Cameco Resources Crow Butte Operation · Cameco Resources Crow Butte Operation 86 Crow Butte Road P.O. Box 169 Crawford, Nebraska 69339-0169 June 16, 2016 CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT

Cameco Resources Crow Butte Operation

86 Crow Butte Road P.O. Box 169 Crawford, Nebraska 69339-0169

June 16, 2016

CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Attn: Document Control Desk, Director Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Commercial Evaporation Pond #3 Corrective Action Report Source Materials License SUA-1534 Docket Number 40-8943

Dear Director:

(308) 665-2215 (308) 665-2341-FAX

On May 18, 2016, water level readings from the north middle, northwest, south middle, and southwest underdrains on Cameco Resources - Crow Butte Operation (CBO) Commercial Evaporation Pond #3 indicated a potential liner leak. Samples were obtained from the underdrains and analyzed for alkalinity, chloride, conductivity, sodium, and sulfate. Upon verification of the potential liner leak, CBO notified Ron Burrows by phone on May 18, 2014 in accordance with License Condition 11.6. As required by License Condition 11.9, the following corrective action plan is being submitted for NRC review.

Actions Taken

May 19, 2016 - Started transferring water into Commercial Evaporation Pond #1 to lower the pond level to eliminate the liner leak.

May 23, 2016 - Inspected the liner for damage. A cut in the liner was identified on the west side of the pond at the 9 foot level. A temporary patch was installed over the cut.

June 9, 2016 -Permanently repaired the damaged area.

June 10, 2016 - Started transferring water back out of Commercial Evaporation Pond #1 into the pond to cover the repaired area.

June 15, 2016 - Underdrain measurements indicated that the damaged area had been effectively repaired.

Attachment #1 contains copies of the Weekly Evaporation Pond Underdrain Analysis for the period of May 18, 2016 to June 15, 2016.

Water Quality in Affected Underdrains

CROW BUTTE OPERATION

Attachment #2 contains copies of the water chemistry of the affected underdrains for the period of May 18, 2016 to June 15, 2016. The affected underdrains will be sampled for an additional two weeks.

Commercial Pond Monitor Wells

In addition to analysis of the affected underdrains, CBO also obtained samples from pond monitor wells CPM-1 and CPM-2. The two monitor wells are completed in the first aquifer and are located at the fenced restricted area boundary and down gradient of Commercial Evaporation Pond #3. The samples were obtained and analyzed for the indicator parameters for the period of May 18, 2016 to June 14, 2016. Analytical results, contained in Attachment #3, were consistent with historical sampling results indicating no breach has occurred to the secondary liner.

Impact to Waste Disposal Capacity

On June 15, 2016, the water level in Commercial Evaporation Pond #3 was at 9.3 ft. On June 10, 2016, CBO began transferring water back into the pond from Commercial Evaporation Pond # 1 to cover the patched area to test the integrity of the repair and to lower the contents of Pond # 1 to inspect for a potential liner leak identified on June 8, 2016.

Current waste flow from the plant to the pond is 5 GPM. Transfer from the pond to the Pond Water Treatment circuit for disposal down the deep disposal wells is 15 GPM. Based upon the declining water level, evaporation is estimated at 30 GPM. From these values it is estimated that the pond level is being lowered at a rate of 40 GPM.

Current waste flows, deep disposal well capacity, and the capacity remaining in Commercial Evaporation Pond #1 has allowed CBO to repair the liner in Commercial Evaporation Pond #3 with minimal impact to the total waste disposal capacity.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (308) 665-2215 Ext 122.

Sincerely, CAMECO RESOURCES CROW BUTTE OPERATION

Bob Tiensvold Restoration Manager

cc: NRC Deputy Director Marty Link - NDEQ Water Quality Division Administrator CBO - File

ec: Nancy Harris - NDEQ Program Coordinator Kory Winters - NDEQ Field Office CR - Casper Office

-----,

Attachment #1

Weekly Evaporation Pond Underdrain Analysis

l

COMMERCIAL PONDS

.POND LEVEL

l "'FREEBOARD

~ NE UNDERDRAIN Ii ~ NM UNDERDRAIN II .... NW UNDERDRAIN' ..... 'It:

i .... SE UNDERDRAIN SM! UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN

:fONDLEVEL

= "'FREEBOARD ~

~ NE UNDERDRAIN'

~ NM UNDERDRAIN' II

""' NW UNDERDRAIN' i;! :it:

! ~

SE UNDERDRAIN SM UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN.

POND LEVEL

l "'FREEBOARD ;,; NE UNDERDRAIN ... ,,.. ~ NM UNDERDRAIN' II ....

NW UNDERDRAIN' ..... 'It: u. ""' i SE UNDERDRAIN ... SM UNDERDRAIN

SW UNDERDRAIN

CAMECO RESOURCES/CROW BUTTE OPERATION WEEKLY EVAPORATION POND UNDERDRAIN ANALYSIS

UNDERDRAIN WATER METER TEMP CONDUCTIVITY DEPIB /INCHES READING oc 11mhos/cm

q,,' -,,{ .t' ~ '

5" 9'' '3'8. 7 -~ 11.1~

,,,:·•· '1 '' 1;." '15l.. f ms ,~/;'(:. &/.~,

«.)._I

if"

11" /:,/ .. ~·-"' II. q~ t;,,, ,,

-~~ 11-< B' i''Z t?'' 711 7!- SI..,~ 11.l°c.. 1$'' qi), q,...._ /$,I>~ ·tl.:r)~t:>bW-<> , .. ~·

lfo. 7.i i

'J..;, .:?.9. SIJ..Me ~5: ~~

tf·" si. 7()-s ;i.b,t) ~

·7'1 /'_ 157 ...... .., ~6'.rc 7

,, 'l=J tim_S ?-S .. ~'z.

t, ,, 12 fl/ ,j,.,.i:,, :;.,;, 3 or_ ).." it/, I)) .-o; ,., , g"t.

LAB RESULTs II 11mhos/cm

R & D POND IJWELS (Depth= IS ft) REMARKS: l'o,,d -113 J:~.,., ,_,,,Ad.·i-..,j {;/~lt:s

EASTLEVELs w"'EAST FREEBOARD:

EAS1' UNDERDRAIN: WEST LEVEL:

"""WJtST FREEBOARD: W)ST 'VNDERDRAIN:

Weekly Evnpomlion Pond Underdram Analy9is SHEQ6·9

7.tS I ~,v.' oi' 7, 'I' '7 (,/

tl''

Fob 16 Revised

IJ,.,,. A. s ,//'"b__ .. 4:. 0. I.. . , P.--.1! ~ - J' ,_;v,. .l-IJ,,, j.YJ~AJ~ A',,.."" .

t1COMME:RCIAL POND FREEBOARD = S FT MIN """R&D POND FREEBOARD .. 3 FT MIN SAMPLER: h). ,,1/,,,/~P?.

DATE: !Allofl'-Rov~

Pogo I of I

COMMERCIAL PONDS

POND LEVEL

E "'Ji'REEBOARD

~ NE UNDERDRAIN Er ~ NM UNDERDRAIN II .... NW UNDERDRAIN' --I :it:

i .... SE UNDERDRAIN . ... SM UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN

POND LEVEL

i "'FREEBOARD

NE UNDERDRAJN'.

~ II NM UNDERDRAJN'. .... NW UNDERDRAJN'. ~ :it: UI tH

i SE UNDERDRAIN ... SM! UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN.

POND LEVEL

t= "'FREEBOARD ~ '"d NE UNDERDRAJN'. Er

~ NM UNDERDRAIN II .... NW UNDERDRAIN --I :it: u.

i .i:. SE UNDERDRAIN

.... SM UNDERDRAIN. SW UNDERDRAIN

CAMECO RESOURCES/CROW BUTTE OPERATION WEEKLY EVAPORATION PONi> UNDERDRAIN ANALYSIS

UNDERDRAIN WATER METER TEMP CON.l.)UCTIVITY DEPTH/ ,INCHES READING oc 11mhos/cm

11>.;i. J

fo.~·

'.l''.

ii-"' 7" 1J(.~,,..<c )5.i 0~ ,.. 1/'. /(J.'' «!1.)4$" JI:. J"t:.:..

fr .s' ,,o' t/.'~ - 111.N

~··-· ..

I"" .51 fl_-., /c?.f~. !). 1/

O" _I;'.' 71, /·11...e io.,;. ~,, ·~/_-.Ir j ~.C.9t= ..

T-.5~' '

1~.s· /_'?_II .r:;"} .6 ... ~ rf. ~~ r" 7'.' 'I. /). ... ~ ~,/flit;.

iD~' .2~ ..,A,.,.,. ~ 9,jj ~ c I/ 'j1 .91 ~c: 19.l't. ,2" 19.03 I/JS :A5.)~.

LAB RESULTS wnhos/cm

R & D POND LEVELS (Depth~ 15 ft) REMARKS: Peuu:I. ... ,. ... · ~. /"15Kfln,.,,J EAST LEVELi

tit1£.AST FREEDOARJ)1 EAtS'f UNDERDMlN: WEST LEVEL:

""WEST FREEBOAJiD: W~ST UNDE.RDMIN:

Weekly Ilvapomtion Pond Undordrnm Analysis SHJ,~Q6·9

7.1 1

7.'I' O"

7, 5' 7.5' r'/

Feb 16 Revised

• /j ~ 1 - _,_ :,,. I 1~. J: ·:,,.. ~ JJ_.,..:L .ltf '/

*COMMEI(CIAL POND FMEBOARD = 5 FT MIN u R&D PON.D FREEBOARJ> = 3 FT MIN

SAMPU!!R: w. ,1_/..;_

DATE: £. /11//,c, Rov2

Page I of I

COMMERCIAL PONDS

POND LEVEL

t::I *FREEBOARD

'

~ "'=' NE UNDERDRAIN ;.

~ NM UNDERDRAIN' II

"'" NW UNDERDRAIN, -l 'II: ;t ....

SE UNDERDRAIN. !II· .... SM UNDERDRAIN. SW UNDERDRAIN

POND LEVEL

= "'FREEBOARD !II

NE UNDERDRAIN ~ ~ ='

~ NM UNDERDRAIN II .... NW UNDERDRAIN ;-.I 'II:

Ul ~

;> SE UNDERDRAIN. ~ SM UNDERDRAIN

SW UNDERDRAIN

POND LEVEL

t::I *FREEBOARD ~ ~ NE UNDERDRAIN ~ 0 NM UNDERDRAIN'. II ~ ....

NW UNDERDRAIN ;-.I :it: Ul

~

[ SE UNDERDRAIN, SM.I UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN

CAMECO RESOURCES/CROW BUTTE OPERATION WEEKL ¥EVAPORATION POND UNDERDRAllN ANALYSIS

UNDERDRMN WATER METER TEMP CONDUCTIVITY DEPTH I ;INCHES READING oc. umbos/cm

/0, j.' ·. ,,. (I~ .

2~'

..J'.' !i'' ,, " Jf." . ., ... ~ .. q'

.... fl I

"t<,"

,, ," _Ii 9. 7 ... s' ~~~",;.. ,,,, .. ."i·.~./'-ot ' II. Iii~ (}''

., .. li:J.. q ... $ j.5_ JO&-,,. .... IS. I_., ,., .1l't:-

.,. .. J;o'

It.. S' 12. ,, if '!Jin.~ ' ''fljQC,,.

!i,"

9'~ '6 .c. ... < 21/.~:,,0

n'' MJl7•"- Jf. t"t 7'' .J/,11 lilS ,,,l".t. 1~" 1 . .l. "·m5 ;.i, i/o/,..

LAB RESULTS -- ,,

umhos/cm

R & D POND U~VELS lDeoth "" 15 ft) REMARKS: f;>,.. .. J -~ i::,A,,,Jl C JI r'All '· .• .,_ .... ;~. -

EAST LEVEL: ""EA.ST FREEDOARD:

EAST UNDERDRMN: WEST LEV.EL:

"""Wl° ST FREEBOARD: Wl CST UNDERDRAIN:

Weekly ~'llporation P'ond Underdroin Analysis SHEQ6·9

7.~' 7. 7•

()'.' 7.7' l.J'

ri''

Feb 16 Revised

. ' ' /

"COMMERCIAL POND FREEBOARD = 5 FT MIN "" R&D POND FREEBOARD m 3 FT MIN

SAMPLER:. 1.1 .... 1.1. .L /=.

DATE: r-:.../,/1/.

Rllv2 Page I of)

COMMERCIAL PONDS

.iroNDLEVEL

l ,,.,REEBOARD

""d NE, UNDERDRAIN - ~ =- NM UNDERDRAIN II .. NW UNDERDRAIN' -.i =II:

i ->"" SE UNDERDRAIN SM/ UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN

POND LEVEL

= *;FREEBOARD .g

~ NE, UNDERDRAIN.

& NM UNDERDRAIN II ~ >"" NW UNDERDRAIN ...J =II: Ui !.H

i' SE UNDERDRAIN .... SM UNDERDRAIN

SW UNDERDRAIN.

POND LEVEL

'= "'FREEBOARD .a '"cl NE UNDERDRAIN r;.

~ NM UNDERDRAIN' II >""

NW UNDERDRAIN ;--1 =II: !JI

"" i' SE UNDERDRAIN .... SM UNDERDRAIN,

SW UNDERDRAIN


UNDERDRAIN WATER METER TEMP CONDUCTIVITY DEPTH I lNCHES READING oc µin hos/cm .

9.7 7,3: . .2'j

I "

.~'' In ()~

-~II

q t,.'

7 •' q~·

1s'' lf7. i5A. < f.,2 ~ rl" ..! I. 'I ... "I l/,C>~ !)''

..2.6~ ''"·"' .~ ""'~ l'B .. fl!! -2 ~ ... N ~~

1:. 1/-5 ' J(,.~,

l'f" lf5 . .2_/j ... <; J7: ~"v .5" 7'' '6,'fl -s . J 1). S'".:::.

., , .. ;)..~ 5-3 .. A ;tJ ifl: .7.'C

.;i'' I~. 'JJ-<-s ""· 7"/J 12 ,. I).. 3.5 M5 J'/,.q'~

LAB RESULTS µmhos/cm

R & D POND LEVELS (Depth 11i lS ft) REMARKS: PA .. J. c M,., • .::: , 1 .or.,o d'-t . . .

EAST LEVEL: 11t11tEAST FREEDOARD:

EAST UNDERDRAllN: WEST LEVEL:

uw ~ST FREEBOAF D: WJ 1ST UNDERDRJ IN:

akl Ilvn ration F ond Underdroln A11nl sis We y po y SHllQ6·9

7·"', &/" IM ? • c," o"

f 1 ti I

.., '1.'

o" Feb 16

Revised

Af.,~./-li. I, i .... s~bi4:..,_ ,

*COMMERCIAL POND FREEBOARD = S FT MIN u R&D POND FREEBOARD = 3 FT MIN

SAMPLER: ~) ~1-L

DATE:.~ hs/1t.

Ra v2 Page I of I

4J'·· . ~

i ;. II .... " i

l .... =-II .... :-I Ul

~ a

= .a ;. II ....

:-I Ul

:::i !'D ....

COMMERCIAL PONDS

POND LEVEL

"'FREEBOARD

"!:I NE UNDERDRAIN

i NM UNDERDRAIN = NW UNDERDRAIN :it ....

SE UNDERDRAIN SM UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN

l>ONDLEVEL "';FREED OARD

"!:I NE UNDERDRAIN

~ NM UNDERDRAIN NW UNDERDRAiN' 'It:

!.H SE UNDERDRAIN

SM'. UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN

JlONDLEVEL

"'FREEBOARD

"!:I NE UNDERDRAIN

~ NM UNDERDRAIN' NW UNDERDRAIN' 'II::

""' SE UNDERDRAIN SM UNDERDRAIN SW UNDERDRAIN


UNDERDRAIN WATER METER TEMP CONDUCTIVITY DEPTH I INCHES READING oc µmbos/cin

'f. I' 1.tl' } ,,

1 ''

::J..". ,, 1 .

(')"

-~·· itJ.4. ., . / '.

'-r 21" i:..1. fL>,..~ ?..iGi:.. jq.'.' 27''1-s. 1.34: ()"

.:33'' ;;.~ 2 &~ . ·13 5•i:: -~'-II ..,,, • 'i',,,, ."ii 9,9},

,.._~_i;'

'' 5' 11" tf o/. l/.C;. -e ,)

1a.~ c.. J , •.

. 9" 7. Cf-< 16~). ~t::.

f'. j~.2'- ·~' 11/..j_'}~ " a, J~. /<g -< J.~.'1~

12." lb. qt, M5 1.5.) ~?

R & D POND LEVELS lDept:b = ts ft) REMARKS: fJ IJJ"-j is;. .. ,~,J L .. di I-IP.!

EAST LEVEL: 7,5 "-'--·nn;l J .. :..J ' Po•""'- .J::J: ~ -UEAST FREEDOARD; 7,5'

LAB RESULTS umhos/cm

..

EAST UNDERDRAJNf a" "COMMERCIAL POND FREEBOARD = 5 FT MIN WEST LEVEL:

""'WEST FREEBOARD: W£ST UNDERDRAIN:

WllOkly Evaporation l'ond Underdrnin Analysis SHEQG·9

7, 9" 7.1' (}>.,

Feb 16 Revised

"'"' R&D POND F.REEBOARD 111 3 FT MIN SAMPLER: IA~. /.r A/.,,,/.r~ ~ DATE: I,: /ir,1 /1i.

Rev2 Pagel of I

Attachment #2

Water Chemistry of the Affected Underdrains

Date

6/15/2016

Sample ID Cl mg/L ALK = CaC03 COND microseimen/cm Na mg/L S04 mg/L

Pond3 52470 3750 120,600 33580 5688

Pond 3 North West 30490 1588 76,100 18650 3350 Underdrain

Pond 3 North Middle 29071 1225 73,100 17610 3213 Underdrain

Pond 3 South

West 48216 3315 113,000 30650 5019 Underdrain

Pond 3 South Middle 41835 1850 99,900 25610 4440 Underdrain

__ _J

Date

6/8/2016

Sample ID Cl mg/L ALK = CaC03 COND microseimen/cm Na mg/L S04 mg/L

Pond 3 51761 3750 121,200 34340 5480

Pond 3 North

Middle 29071 1350 74,800 17940 3350 Underdrain

Pond 3 South West 48216 3350 112,500 30970 5158 Underdrain

Pond 3 South Middle 39707 1850 98,300 25800 4476 Underdrain

Pond 3

Northwest Underdrain level was 2". Could not obtain a sample. Underdrain

. I

Date

6/1/2016

Sample ID Cl mg/L ALK= CaC03 COND microseimen/cm Na mg/L S04 mg/L

Pond 3 52470 3800 119,000 32410 5411

Pond 3 North West 28362 1550 73,600 17290 3307 Underdrain

Pond 3 North


Pond 3 South West 48925 3300 112,900 30200 5194 Underdrain

Pond 3 South


Date

5/25/2016

Sample ID Cl mg/L ALK=CaC03 COND microseimen/cm Na mg/L S04 mg/L

Pond 3 49634 3700 117,600 31380 4994

Pond 3 North

West 29781 1500 74,900 17890 3019 Underdrain

Pond3 North Middle 35456 1850 89,900 22350 3887 Underdrain

Pond3 South West 48216 3300 112,200 29870 4758 Underdrain

Pond 3 South


Date

5/18/2016

Sample ID Cl mg/L ALK= CaC03 COND microseimen/cm Na mg/L S04 mg/L

Pond 3 49634 3550 113,300 31010 4944

Pond 3 North

West 24817 1300 63,400 14440 2589 Underdrain

Pond 3 North Middle 46089 3025 112,100 28660 4837 Underdrain

Pond 3 South

West 46798 3275 113,500 29420 4736 Underdrain

Pond 3 South


Attachment #3

Commercial Pond Monitor Well Analysis

6-14-16

MO

Commercial Pond Monitor #1


Alk

mg/L

201

185

Cl

mg/L

11.9

6.7

um hos mg/L mg/L

463 14.93 17.93

433 14.45 15.65

6-8-16

MO



Alk

mg/L mg/L

201 11.5

184 6.6

um hos mg/L mg/L

459 15.53 16.36

420 14.78 14.38

6-1-16

MO



Alk

rng/L

199

184

Cl

rng/L

11.0

6.5

Cond Na

um hos rng/L rng/L

460 14.82 14.80

421 14.68 13.90

5-25-16

MO



mg/L

199

184

Cl

mg/L

11.3

6.6

Na

um hos mg/L mg/L

466 14.89 15.58

424 14.31 14.77

1--

5-18-16

MO



Alk

mg/L mg/L

200 11.0

184 6.5

Cond

um hos mg/L mg/L

462 15.45 16.57

421 14.47 13.61

Documents

Cameco Resources Crow Butte Operation · Cameco Resources Crow Butte Operation 86 Crow Butte Road P.O. Box 169 Crawford, Nebraska 69339-0169 June 16, 2016 CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT