NAVAJO UMTRA LTSM UPDATE

Madeline Roanhorse

Navajo AML / UMTRA Department

2010 Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance Conference

Grand Junction, Colorado

Navajo UMTRA LTSM Update

Background and HistoryShiprock siteMexican Hat siteTuba City siteContact Information

Navajo UMTRA Background and History

Cooperative Agreement exist between the Navajo Nation and DOE to address the former surface cleanup and the current ground water remediation activities at the four Navajo sites

Three Navajo sites located at Shiprock, NM; Mexican Hat, UT; and Tuba City, AZ

These sites have been transferred to the DOE LTSM Program for oversight and monitoring

Navajo UMTRA is coordinating with DOE the site transfer of the Monument Valley property to the DOE LTSM Program

DOE and NN EPA personnel during the 2010 annual inspection discussing minor depression

due to past core sampling activities. 

Navajo UMTRA Background & History, cont.

Program staff performs quarterly and participates in the annual LTSM inspection with the DOE LTSM Program

The quarterly inspection allows frequent monitoring of the Navajo sites in support of the annual inspection

Site inspection include the assessment of the disposal cell top and side slopes; existence of vegetation on cell; conditions of diversion and outflow channels; terrace and outlying site perimeter area and continue

Navajo UMTRA Background and History, cont.

Condition of access road to the cell, fence repairs, entrance and perimeter signs, site markers, survey and boundary monuments, and erosion control markers

Down gradient ground water seep locations away from the disposal cell property

Ensure compliance to disposal cell regulations and standards for long term maintenance

SHIPROCK UMTRA SITE

Shiprock Site

Walk-through assessment is performed to check for evidence of settling, slumping, erosion, animal burrowing and deep-rooted vegetation on the riprap covered top, side slopes and disturbed areas

Check conditions and type of vegetation in channels

Check for slope retreat and tension cracks near the escarpment

Document new wind-blown sand near site fence line Inspect fence around and condition of the pond Completed radon / gamma radiation exposure

assessment of disposal cell cover in support of the 2000 DOE survey

Mexican Hat UMTRA disposal cell

Mexican Hat Site

Walk-through assessment is performed to check for evidence of settling, slumping, erosion, animal access and burrowing and deep-rooted vegetation (biointrusion) on the riprap covered top and side slopes

Check conditions, document location and type of vegetation in the diversion and erosion channels

Document erosion and trash build-up along the boundary fence line

Document condition of boundary fence and evidence of trespass

BIOINTRUSION

Mexican Hat Site, cont.

Check condition of diversion ditches and disposal cell apron located on the southern edge of cell

Check property condition in the outlying areas for disturbance due to grazing & public recreational use

Check condition of ground water seep locations down gradient to the disposal cell for surface water pathway exposure to general public and livestock

TUBA CITY UMTRA SITE

Tuba City Site

Walk-through assessment is performed to check evidence of settling, slumping, erosion, rock cover degradation, animal burrowing and deep-rooted vegetation on the riprap cover top and side slopes

Document and evaluate impact of sand accumulation in the diversion channels

Conduct perimeter site monitoring of the fence line, monitoring wells, signs, monuments, site markers

Document sand accumulation and wind erosion along boundary fence line

Contact Information

Website Address:www.aml.navajo.org

www.lm.doe.gov