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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
NICHOLS RANCH ISR PROJECT
URANIUM SOLUTION MINE
Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming
Volume I(Technical Report)
U.S.N.R.C. Source Material License Application
Revised January 2010
Revised January 2010 TR-i
Revised January 2010 TR-i
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME I TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
1.0 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES ......................................................................................... TR-11.1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... TR-11.2 GENERAL SOLUTION M INING PROCESS ............................................... TR-21.3 ADVANTAGES OF ISR URANIUM MINING ............................................ TR-31.4 ORE AMENABILITY OF ISR URANIUM MINING .................................. TR-3
2.0 SITE CHARACTERIZATION ................................................................................... TR-52.1 SITE LOCATION AND LAYOUT ................................................................ TR-52.2 USES OF ADJACENT LANDS AND WATERS .......................................... TR-6
2.2.1 General ............................................................................................. TR-62.2.2 Agricultural ...................................................................................... TR-72.2.3 Recreation ........................................................................................ TR-82.2.4 W ater Rights .................................................................................... TR-82.2.5 Industrial .......................................................................................... TR-9
2.2.5.1 General/Oil/Gas ................................................................ TR-92.2.5.2 Coal Bed M ethane ............................................................. TR-10
2.3 POPULATION DISTRIBUTION .................................................................. TR-1 12.4 HISTORIC, SCENIC, AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................. TR-17
2.4.1 General ............................................................................................. TR-172.4.2 Cultural Resources ........................................................................... TR-172.4.3 Paleontological Resources ............................................................... TR-212.4.4 Cultural Resource M itigation ........................................................... TR-222.4.5 Scenic Resources ............................................................................. TR-22
2.5 M ETEOROLOGY .......................................................................................... TR-252.5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... TR-252.5.2 Regional Overview .......................................................................... TR-26
2.5.2.1 Temperature ...................................................................... TR-272.5.2.2 Precipitation ...................................................................... TR-312.5.2.3 W ind .................................................................................. TR-342.5.2.4 W ind Speed ....................................................................... TR-352.5.2.5 W ind Direction .................................................................. TR-352.5.2.6 Hum idity ........................................................................... TR-352.5.2.7 Evaporation ....................................................................... TR-362.5.2.8 Severe W eather ................................................................. TR-362.5.2.9 M ixing Height ................................................................... TR-37
2.5.3 Site Specific Analysis ...................................................................... TR-372.5.3.1 Temperature ...................................................................... TR-372.5.3.2 Precipitation ...................................................................... TR-382.5.3.3 W ind .................................................................................. TR-382.5.3.4 Effects of Local Terrain .................................................... TR-44
November 2007 TR-ii
November 2007 TR-ii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
2.5.4 Air Quality ................................................................ TR-452.5.4.1 General.......................................................... TR-452.5.4.2 Impacts.......................................................... TR-45
2.6 GEOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY ................................................ TR-502.6.1 Regional Geology ........................................................ TR-502.6.2 Site Geology............................................................... TR-522.6.3 Seismology ................................................................ TR-55
2.7 HYDROLOGY...................................................................... TR-562.7.1 Surface Water ............................................................. TR-56
2.7.1 .1 Drainage Basin Description................................... TR-562.7.1.2 Surface-Water Flow ........................................... TR-582.7.1.3 Surface-Water Quality ........................................ TR-622.7.1.4 Coal Bed Methane Surface Water ............................ TR-63
2.7.1.4.1 Permitted CBM/CBNG Discharge Facilities ... TR-632.7.1.4.2 CBM/CBNG Discharge Parameters .............. TR-642.7.1.4.3 CBM/CBNG Effect on SurfaceWater/Surficial Aquifer........................................ TR-68
2.7.2 Groundwater Hydrology................................................. TR-702.7.2.1 Geologic Setting and Well Construction .................... TR-712.7.2.2 Summary of Aquifer and Aquitard Properties .............. TR-74
2.7.2.2.1 Aquifer Properties................................... TR-742.7.2.2.2 Aquitard Properties ................................. TR-77
2.7.2.3 Groundwater Flow............................................. TR-782.7.2.3.1 Nichols Ranch Unit Water-Level Changes ....... TR-822.7.2.3.2 Hank Unit Water-Level Changes.................. TR-832.7.2.3.3 Coal Bed Water-Level Changes ................... TR-84
2.7.2.4 Groundwater Quality.......................................... TR-912.7.2.4.1 Coal Bed Methane Groundwater Quality......... TR-97
2.7.3 Water Rights.............................................................. TR-1012.7.4 Coal Bed Methane Wells and Oil/Gas Wells .......................... TR-1042.7.5 Exploration Drill Holes.................................................. TR-104
2.8 ECOLOGY.......................................................................... TR-1052.8.1 Topography............................................................... TR-1052.8.2 Soils ....................................................................... TR-1062.8.3 Vegetation ................................................................ TR-1072.8.4 Wildlife ................................................................... TR-108
2.8.4.1 General ......................................................... TR-1082.8.4.2 Federal Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and
Candidate Species.............................................. TR-1092.8.4.3 BLM Special Status Species ................................. TR-1 10
November 2007 T-iTR-iii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
2.9 BACKGROUND RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ........................ TR-1122.9.1 Surface Soil, Subsurface Soils and Sediment .................................. TR-112
2.9.1.1 Purpose and Procedure ...................................................... TR-1122.9.1.2 Sampling Methodology ..................................................... TR-1152.9.1.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results .............................................. TR- 1152.9.1.4 Hank Unit Results ............................................................. TR-119
2.9.2 Baseline Gamma Survey .................................................................. TR- 1192.9.2.1 Purpose and Procedure ...................................................... TR-1192.9.2.2 Survey Methodology ......................................................... TR-1232.9.2.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results .............................................. TR-1232.9.2.4 Hank Unit Results ............................................................. TR-126
2.9.3 Baseline Radon-222 and Direct Gamma Exposure Rates ................ TR-1302.9.3.1 Purpose and Procedure ...................................................... TR-1302.9.3.2 Survey Methodology ......................................................... TR-1302.9.3.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results .............................................. TR-1312.9.3.4 Hank Unit Results ............................................................. TR-133
2.9.4 Flora and Fauna ................................................................................ TR -1332.9.4.1 Purpose and Procedure ...................................................... TR-1332.9.4.2 M ethods ............................................................................. TR -1362.9.4.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results .............................................. TR-1362.9.4.4 Hank Unit Results ............................................................. TR-138
2.9.5 R adon Flux ....................................................................................... T R -1382.10 BACKGROUND NONRADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ............. TR-138
2.10.1 Nonradioactive Airborne Effluents ................................................ TR-1382.10.2 Nonradioactive Liquid Effluents .................................................... TR-1402.10.3 Nonradioactive Baseline Studies ................................................... TR-140
2.10.3.1 Soils ................................................................................. T R -1402.10.3.2 V egetation ....................................................................... TR -1402.10.3.3 G roundw ater ................................................................... TR -141
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITIES ..................................................................... TR-1433.1 IN SITU RECOVERY PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT ................................ TR-1433.2 SITE FACILITIES LAYOUT ........................................................................ TR-144
3.2.1 Nichols Ranch Unit - Central Processing Plant .............................. TR-1443.2.2 Hank Unit - Satellite Facility .......................................................... TR-1453.2.3 Process D escription .......................................................................... TR -146
3.2.3.1 Uranium Recovery ............................................................ TR-1463.2.3.2 Lixiviant Composition ...................................................... TR-1463.2.3.3 Process Plant Circuits ....................................................... TR-147
3.2.4 Chem ical Reactions ......................................................................... TR-148
November 2007 TR-iv
November 2007 TR-iv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
3.2.4.1 Underground Recovery ..................................................... TR-1483.2.4.2 Ion Exchange .................................................................... TR -1493.2.4.3 Elution Process and Resin Handling ................................. TR-1493.2.4.4 Yellowcake Production ..................................................... TR-150
3.2.5 Flow and Material Balance .............................................................. TR-1513.2.6 Sources of Plant Liquid Effluents and Disposal Methods ............... TR-1513.2.7 Airborne Effluents and Solid Wastes ................................................ TR-154
3.3 CHEMICAL STORAGE FACILITIES .......................................................... TR-1553.3.1 Process Related Chemicals .............................................................. TR-1563.3.2 Nonprocess Related Chemicals ........................................................ TR-157
3.4 W E LLFIE LD S ................................................................................................ TR -1583.4 .1 O re Z one .......................................................................................... T R -1583.4.2 W ellfield A reas ................................................................................ TR -1583.4.3 Wellfield Injection and Recovery Patterns ...................................... TR-1593.4.4 Wellfield Operations - Production Areas ........................................ TR-1613.4.5 W ell C om pletion .............................................................................. TR -1623.4.6 Well Casing Integrity ....................................................................... TR-1643.4.7 Monitoring of Wellfield Flow and Pressure .................................... TR-1653.4.8 Monitor Well Ring Gradient Reversal ............................................. TR-165
3.5 PLANT EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTATION, AND CONTROL ............. TR-1683.6 SPILLS AND EXCURSIONS ........................................................................ TR-171
3.6.1 Excursion Reporting ........................................................................ TR-1723.6.2 Maintenance, Spill Prevention and Spill Reporting ......................... TR-1733.6.3 Flow Alarms for Leak Detection ..................................................... TR-1743.6.4 Inspections for Wellfields and Header Houses ................................ TR-174
4.0 EFFLUENT CONTROL SYSTEMS .......................................................................... TR- 1754.1 GASEOUS AND AIRBORNE PARTICULATES ........................................ TR-175
4.1.1 R adon ............................................................................................... T R - 1754.1.1.1 General Area Ventilation .................................................. TR-1754.1.1.2 Local Ventilation .............................................................. TR-176
4.1.2 P articulate ........................................................................................ T R -1764.2 LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS ................................................................................ TR-178
4.2.1 Liquid Effluents ............................................................................... TR-1784.2.2 Solid W astes ..................................................................................... T R -179
4.2.2.1 Noncontaminated solid waste ........................................... TR-1794.2.2.2 Contaminated solid waste ................................................. TR-179
4.3 CONTAMINATED EQUIPMENT ................................................................ TR-1804.4 SYSTEM FAILURES ..................................................................................... TR-181
November 2007 TR-v
November 2007 TR-v
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Pag~e
5.0 OPERATIONS............................................................................... TR- 1825.1 ORGANIZATIONS ................................................................ TR-182
5. 1.1 Management .............................................................. TR-1825.1.2 ALARA ................................................................... TR-185
5.1.2.1 Philosophy ..................................................... TR-1865.1.2.2 Responsibilities................................................ TR- 186
5.2 MANAGEMENT CONTROL PROGRAM...................................... TR-1885.2.1 Administrative Procedures .............................................. TR-1 88
5.2.1.1 Operating Procedures ......................................... TR- 1885.2.1.2 Radiation Work Permits ...................................... TR-1885.2.1.3 Record Keeping ............................................... TR-1895.2.1.4 Reporting....................................................... TR- 190
5.2.2 Safety and Environmental Review Panel .............................. TR-1905.2.2.1 Organization ................................................... TR-1905.2.2.2 SER-P Procedures .............. ............................... TR-1915.2.2.3 SERP Records ................................................. TR- 1915.2.2.4 SERP Reports.................................................. TR- 192
5.3 MANAGEMENT AUDIT AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.................. TR- 1925.3.1 Audit ...................................................................... TR-1925.3.2 Inspections................................................................ TR-193
5.4 QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERSONNEL CONDUCTING THERADIATION SAFETY PROGRAM ......................................... TR-193
5.5 RADIATION SAFETY TRAINING.............................................. TR- 1955.6 SECURITY.......................................................................... TR-1975.7 RADIATION SAFETY CONTROLS AND MONITORING .................. TR-197
5.7.1 Effluent Control Techniques ............................................ TR-1975.7.1.1 Airborne Radioactive Effluents.............................. TR-197
5.7.1.1.1 Particulate........................................... TR-1985.7.1.1.2 Radon................................................ TR-199
5.7.1.2 Liquid Radioactive Effluents................................. TR-1995.7.1.2.1 Contingency for Unplanned Releases ............ TR- 199
5.7.1.3 Surface Releases .............................................. TR-2005.7.1.3.1 Subsurface Releases................................ TR-200
5.7.2 External Radiation Exposure Monitoring Program ................... TR-2015.7.2.1 Personnel Monitoring ......................................... TR-20 15.7.2.2 Exposure Rate Surveys ....................................... TR-202
5.7.3 Airborne Radiation Monitoring Program .............................. TR-2035.7.3.1 Airborne Uranium Particulate Monitoring .................. TR-203
5.7.3. 1.1 Breathing Zone...................................... TR-2045.7.3.1.2 Area.................................................. TR-2045.7.3.1.3 Action Level and Limit ............................ TR-205
November 2007 TR-vi
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
5.7.3.2 Radon........................................................... TR-2055.7.3.3 Radon Daughter Concentration Monitoring ................ TR-2055.7.3.4 Respiratory Protection Program.............................. TR-205
5.7.4 Exposure Calculations................................................... TR-2065.7.4.1 Uranium........................................................ TR-2065.7.4.2 Radon Daughters .............................................. TR-2075.7.4.3 Prenatal and Fetal Radiation Exposure...................... TR-2075.7.4.4 Recording Radiation Dose.................................... TR-208
5.7.5 Bioassay Program........................................................ TR-2085.7.6 Contamination Control Program........................................ TR-209
5.7.6.1 Surveys for Surface Contamination inRestricted Area ................................................. TR-209
5.7.6.2 Surveys for Surface Contamination inUnrestricted Area .............................................. TR-2 10
5.7.6.3 Surveys for Contamination of Skin andPersonal Clothing .............................................. TR-2 10
5.7.6.4 Surveys of Equipment Prior to Release toUnrestricted Areas ............................................. TR-2 11
5.7.6.5 Surveys for Contamination on Respirators.................. TR-21 15.7.6.6 Instrumentation................................................ TR-21 15.7.6.7 Survey Record ................................................. TR-212
5.7.7 Airborne Effluent and Environmental Monitoring.................... TR-2125.7.7.1 Stack Sampling................................................ TR-2125.7.7.2 Air Samples .................................................... TR-2125.7.7.3 Water Samples................................................. TR-213
5.7.7.3.1 Surface Water ....................................... TR-2135.7.7.3.2 Groundwater........................................ TR-213
5.7.7.4 Vegetation, Food, and Fish Samples......................... TR-2135.7.7.5 Soil and Sediment Samples................................... TR-2145.7.7.6 Direct Radiation ............................................... TR-2 14
5.7.8 Groundwater Monitoring Program ..................................... TR-2145.7.8.1 Pre-Operational Wellfield Assessment...................... TR-2 145.7.8.2 Monitor Well Spacing......................................... TR-2155.7.8.3 Production Area Pump Test .................................. TR-2165.7.8.4 Production Area Pump Test Document ..................... TR-2165.7.8.5 Baseline Water Quality Determination...................... TR-217
5.7.8.5.1 Data Collection ..................................... TR-2185.7.8.6 Statistical Assessment of Baseline Water Quality Data ... TR-2205.7.8.7 Restoration Target Values .................................... TR-2215.7.8.8 Upper Control Limits ......................................... TR-221
November 2007 TR-vii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Pa2e
5.7.8.9 Calculation of Upper Control Limits ................................ TR-2215.7.8.10 Operational Groundwater Monitoring Program .............. TR-2225.7.8.10.1 Monitoring Frequency and Reporting .......................... TR-222
5.7.8.10.2 Water Quality Sampling and AnalysisProcedures .......................................................................... T R -2235.7.8.10.3 Excursions ........................................................ TR-223
5.7.9 Quality Assurance ............................................................................ TR-2245.7.9.1 O rganization ...................................................................... TR -2255.7.9.2 Procedures ......................................................................... TR -2255.7.9.3 R ecords ............................................................................. T R -2255.7.9.4 Quality Control in Sampling ............................................. TR-2255.7.9.5 Quality Control in Laboratory .......................................... TR-226
5.7.9.5.1 Calibration .......................................................... TR-2265.7.9.5.2 Performance Checks .......................................... TR-2265.7.9.5.3 Quality Control Samples .................................... TR-226
5.7.9.6 Computational Checks ...................................................... TR-2275.7.9.7 Review and Analysis of Data ............................................ TR-2275.7.9.8 Review of Quality Assurance Program ............................. TR-227
6.0 RECLAMATION PLAN ............................................................................................ TR-2286.1 GROUNDWATER RESTORATION ............................................................ TR-228
6.1.1 Water Quality Criteria ...................................................................... TR-2306.1.2 Restoration Criteria .......................................................................... TR-2306.1.3 Groundwater Restoration Methods .................................................. TR-231
6.1.3.1 Groundwater Transfer ....................................................... TR-2336.1.3.2 Groundwater Sweep .......................................................... TR-2346.1.3.3 Groundwater Treatment .................................................... TR-2346.1.3.4 Restoration Monitoring ..................................................... TR-2366.1.3.5 Effectiveness of Groundwater Restoration Techniques .... TR-2376.1.3.6 Environmental Effects of Groundwater Restoration ......... TR-240
6.1.4 Restoration Stability Monitoring Stage ........................................... TR-2406.1.5 Well Abandonment .......................................................................... TR-241
6.2 SURFACE RECLAMATION AND DECOMMISSIONING ........................ TR-2426.2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... T R -2426.2.2 Surface Disturbance ......................................................................... TR-2426.2.3 Topsoil Handling and Replacement ................................................. TR-2436.2.4 Vegetation Reclamation Practices ................................................... TR-2446.2.5 Road Reclamation ............................................................................ TR-245
6.2.5.1 Access Roads .................................................................... TR-2456.2.5.2 Wellfield Access Roads .................................................... TR-246
November 2007 TR-viii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Pag~e
6.2.6 Site Decontamination and Decommissioning .................................. TR-2466.2.6.1 Reclaiming Disturbed Lands ............................................. TR-2466.2.6.2 Removing and Disposing of Structures and Equipment... TR-247
6.2.7 Final C ontouring .............................................................................. TR -2486.2.8 Financial Assurance ......................................................................... TR-248
7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ................................................................................ TR-2527.1 SITE PREPARATION AND CONSTRUCTION .......................................... TR-2527.2 EFFECTS OF OPERATION .......................................................................... TR-253
7.2.1 Surface Water Impacts ..................................................................... TR-2547.2.2 Ephemeral Drainages Impacts ......................................................... TR-2557.2.3 Groundwater Impacts ....................................................................... TR-2577.2.4 A ir Q uality ....................................................................................... T R -2587.2.5 W ildlife Im pacts ............................................................................... TR -260
7.2.5.1 Endangered Species .......................................................... TR-2607.2.5.2 W ildlife ............................................................................ T R -260
7.2.5.2.1 Big Game ........................................................... TR-2617.2.5.2.2 Upland Game Birds ............................................ TR-2627.2.5.2.3 Waterfowl and Shorebirds ................................. TR-2627.2.5.2.4 Mammalian Predators ........................................ TR-2637.2.5.2.5 Lagomorphs ....................................................... TR-2637.2.5.2.6 Small Mammals ................................................. TR-2637.2.5.2.7 R aptors ............................................................... TR -2647.2.5.2.8 Nongame/Migratory Birds ................................. TR-2647.2.5.2.9 Reptiles and Amphibians ................................... TR-2657.2.5.2.10 Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, andCandidate Species and Special Status Species ................... TR-265
7.3 RADIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ......................................................................... TR-2667.3.1 Exposure Pathways .......................................................................... TR-266
7.3.1.1 Exposures from Water Pathways ...................................... TR-2667.3.1.2 Exposures from Air Pathways .......................................... TR-267
7.3.1.2.1 Site Description .................................................. TR-2687.3.1.2.2 Population Distribution ...................................... TR-2687.3.1.2.3 Individual Receptor Locations ........................... TR-2697.3.1.2.4 Time Parameters ................................................ TR-2707.3.1.2.5 Food Pathway Parameters .................................. TR-2707.3.1.2.6 Meteorological Parameters ................................ TR-2727.3.1.2.7 Source Terms ..................................................... TR-2727.3.1.2.8 R esults ................................................................ TR -272
November 2007 TR-ix
November 2007 TR-ix
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
7.3.1.2.8.1 Individual Receptor Dose............ TR-2757.3.1.2.8.2 Population Dose...................... TR-276
7.3.1.3 Exposures from External Radiation ......................... TR-2777.3.1.4 Total Human Exposures ...................................... TR-2777.3.1.5 Exposure to Flora and Fauna................................. TR-278
7.4 NONRADIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ............................................... TR-2797.4.1 Nonradioactive Airborne Effluents..................................... TR-2797.4.2 Nonradioactive Liquid Effluents........................................ TR-280
7.5 EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS ...................................................... TR-2807.5.1 Transportation Incidents................................................. TR-281
7.5. 1.1 Shipment of Refined Yellowcake............................ TR-2817.5.1.2 Shipments of Loaded Resin .................................. TR-2847.5.1.3 Shipment of Process Chemicals.............................. TR-2857.5.1.4 Shipment of 1 Ile(2) By-product Material for Disposal ... TR-2867.5.1.5 Transporting Employees To and From Project Site ........ TR-287
7.5.2 Tank Failure .............................................................. TR-2887.5.3 Pipeline Failure........................................................... TR-289
7.5.3.1 Process Pipelines .............................................. TR-2897.5.3.2 Coal Bed Methane Gas Pipeline Failure .................... TR-290
7.5.4 Fires and Explosions..................................................... TR-2907.5.5 Tornados.................................................................. TR-2917.5.6 Well Casing Failure...................................................... TR-2937.5.7 Aquifer Communication Through Old Exploration Holes ........... TR-2947.5.8 Aquifer Communication Through Coal Bed Methane and
Oil/Gas Wells ........................................................... TR-2957.5.9 Occupational Incidents .................................................. TR-295a
7.6 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTIONAND OPERATION............................................................. TR-2967.6.1 Benefits ................................................................... TR-296
7.6. 1.1 Employment ................................................... TR-2967.6.1.2 Taxes ........................................................... TR-2967.6.1.3 Roads ........................................................... TR-2967.6.1.4 United States Nuclear Energy Supply ....................... TR-296
7.6.2 Socioeconomic Costs .................................................... TR-2977.6.2.1 Public Facilities and Services ................................ TR-2977.6.2.2 Housing ........................................................ TR-2977.6.2.3 Impairment of Historical, Scenic, and
Recreation Values.............................................. TR-2977.7 MINERAL RESOURCE IMPACTS.............................................. TR-298
November 2007 TR-x
November 2007 TR-x
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Pag~e
8.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION ..................................................8.1 ALTERNATIVE MINING METHODS .........................................................8.2 ALTERNATIVE SITES .................................................................................8.3 ALTERNATIVE RECOVERY SOLUTIONS ...............................................8.4 GROUNDWATER RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES .............................8.5 LIQUID EFFLUENT DISPOSAL ALTERNATIVES ...................................
9.0 BENEFIT-COST SUMMARY ...................................................................................9 .1 G E N E R A L ......................................................................................................9.2 QUANTIFIABLE ECONOMIC IMPACTS ...................................................9.3 ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS ........................................................................9.4 SU M M A R Y ....................................................................................................
10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS AND CONSULTATIONS ............................10.1 PERMITS AND LICENSES REQUIRED FOR THE NICHOLS
RANCH ISR PROJECT ............................................................................
11.0 R E F E R E N C E S .........................................................................................................
TR-299TR-299TR-300TR-300TR-301TR-301
TR-302TR-302TR-302TR-303TR-303
TR-304
TR-304
TR-305
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1
Figure 1-2
G eneral Location M ap .........................................................................
Contour M ap of N ichols Ranch U nit ...................................................
Figure 1-3 Contour M ap of Hank Unit ..................................................................
Figure 1-4 Commercial, Pilot and Proposed Areas ...............................................
Figure 2-1 Access to Nichols Ranch ISR Project ..................................................
Figure 2-2 Location of Towns and Cities Within 50-Miles (-80 km)of Project Area .....................................................................................
Figure 2-3 Population Density Map for Wyoming Within 50-Miles (-80 km)of Project Area .....................................................................................
Figure 2-4 Campbell County Profile .....................................................................
Figure 2-5 Johnson County Profile ........................................................................
Page
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Figure 2-6 N atrona County Profile ........................................................................ M ap Pocket
November 2007 TR-xi
November 2007 TR-xi
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Figure 2-7
Figure 2-8
Figure 2-8a
Figure 2-8b
Figure 2-8c
Figure 2-9
Figure 2-9a
Figure 2-9b
Figure 2-10
Figure 2-10a
Figure 2-10b
Figure 2-1Oc
Figure 2-10d
Figure 2-11
Figure 2-11
Figure 2-11
Figure 2-12
Figure 2-13
Figure 2-14
Figure 2-15
Figure 2-15a
Page
Location of Regional Meteorological Stations ........................................... TR-27
Average Monthly Temperatures for Select Meteorological Stations ......... TR-29
Average Monthly Minimum Temperatures for Select MeteorologicalS tation s ........................................................................................................ T R -30
Average Monthly Maximum Temperatures for Select MeteorologicalStation s ........................................................................................................ T R -30
Seasonal Diurnal Temperature Variations at the Antelope Station ............ TR-31
Monthly Average Precipitation (in inches) for Select Stations .................. TR-33
Monthly Minimum Precipitation (in inches) for Select Stations ................ TR-33
Monthly Maximum Precipitation (in inches) for Select Stations ............... TR-34
Average Monthly Wind Speeds (mph) at the Antelope Station ................. TR-38
Annual Wind Rose 1987-2006 for Antelope Mine ..................................... TR-40
January through April Wind Roses ............................................................. TR-41
May through August Wind Roses ............................................................... TR-42
September through December Wind Roses ................................................ TR-43
Fugitive Dust Calculations (1 of 3) ............................................................. TR-47
Fugitive Dust Calculations (2 of 3) ............................................................. TR-48
Fugitive Dust Calculations (3 of 3) ............................................................. TR-49
Structural Map of Wyoming ................................................................ Map Pocket
Stratigraphic Column ........................................................................... Map Pocket
Seism ic Z one ........................................................................................ M ap Pocket
Surface Drainage Areas ....................................................................... Map Pocket
Nichols Ranch Unit Inundated Areas for 25 Year Flood ..................... Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xii
November 2007 TR-xii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Pa2e
Figure 2-15b Hank Unit Inundated Areas for 25 Year Flood .................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-16 Typical Aquifer and Aquitard Sequence at the Nichols RanchISR Project .......................................................................................... M ap Pocket
Figure 2-17 Nichols Ranch Unit Water Wells ......................................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-18 Hank Unit W ater W ells ........................................................................ M ap Pocket
Figure 2-19 Water-Level Elevation for the A Sand Aquifer ................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-19a Regional Water-Level Elevation for theA Sand Aquifer, FT-MSL Aquifer ...................................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-20 Water-Level Elevation for the F Sand Aquifer .................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-20a Regional Water-Level Elevation for the1 Sand Aquifer, FT-MSL Aquifer ....................................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-20b Hank Unit Water-Level Elevations for theF Sand Aquifer, 2008, FT-MSL Aquifer ............................................. Map Pocket
Figure 2-21 Water-Level Elevation for the B & C Sand Aquifers,2007, FT-M SL ..................................................................................... M ap Pocket
Figure 2-21 a Depth to Water in the F & G Sands and Cottonwood Alluvial at theN ichols Ranch Unit, in FT .................................................................. M ap Pocket
Figure 2-21b Depth to Water in the H Sand Aquifer at the Hank Unit, in FT .......... Map Pocket
Figure 2-22 Water-Level Elevation for the G & H Sand Aquifers,2007, FT-M SL ..................................................................................... M ap Pocket
Figure 2-23 Nichols Ranch Unit Surface Water Rights .......................................... Map Pocket
Figure 2-24 Hank Unit Surface Water Rights ......................................................... Map Pocket
Figure 3-1 Nichols Ranch Unit Site Facility Diagram .......................................... Map Pocket
Figure 3-2 Hank Unit Site Facility Diagram ......................................................... Map Pocket
Figure 3-3 Nichols Ranch Unit Process Flow Diagram ........................................ Map Pocket
Figure 3-3a Process Flow Diagram Nichols Ranch Unit ........................................ Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xiii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Figure 3-4
Figure 3-4a
Figure 3-5
Figure 3-6
Figure 3-7
Figure 3-8
Figure 3-8A
Figure 3-813
Figure 3-9
Figure 3-9A
Figure 3-913
Figure 3-9C
Figure 3-10
Figure 3-11
Figure 3-12
Figure 3-13
Figure 3-14
Figure 3-15
Figure 3-16
Figure 5-1
Figure 5-1 a
Hank Unit Process Flow Diagram .......................................................
Proposed Hank Satellite Plant Flow Diagram Details .........................
General Flow Process Schematic .........................................................
Plant M aterial Balance .........................................................................
Typical ISR W ater Balance .................................................................
Deep Disposal W ell .............................................................................
Nichols Ranch Unit Proposed M onitor W ell Locations ......................
Hank Unit Proposed M onitor W ell Locations .....................................
Typical 5-Spot W ell Pattern .................................................................
Header House Details ..........................................................................
Header House Ground Level ...............................................................
Header House Piping and Instrumentation ..........................................
Nichols Ranch Unit Production Areas .................................................
Hank Unit Production Areas ................................................................
Production, Restoration, and Reclamation Schedule ...........................
Typical (Injection/Recovery) W ell Construction Diagram ..................
Typical M onitor W ell Construction Diagram ......................................
Results of Simulation of Gradient Reversal forNichols Ranch Unit .............................................................................
Results of Simulation of Gradient Reversal forHank Unit ............................................................................................
Uranerz Organization ...........................................................................
Dryer Process Flow Diagram ...............................................................
Page
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
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Map Pocket
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Map Pocket
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Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
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Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xiv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Figure 5-2a Central Process Plant Survey Locations ..............................................
Figure 5-2b Process Satellite Process Plant Survey Locations ................................
Figure 7-1 Nichols Ranch Unit Predicated Drawdown in the A Sandat the End of Three Years of ISR, in FT .............................................
Figure 7-2 Hank Unit Predicated Drawdown at the End of Three Yearsof ISR for the F Sand, in FT ................................................................
Figure 7-3 Location of Nichols Ranch, Hank Sites and Nearest Residentsto Nichols Ranch Central Processing Plant .........................................
Figure 7-3a Exposure Pathways Diagram ...............................................................
Figure 7-4 Location of Cities Within 80 km of Nichols Ranch CentralProcessing P lant ...................................................................................
Page
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
Map Pocket
LIST OF TABLES
T able 2-1 N earest R esidents ........................................................................................
Table 2-2 Cities Within a 50-mi Radius of the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area ......
Table 2-3 Wyoming Population Data Campbell, Johnson, and Natrona Counties .....
Table 2-4 Population By Place, By Minority: 1990 and 2000 ....................................
Table 2-5 Previous Cultural Resource Inventories Within or near Uranerz EnergyCorporation's Nichols Ranch ISR Project Permit Area ..............................
Table 2-6 Previously Recorded Sites Within or near Uranerz EnergyCorporation's Nichols Ranch ISR Project Permit Area ..............................
Table 2-7 Meteorological Stations Included in Climate Analysis ..............................
Table 2-8 Annual Average Temperature for Select Stations ......................................
Table 2-9 Annual Average Precipitation for Select Stations ......................................
Page
TR-7
TR-12
TR-13
TR-16
TR-18
TR-18
TR-26
TR-29
TR-32
November 2007 TR-xv
November 2007 TR-xv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Table 2-10
Table 2-11
Table 2-12
Table 2-12a
Table 2-12b
Table 2-12c
Table 2-12d
Table 2-13
Table 2-14
Table 2-15
Table 2-16
Table 2-17
Table 2-18
Table 2-19
Table 2-20
Table 2-21
Table 2-22
E m issions Inventory ....................................................................................
Maximum Expected Earthquakes Intensities and Ground Accelerationsat the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Site ........................................................
Surface Drainage Properties, Estimated Peak Flows, and Velocities .........
Outfalls Inside and Within a One-mile Radius of the Hank Unit LicenseB ou n d ary .....................................................................................................
Outfalls Inside and Within a One-mile Radius of the Nichols Ranch UnitL icense B oundary .......................................................................................
WYPDES Effluent Limitations for Permits Within a One Mile of theH ank U nit Project .......................................................................................
WYPDES Effluent Limitations for Permits in or near the Nichols RanchP roject .........................................................................................................
Basic Well Data for the Nichols Ranch Unit Wells ....................................
Basic Well Data for the Hank Unit .............................................................
Summary of Aquifer Properties for the Nichols Ranch Unit ......................
Summary of Aquifer Properties for the Hank Unit .....................................
Summary of Groundwater Quality ..............................................................
Outfalls Located within Nichols Ranch Unit License Boundary ................
Williams Production RMT Company (WY0051161 and WY005441 1-10)Average Water Quality and Discharge Rates .............................................
Yates Petroleum Corporation (WY0056502) EstimatedWater Qualityand D ischarge R ate ...................................................................................
Vegetation/Habitat Types, Number of Acres, and SamplingIntensity, Nichols Ranch ISR Project, 2006 ..............................................
Radiological Background in Surface and Subsurface Soil - NicholsR an ch U n it .................................................................................................
Pag-e
TR-50
TR-56
TR-59
TR-64
TR-65
TR-66
TR-67
TR-72
TR-73
TR-75
TR-76
TR-92
TR-99
TR-99
TR-100
TR-108
TR- 116
November 2007 TR-xvi
November 2007 TR-xvi
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Pag~e
Table 2-23
Table 2-24
Table 2-25
Table 2-26
Table 2-27
Table 2-28
Table 2-29
Table 2-30
Table 2-31
Table 2-32
Table 2-33
Table 2-34
Table 5-1
Table 6-1
Table 7-1
Table 7-2
Table 7-3
Table 7-4
Table 7-5
Table 7-6
Radiological Background in Sediment - Nichols Ranch Unit ..................
Radiological Background in Surface and Subsurface Soil - Hank Unit ...
Radiological Background in Sediment - Hank Unit ..................................
Nichols Ranch Unit Gamma/Soil and Sediment Sample Locations ..........
Hank Unit Gamma/Soil and Sediment Sample Locations .........................
Ambient Radon-222 Levels - Nichols Ranch Unit ....................................
Background Gamma Exposure Rate - Nichols Ranch Unit .......................
Ambient Radon-222 Levels - Hank Unit ...................................................
Background Gamma Exposure Rate - Hank Unit ......................................
Radiological and Nonradiological Background Levels in VegetationN ichols R anch U nit ....................................................................................
Radiological and Nonradiological Background Levels in VegetationH ank U n it ...................................................................................................
Groundwater Baseline Water Quality Parameters .....................................
Restoration Target Values Parameters .......................................................
Uranerz Reclamation Seed Mixture ...........................................................
E m issions Inventory ...................................................................................
Population Distribution Within 80 km of Nichols Ranch CentralProcessing P lant .........................................................................................
Nearest Residents to Nichols Ranch Central Processing Plant ..................
Center of Site Boundary from Nichols Ranch CentralP rocessing P lant .........................................................................................
Development, Production, and Restoration Schedule ................................
MILDOS Input Parameters - Nichols Ranch Unit .....................................
TR-118
TR-120
TR-122
TR- 124
TR-127
TR-132
TR-133
TR-134
TR-134
TR-137
TR-139
TR-142
TR-219
TR-245
TR-259
TR-268
TR-269
TR-269
TR-271
TR-273
November 2007 TR-xvii
November 2007 TR-xvii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Table 7-7 MILDOS Input Parameters - Hank Unit ...................................................
Table 7-8 Summary of Total Effective Dose Equivalent to IndividualR eceptors, m rem /year ................................................................................
Table 7-9 Summary of Total Effective Dose Equivalent Site Boundary,m rem /year ..................................................................................................
Table 7-10 Summary of Total Effective Dose Equivalent to Populations,person-rem /year .........................................................................................
Table 7-11 Bulk Chemicals Required at the Nichols Ranch ISR Project ....................
Table 10-1 Permit and Licenses for the Nichols Ranch ISR Project ...........................
Pag-e
TR-274
TR-275
TR-276
TR-276
TR-286
TR-304
LIST OF EHXIBITS
Exhibit 2-1
Exhibit 2-2
Exhibit 2-3
Exhibit 5-1
Page
Previously Recorded Cultural Resource Sites ..................................... Map Pocket
Hank Unit WYPDES Outfalls and Associated Impoundments ........... Map Pocket
Nichols Ranch Unit WYPDES Outfalls andAssociated Im poundm ents .................................................................. M ap Pocket
Environmental Monitoring Locations .................................................. Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xviii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME II LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM 2A:
ADDENDUM 2B:
ADDENDUM 2B-2:
ADDENDUM 2C:
ADDENDUM 2D:
ADDENDUM 3A:
ADDENDUM 5A:
ADDENDUM 6A:
ADDENDUM 6B:
ADDENDUM 6C1:
ADDENDUM 6C2:
ADDENDUM 6C3:
ADDENDUM 7A:
ADDENDUM 7B:
ADDENDUM 7C:
Page
W ELL TA BLES ........................................................................... V olum e II
CLASS III CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORYOF THE URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION,HANK IN SITU URANIUM PROJECT ......... Refer to Confidential Binder
CLASS III CULTURAL RESOURCE INVENTORYFOR URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION'S,80-ACRE PARCEL IN THE HANK UNIT,CAMPBELL COUNTY, WYOMING ............ Refer to Confidential Binder
PALEONTOLOGICAL SURVEYHANK AND NICHOLS RANCH UNIT,PUMPKIN BUTTES, WYOMING ................. Refer to Confidential Binder
BASIC SEIMOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OFCAMPBELL COUNTY, WYOMING AND BASICSEIMOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF JOHNSONCOUNTY, W YOM ING ................................................................ Volume II
BLEED RATE REVERSAL PRODUCTIONS ............................ Volume II
URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION OPERATIONALGROUNDWATER SAMPLING PROCEDURE ......................... Volume II
LANDOWNER ROAD DESIGN CONTRUCTION LETTER ... Volume II
NICHOLS RANCH ISR PROJECT SURETY ESTIMATE ........ Volume II
RENO CREEK ISL HYDROLOGY ............................................ Volume II
RENO CREEK DEMONSTRATEDRESTORATION REPORT .......................................................... Volume II
HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS OF THE RENO CREEK-PATTERN 2 PROPERTY FOR IN SITUURANIUM RECOVERY ............................................................. Volume II
DRAWDOWN PREDICATIONS ................................................ Volume II
M ILD O S REPORT ....................................................................... V olum e II
MILDOS REPORT USING ACC DATA ................................... Volume II
November 2007 TR-xix
November 2007 TR-xix
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME Ill--ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTTABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 IN TR O D U C TIO N ....................................................................................................... ER -11.1 G E N E R A L ....................................................................................................... E R -i1.2 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION .................................... ER-11.3 THE PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................................ ER-21.4 APPLICABLE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS, PERMITS, AND
REQUIRED CONSULTATIONS .............................................................. ER-3
2.0 A LTERN A TIV E S ........................................................................................................ ER -52.1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTERNATIVES ............................. ER-5
2.1.1 No Action Alternative ....................................................................... ER-52.1.2 Proposed A ction ................................................................................ E R -52.1.3 Reasonable Alternatives Considered But Eliminated ....................... ER-6
2.2 OTHER ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED ................ ER-82.2.1 A lternative Sites ................................................................................ E R -82.2.2 Alternative Recovery Solutions ........................................................ ER-82.2.3 Groundwater Restoration Alternatives ............................................. ER-92.2.4 Liquid Effluent Disposal Alternatives .............................................. ER-9
2.3 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ............................................................................. ER-92.3.1 Air Quality and Noise ....................................................................... ER-102 .3.2 Soils ................................................................................................... E R -102.3.3 G roundw ater ..................................................................................... E R -112.3.4 Transportation Risk ........................................................................... ER-122.3.5 E cology ............................................................................................. E R -122.3.6 L and U se ........................................................................................... E R -132.3.7 Cultural R esources ............................................................................ ER -142.3.8 Public and Occupational Health ........................................................ ER-142.3.9 Socioeconom ics ................................................................................ ER -152.3.10 Visual/Scenic Resources ................................................................. ER- 162.3.11 Waste Management ......................................................................... ER-162.3.12 Environmental Justice ..................................................................... ER-16
2.4 COMPARISON OF THE PREDICTED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ... ER-17
3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................... ER-203.1 L A N D U SE ...................................................................................................... E R -20
3.1.1 Site Location and Layout .................................................................. ER-203.1.2 Uses of Adjacent Lands and Waters ................................................. ER-21
3.1.2.1 G eneral ............................................................................... E R -2 13.1.2.2 A gricultural ........................................................................ ER -233.1.2.3 R ecreation .......................................................................... E R -233.1.2.4 W ater R ights ...................................................................... ER -233.1.2.5 Industrial ............................................................................ E R -25
November 2007 TR-xx
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
3.1.2.5.1 G eneral/O il/G as .................................................. ER-253.1.2.5.2 Coal Bed M ethane ............................................... ER -25
3.2 TRAN SPO RTA TION ...................................................................................... ER-273.3 G EO LO G Y A N D SO ILS ................................................................................ ER -28
3.3.1 G eology ............................................................................................. ER -283.3.2 Soils ................................................................................................... ER -28
3.4 W A TER RESOU R CES ................................................................................... ER -293.5 ECO LO G ICA L RESO U R CES ........................................................................ ER -29
3.5.1 Topography ....................................................................................... ER-293.5.2 V egetation ......................................................................................... ER-303.5.3 W ildlife ............................................................................................. ER-32
3.5.3.1 G eneral ............................................................................... ER-323.5.3.2 Federal Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and
Candidate Species ............................................................... ER-323.5.3.3 BLM Special Status Species .............................................. ER-34
3.6 METEOROLOGY,CLIMATOLOGY, AND AIR QUALITY ....................... ER-363.6.1 Introduction ....................................................................................... ER-363.6.2 Regional O verview ........................................................................... ER-39
3.6.2.1 Tem perature ....................................................................... ER-393.6.2.2 Precipitation ....................................................................... ER-423.6.2.3 W ind ................................................................................... ER -443.6.2.4 W ind Speed ........................................................................ ER-453.6.2.5 W ind D irection ................................................................... ER-453.6.2.6 H um idity ............................................................................ ER-453.6.2.7 Evaporation ............................................................ ............ ER-463.6.2.8 Severe W eather .................................................................. ER-463.6.2.9 M ixing H eight .................................................................... ER-47
3.6.3 Site Specific A nalysis ....................................................................... ER-473.6.3.1 Tem perature ....................................................................... ER-473.6.3.2 Precipitation ....................................................................... ER-483.6.3.3 W ind ................................................................................... ER -483.6.3.4 Effects of Local Terrain ..................................................... ER-54
3.6.4 A ir Q uality ........................................................................................ ER-553.6.4.1 G eneral ............................................................................... ER-553.6.4.2 Im pacts ............................................................................... ER-55
3.7 N O ISE .............................................................................................................. ER -573.8 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................... ER-58
3.8.1 Cultural R esources ............................................................................ ER-583.8.2 Paleontological Resources ................................................................ ER-62
3.9 V ISU A L/SCEN IC RESO U R CES ................................................................... ER-633.10 SO CIO ECON O M ICS .................................................................................... ER -65
November 2007 TR-xxi
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
3.11 PUBLIC AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH................................... ER-673.11.1 Background Radiation .................................................. ER-673.11.2 Major Sources and Levels of Background Chemicals................ ER-723.11.3 Occupational Health..................................................... ER-723.11.4 Regional Public Health Studies ........................................ ER-72
3.12 WASTE MANAGEMENT........................................................ ER-73
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS........................................................... ER-744.1 LAND USE........................................................................... ER-74
4.1.1 Proposed Action........................................................... ER-744.1.2 Alternatives................................................................ ER-764.1.3 No Action Alternative .................................................... ER-76
4.2 TRANSPORTATION RISK........................................................ ER-774.2.1 Proposed Action........................................................... ER-77
4.2.1.1 Transportation Incidents....................................... ER-784.2.1.2 Shipment of Refined Yellowcake............................. ER-784.2.1.3 Shipments of Loaded Resin ................................... ER-814.2.1.4 Shipment of Process Chemicals............................... ER-824.2.1.5 Shipment of 11I e(2) By-product Material for Disposal .... ER-834.2.1.6 Transporting Employees To and From Project Site ......... ER-84
4.2.2 Alternatives................................................................ ER-844.2.3 No Action Alternative .................................................... ER-85
4.3 GEOLOGY AND SOILS IMPACT ............................................... ER-854.3.1 Proposed Action........................................................... ER-854.3.2 Alternatives................................................................ ER-864.3.3 No Action Alternative .................................................... ER-86
4.4 WATER RESOURCE IMPACT................................................... ER-874.4.1 Proposed Project .......................................................... ER-87
4.4. 1.1 Surface Water Impacts......................................... ER-874.4.1.2 Ephemeral Drainages Impacts ................................ ER-884.4.1.3 Groundwater Impacts .......................................... ER-90
4.5.1 Alternatives................................................................ ER-914.6.1 No Action Alternative .................................................... ER-92
4.7 ECOLOGICAL RESOURCE IMPACT........................................... ER-924.7.1 Proposed Action........................................................... ER-92
4.7.1 .1 Wildlife Impacts................................................ ER-924.7.1.1.1 Endangered Species................................. ER-924.7.1.1.2 Wildlife............................................... ER-92
4.7.1.1.2.1 Big Game............................... ER-934.7.1.1.2.2 Upland Game Birds ................... ER-944.7.1.1.2.3 Waterfowl and Shorebirds............ ER-94
November 2007TRxi TR-xxii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Pagie
4.7.1.1.2.4 M amm alian Predators ...................... ER-954.7.1.1.2.5 Lagom orphs ..................................... ER-954.7.1.1.2.6 Sm all M amm als ............................... ER-954.7.1.1.2.7 Raptors ............................................. ER-964.7.1.1.2.8 Nongame/Migratory Birds .............. ER-964.7.1.1.2.9 Reptiles and Amphibians ................. ER-974.7.1.1.2.10 Threatened, Endangered, Proposed,
and Candidate Species and SpecialStatus Species ................................ ER-97
4.7.1.2 Vegetation Impacts ............................................................ ER-984.7.2 Alternatives ....................................................................................... ER-984.7.3 No Action Alternative ....................................................................... ER-98
4.8 AIR QUALITY IM PACTS .............................................................................. ER-994.8.1 Proposed Action ................................................................................ ER-994.8.2 Alternatives ....................................................................................... ER-1004.8.3 No Action Alternative ....................................................................... ER-100
4.9 NOISE .............................................................................................................. ER-1014.9.1 Proposed Action ................................................................................ ER-1014.9.2 Alternatives ....................................................................................... ER-1034.9.3 No Action Alternative ....................................................................... ER-103
4.10 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCE IMPACTS ............................. ER-1034.10.1 Proposed Action .............................................................................. ER-1034.10.2 Alternatives ..................................................................................... ER-1044.10.3 No Action Alternative ..................................................................... ER-104
4.11 VISUAL/SCENIC RESOURCE IM PACTS ................................................. ER-1044.11.1 Proposed Action .............................................................................. ER-1044.11.2 Alternatives ..................................................................................... ER-1084.11.3 No Action Alternative ..................................................................... ER-108
4.12 SOCIOECON OM ICS IM PACTS .................................................................. ER-1084.12.1 Proposed Action .............................................................................. ER-1084.12.2 Alternatives ..................................................................................... ER-1094.12.3 No Action Alternative ..................................................................... ER-109
4.13 ENVIRONM ENTAL JUSTICE .................................................................... ER-i 104.13.1 Proposed Project ............................................................................. ER-1104.13.2 Alternatives ..................................................................................... ER-1104.13.3 No Action Alternative ..................................................................... ER-110
4.14 PUBLIC AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IMPACTS ............................ ER-114.14.1 Proposed Action (Public Health) .................................................... ER-1114.14.2 Alternatives (Public Health) ........................................................... ER-i1124.14.3 No Action Alternative (Public Health) ........................................... ER- 1124.14.4 Proposed Action (Occupational Health) ......................................... ER- 112
November 2007 TR-xxiii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
4.14.5 Alternatives (Occupational Health) .......... ...................... ER-i1134.14.6 No Action Alternative (Occupational Health)........................ ER- 113
4.15 WASTE MANAGEMENT IMPACTS .......................................................... ER-i1144.15.1 Proposed Project ............................................................................. ER -1144.15.2 A lternatives ..................................................................................... E R -1154.15.3 No Action Alternative ..................................................................... ER-i115
5.0 MITIGATION MEASURES ....................................................................................... ER-i1165.1 PROPOSED ACTION ..................................................................................... ER-116
5.1.1 Groundwater Restoration .................................................................. ER- 1165.1.1.1 Water Quality Criteria ........................................................ ER- 1165.1.1.2 Restoration Criteria ............................................................ ER-i1175.1.1.3 Groundwater Restoration Methods .................................... ER- 118
5.1.1.3.1 Groundwater Transfer ......................................... ER-1195.1.1.3.2 Groundwater Sweep ............................................ ER-1205.1.1.3.3 Groundwater Treatment ...................................... ER-1205.1.1.3.4 Restoration Monitoring ....................................... ER- 122
5.1.1.4 Restoration Stability Monitoring Stage ............................. ER- 1225.1.1.5 Well Abandonment ............................................................ ER-123
5.1.2 Surface Reclamation and Decommissioning .................................... ER-1245.1.2.1 Introduction ........................................................................ E R -1245.1.2.2 Surface Disturbance ........................................................... ER-1245.1.2.3 Topsoil Handling and Replacement ................................... ER-1245.1.2.4 Vegetation Reclamation Practices ..................................... ER- 1255.1.2.5 Road Reclamation .............................................................. ER-127
5.1.2.5.1 Access Roads ...................................................... ER-1275.1.2.5.2 Wellfield Access Roads ...................................... ER-127
5.1.2.6 Site Decontamination and Decommissioning .................... ER-1285.1.2.6.1 W ellfield ............................................................. ER -1285.1.2.6.2 Plant Dismantling ................................................ ER-128
5.1.2.7 Final Contouring ................................................................ ER-1295.1.2.8 Financial Assurance ........................................................... ER-129
5.1.3 Cultural Resource Mitigation ............................................................ ER-1305.2 A LTERN A TIV ES ............................................................................................ ER -1315.3 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ....................................................................... ER-131
6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS AND MONITORING PROGRAMS ...... ER-1326.1 RADIOLOGICAL MONITORING ................................................................. ER-132
6.1.1 Surface Soil, Subsurface Soils and Sediment ................................... ER-1326.1.1.1 Purpose and Procedure ....................................................... ER-1326.1.1.2 Sampling Methodology ...................................................... ER-134
November 2007 TR-xxiv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
6.1.1.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ............................................... ER-1356.1.1.4 Hank Unit Results ............................... ............................... ER-140
6.1.2 Baseline Gamma Survey ................................................................... ER-1456.1.2.1 Purpose and Procedure ....................................................... ER-1456.1.2.2 Survey Methodology .......................................................... ER-1456.1.2.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ............................................... ER-1466.1.2.4 Hank Unit Results .............................................................. ER-149
6.1.3 Baseline Radon-222 and Direct Gamma Exposure Rates ................. ER-1536.1.3.1 Purpose and Procedure ....................................................... ER-1536.1.3.2 Survey Methodology .......................................................... ER-1536.1.3.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ............................................... ER-1546.1.3.4 Hank Unit Results .............................................................. ER-156
6.1.4 Flora and Fauna ................................................................................. ER -1586.1.4.1 Purpose and Procedure ....................................................... ER-1586.1.4.2 M ethods .............................................................................. E R -1596.1.4.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ............................................... ER-1606.1.4.4 Hank Unit Results .............................................................. ER- 160
6.1.5 R adon Flux ........................................................................................ E R -1636.1.6 Q uality A ssurance ............................................................................. ER -163
6.1.6.1 C ollection ........................................................................... E R -1636.1.6.2 A nalysis .............................................................................. E R -1636.1.6.3 R esults ................................................................................ E R -163
6.2 PHYSIOCHEMICAL GROUNDWATER MONITORING ........................... ER-1646.2.1 Groundwater Monitoring .................................................................. ER-164
6.2.1.1 Regional Groundwater Monitoring .................................... ER- 1646.2.1.2 Pre-Operational Wellfield Assessment .............................. ER-1666.2.1.3 Monitor Well Spacing ........................................................ ER-i1666.2.1.4 Production Area Pump Test ............................................... ER-1676.2.1.5 Production Area Pump Test Document ............................. ER-1686.2.1.6 Baseline Water Quality Determination .............................. ER-168
6.2.1.6.1 Data Collection ................................................... ER-1696.2.1.7 Statistical Assessment of Baseline Water Quality Data .... ER- 1716.2.1.8 Restoration Target Values .................................................. ER-1716.2.1.9 Upper Control Limits ......................................................... ER-1726.2.1.10 Calculation of Upper Control Limits ............................... ER- 1726.2.1.11 Operational Groundwater Monitoring Program ............... ER-173
6.2.1.11.1 Monitoring Frequency and Reporting ............... ER-1736.2.1.11.2 Water Quality Sampling and Analysis
Procedures ......................................................... ER -1736.2.1.11.3 Excursions ......................................................... ER -174
November 2007 TR-xxv
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
*O TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
6.2.2 Q uality A ssurance ............................................................................. ER -1756.2.2.1 C ollection ........................................................................... ER -1756.2.2.2 A nalysis .............................................................................. E R -1756.2.2.3 R esults ................................................................................ E R -176
6.3 ECOLOGICAL MONITORING ..................................................................... ER-1766.3.1 W ildlife ............................................................................................. E R -176
6.4 A LTERN A TIV ES ............................................................................................ ER -1776.5 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ....................................................................... ER-177
7.0 CO ST BEN EFIT AN A LY SIS ..................................................................................... ER-1787.1 G EN E R A L ....................................................................................................... E R -1787.2 QUANTIFIABLE ECONOMIC IMPACTS .................................................... ER-1787.3 ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS ......................................................................... ER-1797.4 SU M M A R Y ..................................................................................................... E R - 179
8.0 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ....................................... ER-180
9.0 R E FE R E N C E S ............................................................................................................ E R -181
10.0 LIST O F PREPA RE R S .............................................................................................. ER -18510.1 URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION ...................................................... ER-18510.2 TRC ENVIRONMENTAL CORPORATION ............................................... ER-18510.3 CRAIG HOLMES CONSULTING ............................................................... ER-18610.4 OMEGA PROJECT SERVICES ................................................................... ER-18610.5 HYDRO-ENGINEERING, LLC ................................................................... ER-18610.6 WILDLIFE RESOURCES, LLC ................................................................... ER-18610.7 FRONTIER ARCHEOLOGY ....................................................................... ER-18610.8 T R E C IN C ..................................................................................................... E R -18710.9 ANDERSON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING .................................... ER-18710.10 BKS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATES, INC ........................................ ER-18710.11 STRATIGRAPHIC REX, LLC ................................................................... ER-187
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM 5A: LANDOWNER ROAD DESIGN CONSTRUCTION LETTER
ADDENDUM 5B: NICHOLS RANCH ISR PROJECT SURETY ESTIMATE
November 2007 TR-xxvi
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3-1
Figure 3-2
Figure 3-3
Figure 3-4
Figure 3-4a
Figure 3-4b
Figure 3-4c
Figure 3-4d
Figure 3-4e
Figure 3-4f
Figure 3-4g
Figure 3-4h
Figure 3-4i
Figure 4-4
Location of Regional Meteorological Stations ...........................................
Average Monthly Temperatures for Select Meteorological Stations .........
Average Monthly Minimum Temperatures for Select MeteorologicalS tatio n s ........................................................................................................
Average Monthly Maximum Temperatures for Select MeteorologicalS tatio n s ........................................................................................................
Seasonal Diurnal Temperature Variations at the Antelope Station ............
Monthly Average Precipitation (in inches) for Select Station ....................
Monthly Minimum Precipitation (in inches) for Select Stations ................
Monthly Maximum Precipitation (in inches) for Select Stations ...............
Average Monthly Wind Speeds (mph) at the Antelope Station .................
Annual Wind Rose 1987-2006 for Antelope Mine .....................................
January through April Wind Roses .............................................................
May through August Wind Roses ...............................................................
September through December Wind Roses ................................................
Construction Equipment Noise Levels .......................................................
Pag~e
ER-38
ER-40
ER-40
ER-41
ER-41
ER-43
ER-43
ER-44
ER-49
ER-50
ER-51
ER-52
ER-53
ER-102
Exhibit 2-1
Exhibit 2-2
Exhibit 4-1
Exhibit 4-2
LIST OF EXHIBITSPage
Nichols Ranch CBM Infrastructure ............................................... See Map Pocket
Hank Unit CBM Infrastructure ...................................................... See Map Pocket
Nichols Ranch Unit Wellfield Plan ................................................ See Map Pocket
Hank Unit Wellfield Plan ............................................................... See Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xxvii
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF EXHIBITS (Continued)Pag~e
Exhibit 4-3
Exhibit 4-4
Nichols Ranch Unit "A" Sand Drawdown and FreeFlow ing W ells ................................................................................ See M ap Pocket
Surface Water Reservoirs, Drainages & Wetlands ........................ See Map Pocket
LIST OF TABLES
Pag~e
Table 2-1 Comparison of Predicated Environmental Impacts .................................... ER-17
Table 3-1 N earest Residents ........................................................................................ ER -22
Table 3-2 Vegetation/Habitat Types, Number of Acres, and Sampling Intensity,N ichols Ranch ISR Project, 2006 ............................................................... ER-31
Table 3-2a Meteorological Stations Included in Climate Analysis .............................. ER-37
Table 3-2b Annual Average Temperature for Select Stations ...................................... ER-39
Table 3-2c Average Annual Precipitation for Select Stations ...................................... ER-42
Table 3-3 Em issions Inventory .................................................................................... ER-56
Table 3-4 Comparison of Measured Noise Levels with Commonly Heard Sounds ... ER-57
Table 3-4a Previous Cultural Resource Inventories Within or near Uranerz EnergyCorporation's Nichols Ranch ISR Project Permit Area .............................. ER-59
Table 3-5 Previously Recorded Sites Within or near Uranerz Energy Corporation'sNichols Ranch ISR Project Permit Area ..................................................... ER-59
Table 3-6 Cities Within a 50-mi Radius of the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area ...... ER-65
Table 3-7 Natural Background Radiation Dose Rates (mrem/year) ........................... ER-68
Table 3-8 Radiological Exposure from Various Sources in the United States ........... ER-69
Table 3-9 Radiation Dose Comparisons ...................................................................... ER-70
Table 3-10 Projected Dose Rates to Hypothetical Receptors at the License Boundariesand to Public Receptors (Time-Step 4, Maximum Activity Period) ........... ER-71
November 2007 TR-xxviii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Table 4-1
Table 4-2
Table 5-1
Table 6-1
Table 6-2
Table 6-3
Table 6-4
Table 6-5
Table 6-6
Table 6-7
Table 6-8
Table 6-9
Table 6-10
Table 6-11
Table 6-12
Table 6-13
Table 6-14
Bulk Chemicals Required at the Nichols Ranch ISR Project ......................
Projected Dose Rates to Public Receptors (Time-Step 4, MaximumA ctivity P eriod) ...........................................................................................
Uranerz Reclamation Seed Mixture ............................................................
Radiological Background in Surface and Subsurface Soil - NicholsR anch U n it ..................................................................................................
Radiological Background in Sediment - Nichols Ranch Unit ....................
Radiological Background in Surface and Subsurface Soil - Hank Unit .....
Radiological Background in Sediment - Hank Unit ...................................
Nichols Ranch Unit Gamma/Soil and Sediment Sample Locations ...........
Hank Unit Gamma/Soil and Sediment Sample Locations ..........................
Ambient Radon-222 Levels - Nichols Ranch Unit .....................................
Background Gamma Exposure Rate - Nichols Ranch Unit ........................
Ambient Radon-222 Levels - Hank Unit ....................................................
Background Gamma Exposure Rate - Hank Unit .......................................
Radiological and Nonradiological Background Levels in VegetationN ichols R anch U nit .....................................................................................
Radiological and Non-radiological Background Levels in VegetationH ank U n it ....................................................................................................
Groundwater Baseline Water Quality Parameters ......................................
G roundw ater Param eters .............................................................................
Pa e
ER-83
ER-1Il
ER-126
ER-137
ER-140
ER-141
ER-144
ER-147
ER-150
ER-155
ER-156
ER-157
ER-157
ER- 161
ER- 162
ER- 165
ER- 170
November 2007 TR-xxix
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME IV LIST OF APPENDICESPag~e
APPENDIX A: OWNERS OF RECORD OF SURFACE AND MINERALRIGHTS WITHIN THE PERMIT AREA (NICHOLS RANCHAND HANK UNIT AREAS) .............................................................. Volume IV
EXHIBIT A- 1:
EXHIBIT A-2:
APPENDIX B:
EXHIBIT B-1:
EXHIBIT B-2:
APPENDIX C:
SURFACE & MINERAL RIGHTS WITHIN PERMITBOUN D A RY ............................................................................... See M ap Pocket
SURFACE & MINERAL RIGHTS WITHIN PERMITBOU N D A RY ............................................................................... See M ap Pocket
SURFACE OWNERS OF RECORD WITHIN 1/2 MILE OFTHE PERMIT AREA (NICHOLS RANCH ANDHANK UN IT AREAS) ........................................................................ Volum e IV
SURFACE & MINERAL RIGHTS WITHIN 1/2 MILE OFPERM IT BOUNDARY ................................................................ See M ap Pocket
SURFACE & MINERAL RIGHTS WITHIN 1/2 MILEADJACENT BOUNDARY .......................................................... See Map Pocket
LEGAL DESCRIPTION, RIGHT OT MINE, AND NO RIGHTTO MINE LANDS WITHIN THE PERMIT AREA (NICHOLSRANCH AND HANL UNIT AREAS) ................................................ Volume IV
APPENDIX DI:D I.I.0 LA N D U SE ......................................................................................................... D I-1
D1.1.1 LAND RESOURCES ................................................................................. DI-1D1.1.2 DEMOGRAPHY ........................................................................................ DI-1
D1.1.2.1 Campbell County ........................................................................ DI-1D1.1.2.2 Johnson County ........................................................................... D1-2
D l.1.3 R EFEREN CE S ............................................................................................ D 1-2
Figure DI-1 Map of the Area Surrounding the Nichols Ranch ISR Project ................... D1-3
Figure D1-2 Nearest Resident Locations ................................................................... Map Pocket
Table D1-1 Residents Nearest to the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area .......................... D1-4
Table D1-2 Towns Within a 50-mi Radius of the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area ...... D1-4
APPENDIX D2:D 2.1.0 H ISTO RY ...............................................................................................................
D 2.1.1 PRO JECT BA CK G RO UN D .......................................................................D 2.1.2 H ISTO RY O F TH E A REA ........................................................................D 2.1.3 REFEREN CES ............................................................................................
D2-1D2-1D2-2D2-3
November 2007 TR-xxx
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME V TABLE OF CONTENTS
D 4.1.0 M ETEORO LO GICA L D A TA ................................................................................D 4.1.1 TEM PERA TU RE ........................................................................................D 4.1.2 PRECIPITA TION .......................................................................................D 4.1.3 W IN D ..........................................................................................................
D 4.1.3.1 W ind Speed ......................................................................D 4.1.3.2 W ind Speed Frequency ....................................................D 4.1.3.3 W ind D irection .................................................................D 4.1.3.4 W ind D irection Frequency ...............................................
D4.1.4 LAKE EVAPORATION AND EVAPOTRANSPIRATION .....................
D 4.2.0 A IR QU A LITY PERM IT .......................................................................................4.2.1 G eneral ...............................................................................................4.2.2 Im pacts ...............................................................................................
D 4.3.0 REFEREN CES ........................................................................................................
Page
D4-1D4-2D4-2D4-2D4-3D4-3D4-3D4-6D4-7
D4-8D4-8D4-8
D4- 14
LIST OF TABLES
Table D4-1
Table D4-2
Table D4-3
M ean M onthly Temperatures for Project Area ............................................ D4-1
Average Precipitation Values ...................................................................... D4-2
Emissions Inventory ..................................................................................... D4-13
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure D4-1
Figure D4-2
Figure D4-3
Casper Mean Hourly Wind Speed (mph) Based Upon Observations TakenBetween 1961 and 1990. (Extreme Annual Values Are Depicted) ............ D4-4
Casper January Wind Rose Based Upon Observations Taken Between1961 and 1990. (Speeds Are Measured in m/sec. Double the Values toA pproxim ate m ph) ....................................................................................... D 4-5
3-Hour Average Wind Direction by Month for Casper (1950-1990) .......... D4-6
November 2007 TR-xxxi
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Page
Figure D4-4
Figure D4-5
Figure D4-5
Figure D4-5
Casper Wind Direction Frequency Based Upon Hourly ObservationsTaken Between 1961 and 1990. The Maximum Annual Frequency IsD ep icted .......................................................................................................
Fugitive Dust Calculations (1 of 3) ..............................................................
Fugitive Dust Calculations (2 of 3) ..............................................................
Fugitive Dust Calculations (3 of 3) ..............................................................
D4-7
D4-10
D4-11
D4-12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
D 5.0 G EO LO G Y ................................................................................................................D 5.1 H ISTO RY ..................................................................................................D 5.2 REG ION A L G EO LO G Y ...........................................................................D 5.3 SITE G EO LO G Y .......................................................................................D 5.3.1 BRIN E D ISPO SA L ....................................................................................D 5.4 A BA N D ON ED D RILL H O LES ................................................................D 5.5 SEISM O LO G Y ..........................................................................................
Page
D5-1D5-1D5-2D5-4
D5-15D5-16D5-16
LIST OF TABLES
Table D5-1 Maximum Expected Earthquakes Intensities and GroundAccelerations at the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Site .................................. D5-18
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure D5-a
Figure D5-b
Powder River Basin Uranium Roll Front .............................................. M ap Pocket
Stacked Roll Fronts .............................................................................. M ap Pocket
Figure D5-1 Structural Map of Wyoming ................................................................... Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xxxii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Page
Figure D5-la Paleo Geographic Map Early and Middle EoceneW asatch Form ation ............................................................................... M ap Pocket
Figure D5-2 Stratigraphic Column ........................................................................... M ap Pocket
Figure D5-2a Diagrammatic Cross-section Showing Sedimentary Features ofPoint Bar D epostis ................................................................................ M ap Pocket
Figure D5-2b Block Diagram Fluvial Point Bar System ............................................. Map Pocket
Figure D5-3 Seismic Zone Map of Wyoming ........................................................... Map Pocket
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Pag~e
EXHIBIT D5a SURFACE GEOLOGY ................................................................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5b SUB-SURFACE GEOLOGY ............................................................. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-1 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT NORTH-SOUTHCROSS SECTION A-A' .................................................................... M ap Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-2 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT EAST-WESTCROSS SECTION B-B' .................................................................... M ap Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-3 HANK UNIT NORTH-SOUTH CROSS SECTION C-C' ................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-4 HANK UNIT EAST-WEST CROSS SECTION D-D' ...................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-5 REGIONAL EAST-WEST CROSS SECTION E-E' ........................ Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xxxiii
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME Va LIST OF EXHIBITSPag~e
EXHIBIT D5-6 HANK UNIT NORTH-SOUTH CROSS SECTION F-F' ................. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-7 HANK UNIT EAST-WEST CROSS SECTION G-G' ...................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-8 HANK UNIT EAST-WEST CROSS SECTION H-H' ...................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-9 HANK UNIT EAST-WEST CROSS SECTION J-J' ........................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-10 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT NORTH-SOUTHCROSS SECTION K-K' .................................................................. M ap Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-11 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT EAST-WESTCROSS SECTION L-L' .................................................................. M ap Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-12 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT EAST-WESTCROSS SECTION M -M ' ................................................................. M ap Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-13 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT B SAND ISOPACH MAP ................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-14 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT A-B SHALE ISOPACH MAP ............. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-15 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT A SAND ISOPACH MAP ................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-16 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT 1-A SHALE ISOPACH MAP .............. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-17 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT 1 SAND ISOPACH MAP .................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-17a HANK UNIT G-H SHALE ISOPACH MAP ................................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-18 HANK UNIT G SAND ISOPACH MAP ........................................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-19 HANK UNIT G-F SHALE ISOPACH MAP .................................. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-20 HANK UNIT F SAND ISOPACH MAP ........................................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-21 HANK UNIT C-F SHALE ISOPACH MAP .................................. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-22 HANK UNIT C SAND ISOPACH MAP ........................................ Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-23 HANK UNIT B-C SHALE ISOPACH MAP .................................. Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D5-24 HANK UNIT B SAND ISOPACH MAP ........................................ Map Pocket
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM D5A: BASIC SEISMOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION FORCAMPBELL COUNTY, WYOMING
ADDENDUM D5B: BASIC SEISMOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION FORJOHNSON COUNTY, WYOMING
November 2007 TR-xxxiv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME VI TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
D 6.0 H Y D R O LO G Y .................................................................................................. D 6-1
D 6.1 SU R FA CE W A TER .......................................................................................... D 6-1
D6.1.1 DRAINAGE BASIN DESCRIPTION ............................................................... D6-1
D6.1.2 SURFACE-WATER FLOW .............................................................................. D6-2
D6.1.3 SURFACE-WATER QUALITY ....................................................................... D6-3
D6.2 GROUND-WATER HYDROLOGY ................................................................. D6-3
D6.2.1 HYDROLOGIC SETTING & WELL CONSTRUCTION ............................... D6-4
D6.2.2 SUMMARY OF AQUIFER AND AQUITARD PROPERTIES ...................... D6-5
D6.2.2.1 AQUIFER PROPERTIES .................................................................................. D6-5
D6.2.2.2 AQUITARD PROPERTIES .............................................................................. D6-7
D6.2.3 GROUND-WATER FLOW ............................................................................... D6-8
D6.2.3.1 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT WATER LEVEL CHANGES ................................ D6-8c
D6.2.3.2 HANK UNIT WATER-LEVEL CHANGES .................................................... D6-8d
D6.2.3.3 COAL BED WATER PRODUCTION EFFECTS ON WATER LEVELS ...... D6-8e
D6.2.4 GROUND-WATER QUALITY ........................................................................ D6-1 lb
D 6.3 W A TER R IG H TS .............................................................................................. D 6-1 le
D6.4 COAL BED METHANE WELLS AND OIL/GAS WELLS ............................ D6-13
D6.5 EXPLORATION DRILL HOLES ..................................................................... D6-13
D 6.6 R E FE R EN C E S .................................................................................................. D 6-14
LIST OF TABLES
Page
D6-1 SURFACE DRAINAGE PROPERTIES, ESTIMATED PEAK
FLOWS, AND VELOCITIES ........................................................................... D6-15
D6-2 BASIC WELL DATA FOR NICHOLS RANCH UNIT ................................... D6-16
D6-3 BASIC WELL DATA FOR HANK UNIT ........................................................ D6-17
D6-4 SUMMARY OF AQUIFER PROPERTIES FOR NICHOLSR A N C H U N IT ................................................................................................... D 6-18
November 2007 TR-xxxv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Pag~e
D6-5 SUMMARY OF AQUIFER PROPERTIES FOR HANK UNIT ...................... D6-19
D6-5a SUMMARY OF AQUITARD PROPERTIES AT NORTH BUTTE,R U TH and R U B Y .............................................................................................. D 6-20
D6-5b VERTICAL HYDRAULIC GRADIENTS THROUGH THE ADJACENTA Q U IT A R D S .................................................................................................... D 6-20a
D6-6 SUMMARY OF THE GROUND-WATER QUALITY .................................... D6-21
D6-6a BASELINE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PARAMETERS ................ D6-25
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
Pag~e
D6A SURFACE W ATER QUALITY ........................................................................ See Tab
D6B NICHOLS UNIT PUM P TESTS ....................................................................... See Tab
D6C HANK UNIT PUM P TESTS ............................................................................. See Tab
D6D GROUND-W ATER LEVELS ........................................................................... See Tab
D6E GROUND-W ATER QUALITY ........................................................................ See Tab
D6F SURFACE W ATER RIGHTS ........................................................................... See Tab
D6G GROUND-W ATER RIGHTS ........................................................................... See Tab
D6H COAL BED METHANE WELLS AND OIL/GAS WELLS ............................ See Tab
D61 EXPLORATION DRILL HOLES ..................................................................... See Tab
D6J AQUIFER-TEST THEORY .............................................................................. See Tab
D 6K PU M P TEST SO P .............................................................................................. See Tab
D6L URANIUM DATA SUBMISSION SPREADSHEETS .................................... See Tab
November 2007 TR-xxxvi
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME Via LIST OF FIGURESPag~e
D6-1 SURFACE DRAINAGE AREAS ...................................................................... See Tab
D6-1a NICHOLS RANCH UNIT INUNDATED AREAS FOR 25 YEAR FLOOD.. See Tab
D6-1b HANK UNIT INUNDATED AREAS FOR 25 YEAR FLOOD ....................... See Tab
D6-2 TYPICAL AQUIFER AND AQUITARD SEQUENCE AT THENICHOLS RANCH PERM IT ............................................................................ See Tab
D6-3 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT WATER WELLS ................................................... See Tab
D6-4 HANK UNIT WATER WELLS ........................................................................ See Tab
D6-5 WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE A SAND AQUIFER,2007, ft-m sl ........................................................................................................ See T ab
D6-5a REGIONAL WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE A SANDA Q U IFER , 1980, ft-m sl ..................................................................................... See Tab
D6-6 REGIONAL WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE F SANDA Q U IFER , 2007, ft-m sl ..................................................................................... See Tab
D6-6a REGIONAL WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE 1 SANDA Q U IFER , 1980, ft-m sl ..................................................................................... See Tab
D6-6b HANK UNIT WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE F SANDA Q U IFER , 2007, ft-m sl ..................................................................................... See Tab
D6-6c REGIONAL WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE B SANDA Q U IFER , 2007, ft-m sl ..................................................................................... See Tab
D6-7 REGIONAL WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE C SANDA Q U IFER , 2007, ft-m sl ..................................................................................... See Tab
D6-7a DEPTH TO WATER IN THE F AND G SANDS AND COTTONWOODALLUVIAL AQUIFERS AT THE NICHOLS RANCH UNIT, 2009,IN F E E T ............................................................................................................. S ee T ab
D6-7b DEPTH TO WATER IN THE H SAND AQUIFER AT THE HANKU N IT, 2009, IN FEET ....................................................................................... See Tab
D6-7c WATER-LEVEL ELEVATION FOR THE G SAND AQUIFER,2007, ft-m sl ........................................................................................................ See T ab
D6-8 WATER-LEVEL ELEVATIONS FOR THE H SAND AQUIFER,2009, ft-m sl ........................................................................................................ See T ab
D6-8a DEEP WELLS AND DRILL HOLES NEAR NICHOLS RANCHP E R M IT ............................................................................................................. See T ab
D6-8b LOCATION OF COAL BED MONITORING ................................................. See Tab
November 2007 TR-xxxvii
November 2007 TR-xxxvii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME Via LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)Page
D6-8c PREDICTED WATER LEVEL CHANGES IN COAL ANDOV ERLY IN G LA YERS .................................................................................... See Tab
D6-9 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT SURFACE WATER RIGHTS ............................... See Tab
D6-10 HANK UNIT SURFACE WATER RIGHTS .................................................... See Tab
LIST OF EXHIBITS
PagS e
D6-1 NICHOLS RANCH WATER WELLS - 3 MILE RADIUS ...................... See Tab
D6-2 HANK WATER WELLS - 3 MILE RADIUS .................................................. See Tab
D6-3 NICHOLS RANCH COAL BED METHANE WELLS - 3 MILER A D IU S ............................................................................................................. See T ab
D6-4 HANK COAL BED METHANE WELLS - 3 MILE RADIUS ........................ See Tab
D6-5 TYPICAL COAL BED METHANE WELL LOG ............................................ See Tab
D6-6 NICHOLS RANCH AND HANK OIL & GAS WELLS - 3 MILER A D IU S ............................................................................................................. See T ab
D6-7 NICHOLS RANCH UNIT EXPLORATION DRILL HOLES ......................... See Tab
D6-8 HANK UNIT EXPLORATION DRILL HOLES .............................................. See Tab
November 2007 TR-xxxviii
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME VII TABLE OF CONTENTSPage
D 7.1.0 IN TR O D U C TIO N .................................................................................................. D 7-1
D 7.2.0 M ETH O D O LO G Y .................................................................................................. D 7-2D7.2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................... D7-2D7.2.2 PROJECT PARTICIPANTS ....................................................................... D7-2D 7.2.3 SO IL SU R V E Y ........................................................................................... D 7-2D 7.2.4 SO IL SA M PLIN G ...................................................................................... D 7-2D7.2.5 LABORATORY ANALYSIS .................................................................... D7-3
D7.3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................. D7-4D7.3.1 SOIL SURVEY - GENERAL ..................................................................... D7-4D7.3.2 SOIL MAPPING UNIT INTERPRETATION ........................................... D7-4D7.3.3 ANALYTICAL RESULTS ......................................................................... D7-9D7.3.4 EVALUATION OF SOIL SUITABILITY AS A PLANT GROWTH
M E D IU M .................................................................................................... D 7-9D7.3.5 PRIME FARMLAND ASSESSMENT ...................................................... D7-10
D 7.4.0 R EFER EN C E S ........................................................................................................ D 7-11
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM D7A: SOIL MAPPING UNIT DESCRIPTIONS
ADDENDUM D7B: SOIL SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
ADDENDUM D7C: ANALYTICAL RESULTS AND REPORT
ADDENDUM D7D: NEGATIVE PRIME FARMLAND DESIGNATION LETTER
LIST OF TABLESPage
Table D7-1 Soil Map Units Within the Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area ................. D7-5
Table D7-2 Soil Map Units Within the Nichols Ranch Unit .......................................... D7-7
Table D7-3 Soil Map Units within the Hank Unit .......................................................... D7-8
Table D7-2 General Soil Sample Information ................................................................ D7-10
November 2007 TR-xxxix
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF EXHIBITSPage
EXHIBIT D7-1: Nichols Ranch Unit Soils Map......................................... Map Pocket
EXHIBIT D7-2: Hank Unit Soils M ap ..................................................................... M ap Pocket
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
AMSL
ISR
NRCS
TRC
USDA
USGS
WDEQ/LQD
Above mean sea level
In Situ Recovery
Natural Resources Conservation Service
TRC Environmental Corporation
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Geological Survey
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division
TABLE OF CONTENTS
D 8.1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................
D 8.2.0 LOCATION ............................................................................................................
D 8.3.0 M ETHOD S .............................................................................................................D 8.3.1 M APPIN G ...................................................................................................D 8.3.2 SAM PLE SITE LOCATION ......................................................................D 8.3.3 COVER .......................................................................................................D 8.3.4 STATISTICAL EVALUATION S ..............................................................D 8.3.5 SPECIES LIST ............................................................................................D8.3.6 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, SPECIES OF
CONCERN, NOXIOUS WEEDS, AND SELENIUM INDICATORSPECIES ......................................................................................................
D 8.4.0 RESULTS ...............................................................................................................D8.4.1 MAPPING AND DESCRIPTION OF VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
Page
D8-1
D8-2
D8-3D8-3D8-3D8-4D8-4D8-5
D8-6
D8-7D8-8
November 2007 TR-xl
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
D8.4.1.1 Sagebrush Shrubland Community ............................................... D8-19D8.4.1.2 Mixed Grassland Community ...................................................... D8-19D8.4.1.3 Juniper Outcrop Community ........................................................ D8-20D8.4.1.4 Bottomland Community ............................................................... D8-20D8.4.1.5 Greasewood Shrubland Community ............................................ D8-21D 8.4.1.6 W etland Com m unity .................................................................... D8-21D 8.4.1.7 Rock Outcrop H abitat .................................................................. D 8-21D 8.4.1.8 D isturbed Lands ........................................................................... D 8-21
D 8.4.2 C O V E R ....................................................................................................... D 8-22D8.4.2.1 Sagebrush Shrubland Community ............................................... D8-22D8.4.2.2 Mixed Grassland Community ...................................................... D8-23D8.4.2.3 Juniper Outcrop Community ........................................................ D8-23D8.4.2.4 Bottomland Community ............................................................... D8-23D8.4.2.5 Greasewood Shrubland Community ............................................ D8-24
D8.4.3 STATISTICAL EVALUATIONS .............................................................. D8-24D 8.4.4 SPEC IE S LIST ............................................................................................ D 8-26D8.4.5 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOXIOUS WEEDS,
AND SELENIUM INDICATOR SPECIES ................................................ D8-26
D 8.5.0 C O N C LU SIO N S ..................................................................................................... D 8-28
D 8.6.0 LITERA TU RE CITED ........................................................................................... D 8-29
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM D8A: PHOTOGRAPHS OF VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
ADDENDUM D8B: SPECIES LIST
ADDENDUM D8C: COVER DATA BY TRANSECT FOR EACH VEGETATIONCOMMUNITY SAMPLED
ADDENDUM D8D: CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFESERVICE AND THE WYOMING NATURAL DIVERSITYDATABASE
November 2007 TR-xli
November 2007 TR-xli
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES
Table D8-1
Table D8-2
Table D8-3
Table D8-4
Table D8-5
Table D8-6
Table D8-7
Table D8-8
Vegetation/Habitat Types, Number of Acres, and Sampling Intensity,N ichols Ranch ISR Project, 2006 ................................................................
Total Number of Hits, Mean, Percent Absolute Cover, and PercentRelative Vegetative Cover, Sagebrush Shrubland, Nichols Ranch ISRP roject, 2 006 ................................................................................................
Total Number of Hits, Mean, Percent Absolute Cover, and PercentRelative Vegetative Cover, Mixed Grassland, Nichols Ranch ISRP roject, 2 006 ................................................................................................
Total Number of Hits, Mean, Percent Absolute Cover, and PercentRelative Vegetative Cover, Juniper Outcrop, Nichols Ranch ISRP roject, 20 06 ................................................................................................
Total Number of Hits, Mean, Percent Absolute Cover, and PercentRelative Vegetative Cover, Bottomland, Nichols RanchISR Project, 2006 .........................................................................................
Total Number of Hits, Mean, Percent Absolute Cover, and PercentRelative Vegetative Cover, Greasewood Shrubland, Nichols RanchISR P roject, 2006 .........................................................................................
Summary of Statistical Evaluation for Percent Cover for FiveVegetation Communities, Nichols Ranch ISR Project, 2006 ......................
Species Composition and Species Diversity, Nichols Ranch ISR Project...
Page
D8-7
D8-9
D8-11
D8-13
D8-15
D8-17
D8-25
D8-27
LIST OF EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT D8-1
EXHIBIT D8-2
Page
Hank Unit, Vegetation .... ......................... ...................... M ap Pocket
Nichols Ranch Unit, Vegetation .................................. Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-xlii
November 2007 TR-xlii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
GIS
GPS
ISR
NRCS
T&E
TRC
USGS
WDEQ/LQD
Geographic information system
Global positioning system
In Situ Recovery
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Threatened and endangered
TRC Environmental Corporation
U.S. Geological Survey
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division
TABLE OF CONTENTS
D9.1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................D9.1.1 HABITAT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...D9.1.2 DESCRIPTION OF SAM PLIN G AREA ..................................................
D9.1.2.1 Location and Size ........................................................................D9.1.2.2 Topography .................................................................................D9.1.2.3 Habitat and Vegetative Composition ..........................................
D9.2.0 SAMPLING METHODS AND RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .........................D9.2.1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................D9.2.2 BIG GAM E ................................................................................................
D9.2.2.1 Survey M ethods and Results .......................................................D9.2.2.2 Results and Discussion ................................................................
D9.2.2.2.1 Pronghorn .....................................................................D9.2.2.2.2 M ule Deer ....................................................................
D9.2.3 UPLAND GAM E BIRDS ..........................................................................D9.2.3.1 Survey M ethods ..........................................................................D9.2.3.2 Results and Discussion ................................................................
D9.2.4 W ATERFOW L AND SHOREBIRDS ........................................................D9.2.4.1 Survey M ethods ...........................................................................D9.2.4.2 Results and Discussion .................................................................
D9.2.5 M AM M ALIAN PREDATORS ..................................................................D9.2.5.1 Sampling M ethods .......................................................................D9.2.5.2 Results and Discussion .................................................................
Page
D9-1D9-1D9-2D9-2D9-2D9-3
D9-4D9-4D9-4D9-4D9-5D9-5D9-6D9-9D9-9D9-9
D9-12D9-12D9-12D9-12D9-12139-13
November 2007 TR-xliii
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Pag~e
D 9.2.6 LA G O M O RPH S ......................................................................................... D 9-13D 9.2.6.1 Sam pling M ethods ....................................................................... D 9-13D 9.2.6.2 Results and D iscussion ................................................................. D 9-13
D 9.2.7 SM A LL M AM M A LS ................................................................................. D 9-14D 9.2.7.1 Sam pling M ethods ....................................................................... D 9-14D 9.2.7.2 Results and D iscussion ................................................................. D 9-14
D 9.2.8 R A PT O R S ................................................................................................... D 9-14D 9.2.8.1 Sam pling M ethods ....................................................................... D 9-14D 9.2.8.2 Results and D iscussion ................................................................. D 9-15
D9.2.9 NONGAME/MIGRATORY BIRDS .......................................................... D9-20D 9.2.9.1 Survey M ethods ........................................................................... D 9-20D 9.2.9.2 Results and D iscussion ................................................................. D 9-20
D9.2.10 REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS ............................................................. D9-21D 9.2.10.1 Sam pling M ethods ..................................................................... D 9-21D 9.2.10.2 Results and D iscussion ............................................................... D 9-21
D9.2.11 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATESPECIES AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES .......................................... D9-21D 9.2.1 1.1 Sam pling M ethods ..................................................................... D 9-21D 9.2.11.2 Results and D iscussion ............................................................... D 9-24
D9.3.0 WILDLIFE IMPACTS AND MITIGATIVE MEASURES ................................... D9-27D 9.3.1 B IG G A M E ................................................................................................. D 9-27D9.3.2 UPLAND GAME BIRDS ........................................................................... D9-28D9.3.3 WATERFOWL AND SHOREBIRDS ........................................................ D9-29D9.3.4 MAMMALIAN PREDATORS .................................................................. D9-29D 9.3.5 LA G O M O RPH S ......................................................................................... D 9-29D 9.3.6 SM ALL M AM M A LS ................................................................................. D 9-30D 9.3.7 R A PT O R S ................................................................................................... D 9-30D9.3.8 NONGAME/MIGRATORY BIRDS .......................................................... D9-31D9.3.9 REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS ............................................................... D9-31D9.3.10 THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, AND CANDIDATE
SPECIES AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES .......................................... D9-31
D 9.4.0 R EFER EN C E S ........................................................................................................ D 9-33
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM D9A: DOCUMENTATION OF CONTACT WITH THE USFWS AND
WNDD
ADDENDUM D9B: WILDLIFE SPECIES LIST, NICHOLS RANCH ISR PROJECT
November 2007 TR-xliv
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES
Table D9-1
Table D9-2
Table D9-3
Table D9-4
Table D9-5
Table D9-6
Pronghorn Antelope Observations, Winter Big Game Survey, Hank andN ichols U nits, 2007 .....................................................................................
Mule Deer Observations, Winter Big Game Survey, Hank and NicholsR anch U nits, 2007 ........................................................................................
2006 Survey and Historic Greater Sage-grouse Lek Activity, UranerzW ildlife Study A rea .....................................................................................
Locations and Activity Status of Raptor Nests During the 2006 NestingS ea so n ..........................................................................................................
Federally Listed TEPC Animal Species Potentially Occurring in theNichols Ranch ISR Project Area ..................................................................
Special Status Species by the BLM Buffalo Field Office ............................
Page
D9-7
D9-8
D9-10
D9-16
D9-22
D9-23
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Page
EXHIBIT D9-1
EXHIBIT D9-2
EXHIBIT D9-3
EXHIBIT D9-4
BFF
BLM
ISR
MBHFI
Pronghorn Antelope Wildlife Study Area ................................. Map Pocket
M ule Deer W ildlife Study Area ................................................ M ap Pocket
Raptor Nest, Greater Sage-grouse, and Prairie Dog ColonyW ildlife Study Area .................................................................. M ap Pocket
Mountain Plover Habitat and Survey Area Within WildlifeStudy A rea ................................................................................. M ap Pocket
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
Black-footed ferret
Bureau of Land Management
In Situ Recovery
Migratory Birds of High Federal Interest
November 2007 TR-xlv
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
NRCS
SS
TEPC
TRC
USFWS
WDEQ/LQD
WGFD
WNDD
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS (Continued)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Special status
Threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate
TRC Environmental Corporation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Wyoming Natural Diversity Database
November 2007 TR-xlvi
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
D 10.1.0 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................D 10.1.1 LOCATION OF PROJECT ....................................................................D 10.1.2 PERM ITTIN G REQUIREM EN TS .........................................................
D1O.2.0 SURVEY M ETHOD S ........................................................................................
D 10.3.0 RESULTS ...........................................................................................................D 10.3.1 INTRODU CTION ..................................................................................D10.3.2 RESULTS FOR NICHOLS RANCH UNIT ...........................................
D 10.3.2.1 W etlands ...................................................................................D 10.3.2.2 W U S .............................................................................
D 10.3.3 RESULTS FOR THE HAN K UN IT .......................................................D 10.3.3.1 W etlands ...................................................................................D 10.3.3.2 W U S .........................................................................................
D10.4.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................
D 10.5.0 LITERA TURE CITED .......................................................................................
D10-1D10-1D10-2
D10-3
D10-7D10-7D10-7D10-7D10-8D10-8D10-8
DI0-10
DI0-13
DIO-14
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM D1OA: PHOTOGRAPHS OF WETLAND SITES
ADDENDUM D10B: WETLAND DELINEATION FORMS
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure DlO-l NWI Information, Nichols Ranch Unit, 2007 ............................................
Figure D 10-2 NWI Information, Hank Unit, 2007 ...........................................................
Page
D10-4
D1O-5
D1O-9
D10-12
Figure D 10-3 WUS Locations and Wetland Sites Delineated on theN ichols Ranch U nit, 2007 (new ) ...............................................................
Figure DlO-4 WUS Locations on the Hank Unit, 2007 ...................................................
November 2007 TR-xlvii
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES
Table D 10-1
Table D 10-2
COE
FAC
FACU
FACW
GPS
ISR
NI
NRCS
NWI
OBL
PEMC
PEMF
UPL
USGS
WDEQ/LQD
WUS
Pag~e
Wetland Sites, Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area, 2007 ............................. D10-8
Linear Feet of WUS, Nichols Ranch ISR Project Area, 2007 ................... D1O-11
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
Corps of Engineers
Facultative
Facultative upland
Facultative wetland
Global positioning system
In Situ Recovery
Insufficient information
Natural Resources Conservation Service
National Wetland Inventory
Obligate wetland
Palustrine emergent seasonally flooded
Palustrine emergent semipermanently flooded
Upland
U.S. Geological Survey
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division
Waters of the U.S.
November 2007 TR-xlviii
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
VOLUME VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS
D131.1.0 BACKGROUND RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ............................ D11-1D11.1 SURFACE SOILS, SUBSURFACE SOILS, AND SEDIMENT .............. D11-1
Dl 1.1.1 Purpose and Procedure ................................................................ Dll-1D11.1.2 Sampling Methodology ............................................................... D 1-3D 11. 1.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ........................................................ DI 1-4D 11.1.4 H ank U nit R esults ....................................................................... D 11-8
D11.2 BASELINE GAMMA SURVEY ........................................................................... D1I-14D11.2.1 Purpose and Procedure ................................................................ Dl1-14Dl1.2.2 Survey Methodology ................................................................... D 1-14DI 1.2.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ........................................................ D 1-15D 11.2.4 H ank U nit Results ....................................................................... D 1l-18
DI11.3 BASELINE RADON-222 AND DIRECT GAMMAEX PO SU RE RA TES ................................................................................. D 11-22D1 1.3.1 Purpose and Procedure ................................................................ D 11-22D11.3.2 Survey Methodology ................................................................... D11-22D11.3.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ........................................................ D11-23D 11.3.4 H ank U nit Results ....................................................................... D I1-25
Dl1.4 FLORA AND FAUNA .............................................................................. D11-26D 1.4.1 Purpose and Procedure .............................. D 11-26D 11.4.2 M ethods ....................................................................................... D 11-27D 11.4.3 Nichols Ranch Unit Results ........................................................ D11-28D 11.4.4 H ank U nit R esults ....................................................................... D 11-28
D l1 .5 M IL D O S .................................................................................................... D 11-28D l1 .5.1 Site D escription ........................................................................... D 11-31D11.5.2 Population Distribution ............................................................... D 11-31D11. 5.3 Individual Receptor Locations .................................................... Dl1-32D13 1.5.4 Tim e Param eters ......................................................................... D 1-33D 11.5.5 Food Pathway Parameters ........................................................... D 1-35D11.5.6 Meteorological Parameters ......................................................... D11-35D 11.5.7 Source Term s .............................................................................. D 11-35D 11.5.8 R esults ......................................................................................... D l 1-38
D11.5.8.1 Individual Receptor Dose ............................................. D 1-38D 11.5.8.2 Population D ose ........................................................... D 11-39
D 11.2.0 R EFER EN C E S .................................................................................................... D 11-41
LIST OF ADDENDUMS
ADDENDUM Dl lA: MILDOS REPORT ......................................................................... Dl1-i
November 2007 TR-xlix
Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table D11-1
Table D 11-2
Table D 11-3
Table D 11-4
Table D11-5
Table D 11-6
Table D 11-7
Table D 11-8
Table D1 1-9
Table D11-10
Table D 1-11
Table DI 1-12
Table DI 1-13
Table D11-14
Table D 11-15
Table D11-16
Table D11-17
Table D11-18
Table D1 1-19
Radiological Background in Surface and Subsurface Soil -N ichols R anch U nit ....................................................................................
Radiological Background in Sediment - Nichols Ranch Unit ...................
Radiological Background in Surface and Subsurface Soil - Hank Unit ....
Radiological Background in Sediment - Hank Unit ..................................
Nichols Ranch Unit Gamma/Soil and Sediment Sample Locations ..........
Hank Unit Gamma/Soil and Sediment Sample Locations .........................
Ambient Radon-222 Levels - Nichols Ranch Unit ....................................
Background Gamma Exposure Rate - Nichols Ranch Unit .......................
Ambient Radon-222 Levels - Hank Unit ...................................................
Background Gamma Exposure Rate - Hank Unit ......................................
Radiological and Nonradiological Background Levels in VegetationN ichols R anch U nit ....................................................................................
Radiological and Non-radiological Background Levels in VegetationH ank U nit ...................................................................................................
Population Distribution Within 80 km of Nichols Ranch CentralP rocessing P lan t .........................................................................................
Nearest Residents to Nichols Ranch Central Processing Plant ..................
Center of Site Boundary from Nichols Ranch CentralP rocessing P lant .........................................................................................
Development, Production, and Restoration Schedule ................................
MILDOS Input Parameters - Nichols Ranch Unit .....................................
MILDOS Input Parameters - Hank Unit ....................................................
Summary of Total Effective Dose Equivalent to Individual Receptors,m rem /year ..................................................................................................
D1l-5
D11-8
Dl1-9
DI1-13
Dl1-16
DI1-19
D 11-24
D11-25
D11-25
D 11-26
D 11-29
Dl1-30
Dl1-32
Dl1-32
D11-33
D1 1-33
Dl 1-36
Dl1-37
Dll-39
November 2007 TR-l
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Uranerz Energy Corporation Nichols Ranch ISR Project
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Page
Table D1 1-20 Summary of Total Effective Dose Equivalent Site Boundary,m rem /year .................................................................................................. D 1-39
Table D 11-21 Summary of Total Effective Dose Equivalent to Populations, person-rem /year ..................................................................................................... D 11-40
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure Dli-1 Location of Nichols Ranch, Hank Sites and Nearest Residents toNichols Ranch Central Processing Plant ............................................... Map Pocket
Figure D 11-2 Location of Cities Within 80 km of Nichols Ranch Central ProcessingP lant ...................................................................................................... M ap P ocket
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Page
Exhibit Dl 1-1 Nichols Ranch Unit Soils and Sediment Sample Location Map .......... Map Pocket
Exhibit D1 1-2 Hank Unit Soils and Sediment Sample Location Map ......................... Map Pocket
Exhibit D 11-3 Nichols Ranch Unit Gamma Sample Location Map ............................. Map Pocket
Exhibit D 11-4 Hank Unit Gamma Sample Location Map ............................................ Map Pocket
November 2007 TR-li