· C:Cu· ~~✓- I/-~;- ,(Jl Contract awarded for mill tailings clean-up A federal contract has been awarded February, but according to a time-line for the clean-up of uranium mill tailings established earlier, Lakeview's would in several Western states, but it is not be touched until at least 1983. unclear whether Lakeview's site is Discussions in the past have indicated actually included. that federal money would pay for 90 Second-district Congressman Denny percent of the clean-up, with the state Smith announced recently that a con­ picking up 10 percent of the cost. Don tract for $50 million has been awarded Goddard of the Oregon Department of by the U.S. Department of Energy to Energy said the $50 million sounded too Jacobs Engineering, Pasadena, Califor­ low to accomplish the project, as it is nia, to dispose of low-level radioactive estimated the Lakeview site, one of the mill tailings from uranium mines like smallest, would cost about $6 million. those in Lakeview. "This contract should ensure that the Lakeview site will be brought into com­ The Lakeview site is one of 24 pliance with federal health standards," uranium mine locations in seven states Rep. Smith said. involved in the federal clean-up project. It is not known whether the $50 The clean-up is expected to begin in million has actually been appropriated. / Al ali lake diSposal site A ~ ,~J /j-S- <if I Update: some satisfied, some no Reaction to a two-year update report tions from local residents and on the Reiter said, to monitor effects. in case monitoring shows a threi about the Alkali Lake hazardous waste "super-fund" created by the federal It was recommended at the earlier public health or the environment. disposal site ranged from expressed government to help communities clear meeting that the impact of the site on semi-annual monitoring program · satisfaction to marked dissatisfaction up such sites once they have been aban­ native vegetation be evaluated. This effect, the department's contin Wednesday, October 8, at a public meet­ doned by the person or firm responsible W?~ d1:ml:' ~n<I laboratory analysis indi­ plan as it is an early warning devi ing in Lakeview. The meeting was for the dumping. cated a 2,4-D concentration less than detecting significant changes, he sponsored by the Oregon Department of Richard P. Reiter, supervisor of the detection limit of .2 ppm . When asked if DEQ then had no Environmental Quality. DEQ's Solid Waste Division, Hazardous To a recommendation that there be for remedial action, just monitor! DEQ supervised the controlled burial Waste Section, acknowledged in reply to continuous and reliable operation of the· Reiter said yes, since additional fun of about 23,000 55-gallon drums of pesti­ a question that at a meeting two years meteorological station at the Alkali would be required by the legislatlll] cide waste and manufacturing residues ago, he'd had concerns about cattle Lake highway maintenance station, he Sally Bourgeois of the Radiation l in November and December 1976. 'The feeding in that area but when he saw said a check earlier this month with the cation Council (REC) asked if ti drums· had been stockpiled on the site the results of tests made, he was no National Weather Service indicated that were any techniques for remedia~ between 1969 and 1971 for disposal by a longer so concerned. the data is now complete and up-to­ tion . Reiter replied that a cons private contractor who never was able He referred to tests made on two date. Now they may be able to make engineer two years ago had sugge to carry out the plan. Through court rabbits shot at the site. Some 12 unsuc­ some predictions about future effects plowing the waste into the surfac\ action seeking proper management of cessful hours were spent trying to shoot of weather on the site. · · bacterial action could break it d the site, the state obtained ownership a coyote for testing. More monitoring of potable ground­ more quickly. I and contracted for burial on-site in During tests on the rabbits' livers, water supplies in the area was sought at Chris Platt, also of REC, chargl shallow trenches. they were unable to detect any residue the last meeting. Reiter said the de­ "It seems to me you're waiting until The Alkali Lake basin is suitable for at .2 parts per million (ppm), the limit partment porbably could expand the poison gets into ur groundwater be waste disposal due to the high altitude, of the equipment's ability to detect con­ number of times the site is monitored doing anything ... " desert environment, unusable shallow tamination. "My opinion is that .2 ppm but first would have to get legislative "From everything we know," water table, low precipitation and re­ or Jess is insignificant." So testing approval and funding. In the mean­ Reiter, "it won't get into the w moteness from populated areas ·said cattle livers was not considered so vital. time, the federal Environmental Pro­ supply." He explained that the 1 DEQ. The area is almost lacking in Bob Weir, a local rancher whose cat­ tection Agency has given a two-year seemed to be a discharge area wl ,vegetation except for sagebrush and tle graze BLM pastures in that area, grant to the Oregon Graduate Center the water, rather than moving de greasewood. A fence around the area said he had seen no adverse effect in his (which has no affiliation with any state ward, actually showed an upwell keeps out ·animals. cattle and saw no reason to make the university) to do additional monitoring. upward movement. This would ten The meeting last week focused on the cattle liver test. Recommendation : DEQ should have keep the contaminates from reacl 11 areas of concern and recom~enda- Further animal tests will be made, a contingency plan for remedial action the aquifer. (Continued on Pag HERALD Ar DEQ Alkali Lake Actions · Discussed By ISABELLE BARRY Bob Weir, who runs cattle in the area, may said it would be ru~cessary for the state hundreds or thousands of drums of unknown H&N Correspondent provide tissue samples. Legislature to allocate more money for chemicals, Reiter said some holes were dug .In evaluating the ~rea's native vegetation, earthquake studies. He said it is possible an in the top of the mound but could confirm only LAKEVIEW - Actions taken by the it was reported sagebrush samples were inactive fault exists under the site, but said those barrels visible at the west end. He said Department of Environmental Quality during taken near the lake site and near Hutton because the seismic risk is low he believes · the DEQ has unsuccessfully attempted to the past year at Alkali Lake wer~iscussed at Springs. Reports indicated 2,4-D concentra­ effectsof an earthquake would be minimal. contact the owner of the -privately owned a recent public meeting in Lakev·ew. - tions less than the 0.2 ppm detection limit. Reiter said studies of old maps showing land. A 10-acre site on the south side of the Alkali Visual observations indicated vegetation is .. strand lines of Alkali Lake 1n 1886 and 1916 Lake Basin had about 23,000 55- allon drums Reiter said he does not believe the Alkali recovering, according to the DEQ. irtdicate the lake appeared similiar then. Lake Basin wili be developed for intensive of pesticide waste and manu acturing re­ Reiter said the state is gathering Analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey sidues buried in late 1976. The drums were agricultural use in the near future. Most land meteoroligical data at the station on a indicate the possibilities of flooding are­ is managed by the Bureau of Land Manage• stockpiled between 1969 and 197l for disposal continuing basis and reported the Oregon minim al.-Even if flooding should occur, he by a private contractor. ment, which proposes to allow irrigation only Graduate Center has received a grant that said it would not.l>e severe enough to expose "if groundwater reserves prove adequate and Rich Reiter, supervisor of the hazardous . will be partially used to monitor the area'.s the waste or leach significant quantities of waste program , Portland, conducted the after private lands in Lake County are potable water sources. The center will also waste to surrounding areas. developed first. meeting. drill an additional well to check water quality Reiter said there is no evidence to support It was learned that in response to a at deeper levels. claims that 65,000 drums of waste were Additional monitoring data , taken the recommendation that tissue from animals Sources that will be monitored twice yearly disposed at the site. The department claims morning prior to last week's hearing, will be feeding at the lake be examined Clay Curtis, by the DEQ include North Artesian Well, 23,000 drums were deposited. available when collected from the DEQ lab. Alkali Lake highway maintenance station, Hutton Springs, South Artesian Well, Further ground water studies have bee!l__ Background information and monotiring data shot two rabbits and submitted them for Leehmann Sheep Camp, highway mainte­ deferred pending an Oregon Graduate Study through April 1981 is available from Gordon analysis. The concentration of 2,4-D in the nance station and Cattle Trough. grant proposal to the Environmental Protec­ Tracy, Lake County administrative assistant. liver, the organ where toxics concentrate; In response to concerns about earthquake tion Agency seeking a comprehensive study._ Reiter said there are 10 hazardous waste was· less than 0.2 parts p~r million.