NEW DIRECTIONS
A publication of the Department of Energy’s Miamisburg Environmental Management Project November 1999Mound - A Look Back in History . . . Year 1957
The Civilian Power Reactor program to develop reactors suitable for the production of power for civilian use began. Mound began in early 1957 to investigate an aqueous system containing plutonium as a fuel for homogeneous reactors.
Magazine 7 (387 square foot) and Magazine 11 (372 square foot) reinforced concrete structures were built for storage of pyrotechnics and energetic materials. The structures were demolished in 1998.
Source:
Determination of the Historical/Archeological Significance of the Mound Facility, Mound unclassified documentPRS66 UPDATE
During the October 15, 1999 Mound Reuse Committee meeting, the PRS 66 Sampling Plan was presented for further comment. Rick Provencher, DOE Site Director, MEMP, stated during his update that comments received from stakeholders including EHS, University of Cincinnati, MESH, City of Miamisburg, and NIN had been incorporated into the Sampling Plan. Upon further discussion, it was agreed that revision to one section of the Sampling Plan will continue in parallel with the beginning of PRS 66 sampling which began on October 19, 1999.
Miamisburg Mound Community ImprovementCorporation continues construction on the East Boundary Project
Construction continues by the MMCIC on the capital improvement project for Parcel H. The lower parking lot has been opened for employee and visitor parking in designated areas. The reopening of the parking lot was in response to the need for sampling to begin in PRS 66 where employee parking was located. Construction at Parcel H is scheduled for completion in late 1999.
The Mound Action Committee (MAC) met on October 15, 1999. Attendees include: Dann Bird, MMCIC; Brian Nickel, Ohio EPA; Jane Greenwalt, DOE, Anthony Campbell, OHEPA and Dottie Atkins, BWXT of Ohio.
Jane Greenwalt discussed the defunct Marion facility in Ohio, and the reason why it has been in the Cleveland and Columbus area news. Review of archived documents indicate the facility was never used. The facility was built as a backup to the Mound facility, but was never activated. Review of archived information is continuing.
A suggestion for a future MAC meeting was proposed during the meeting. Presentation of the tritium profile of the Mound facility would benefit members by enhancing understanding of Mound. Dottie Atkins announced that a the railcar tour would not be possible on October 19 because that railcars are not scheduled to be on site that week. MAC members will be informed of the new date. The MAC meeting adjourned, and members attended the Mound Reuse Committee meeting at the same location.
The next MAC meeting scheduled for 9:00, November 12, 1999 at the Miamisburg Civic Center, Activities Room 10 North First Street, Miamisburg (937)866-3303. All interested parties are invited to attend. For further information, please contact Jane Greenwalt at (937) 865-3116.
During the PRS 99/100
project to remove contaminated material in the parking lot, it was decided to follow up
drilling samples with trenching to encompass the complete anomaly. Trenches allow
for visual inspection of waste areas compared to small samples from drilling. The
excavation did in fact locate the earlier suspected waste material. Excavation
continued until all waste material located (including metal debris), sand, or dissimilar
soils were removed and bedrock was encountered. Verification samples were collected
in both the vertical and horizontal directions and the area was backfilled to grade.
The waste was containerized and is awaiting shipment to a disposal facility.
A Radiological
Work Permit (RWP) and Health and Safety Plan prescribed standard-of-the-industry
protection for the workers specific to task and work area. Those plans were updated
as necessary to ensure continued worker safety. Daily meeting with workers were held
to emphasize safety and present new or noteworthy tasks and/or hazards associated with
activities planned for the day. Radiological surveys, air monitoring, and sampling
of soil and debris documented that workers were protected.
USED Concrete Crusher SAVES $400k The Chamberlain Group Ltd., a small business working in cooperation with BWXT of Ohio, brought to Mound a 200 ton per hour stone/concrete crusher. The procurement of the used machine saved approximately $400K and is expected to generate $4-8M in savings over the life of the project
Questions can be referred to Jane Greenwalt, DOE Public Affairs Officer at (937) 865-3116 or by e-mail at jane.greenwalt@ohio.doe.gov or Mark Becker, Babcock & Wilcox of Ohio Public Affairs Office, at (937) 865-4450 or by e-mail at beckmc@doe-md.gov.