1979 . m m ou oov.u o,wru.o, SEP 141979 L c c ~' p". ' * \DlATION PROTECTION SECTION D. D.~Turberville, President " UNC Mining and Milling m 's 1N70 i ! P.O. Boy 39H . nA sowe Albuquerque, j . > Dear Mr. Turberville: ! , This is in reference to the July 16,'1979 United Nuclear Corporation tailings dam spill into the Puerco River. Water from.this spill was observed flowing into the State of Arizona. Surface water samples were taken by staff from the Arizona Department of Health Services and analyzed for chemical and gross alpha radioactivity. Arizona's surface water standards for both chemical and - radioactive paramebes were violated and the public was notifiod to avoid .I - contact with. the river and to keep livestock out of the river. A number of \ '

wells along the Puerco River have been sampled to determine whether or not | there has been recent contamination. | .For two reacons we are particularly concerned with abatement actions to date. i First, this Department has not been consulted with regard to participating in i abatement action order decisions. Secondly, abatement orders do not cover actions throughout the watercourse affected by the spill. We request that.you reinforce previous public notifications by this Department of potential hazards from spill residuals. You are requested to post warning signs in both English and Navajo on both sides of the Puerco River at 1/2-mile intervals from the Arizona-New Mexico border ' to the community of Navajo, Arizona, and on the upstream and downstream sides of highway crossings at Sanders and Adamana. In addition, warning signs should be posted on both sides of the Little at the upstream and down- stream sides of the AZ HWY 77 crossing in Holbrook. Warning signs shall be weather. resistant, and in a size and form to be noticeable to persons near the watercourse. The sign shall advise that " NOTICE Arizona Department of Health Services Recommends Persons and Livestock Avoid Contact with Riverwater and the Riverbed because of Suspected Radioactive Contamination from a Uranium Mine * j Spill on July 16, 1979". ,

It is further requested that you monitor any movement of contaminants down the 1 Puerco River to the and ultimately the Colorado River. l Considerable attention has been focused on the radio 6ctivity problems. Trace i.etals and toxics are of equal concern especially heavy metals such as selenium, radium-226, and thorium-230.

,

' 9004130024 790709 ( PDR C ADOCK040089]7

_ .- ~ ______.- _ m e m e _- }}' ? %;; , * Q Q 7 i D.;D. T,urberville, Pr:sident UNC Min'ing and Milling Page 2 { September 7, 1979 - - . . .

'We are undertaking a sediment and water sampling program at approximately .5 locations'along the Puerco River from Holbrook .to the Arizona-New Mexico border. The'results of these/ samples will. determine whether or not clean-up activities are needed'in Arizona.

Thank you for your assistance. *

+ Sincerely,

Suzanne Dandoy, M.D., M.P.H. Director

SD:RBS:inb ~- cc: Governor Bruce Babbitt \ Mr.-Paul De Falco,' Regional Administrator 1

EPA, Region IX . -Ms. Adlene Harrison, Regional Administrator EPA . Region VI 'Mr. Harold Tso, Navajo Tribe Environmental Protection Agency . Thomas Daca, Director New Mexico. Environmental Improvement Agency o |

3

|- L

|

| p