7.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS
RER initiated baseline environmental studies at the Upton Plant site to comply with
requirements of the WDEQ-LQD for the permitting of the Bear Lodge Project which includes the
Bull Hill Mine and the Upton Plant. Map A-2 shows the locations of groundwater monitoring
wells, surface water sampling locations, the meteorological station, and hi-volume air samplers.
The following sections provide a summary of the status of the baseline studies.
7.1
AIR QUALITY
The Wyoming Ambient Air Quality Standards (WAAQS) and National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) are health-based standards which define the maximum concentration of air
pollutants allowed at all locations to which the public has access. EPA criteria air pollutants for
which standards exist are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO
2
), ozone (O
3
),
particulate matter less than 10 microns in effective diameter (PM
10
), particulate matter less than
2.5 microns in effective diameter (PM
2.5
), and SO
2
. The Upton Plant site area is in attainment for
all criteria pollutants meaning that all NAAQS and WAAQS are being met.
Five Hi-Q Model HVP-5200AFC, or equivalent, high-volume (hi-vol) air samplers with particle
size adapters were installed to monitor background radionuclide, lanthanide, and particulate
matter concentrations in ambient air. The locations of the air sampling stations are shown on
Map A-2. The stations have been positioned to monitor background (upwind) and downwind
impacts from the source areas (tailings management facility and process plant) within the
project area. Three types of particulate matter fractions are collected; 1) total suspended
particulates (TSP), 2) PM
10
and 3) PM
2.5
. PM
10
and PM
2.5
samples are collected bi-weekly from
each location during separate 24-hour sampling events. During the remaining time, each
sampler operates continuously collecting TSP. Each PM
10
and PM
2.5
sample is sent to an off-site
laboratory for gravimetric analysis of the collected particulate matter. Filters collecting TSP are
composited quarterly for each location and submitted to an off-site laboratory for analysis of
natural uranium, natural thorium, lanthanides, radium-226, and radium-228. The results of the
particle size and chemical analyses are provided in Attachment C.
Passive radon-222 detectors (track etch detectors) to monitor radon-222 concentrations in
ambient were be placed near each high volume air sampler location. In addition, four radon-222
detectors were placed in low lying areas in the drainages within the project boundary as shown
on Map A-2.
One meteorological station was installed at the Upton Plant site in 2012 to continuously monitor
site weather conditions as shown on Map A-2.
7.2
GROUNDWATER
A groundwater monitoring program was developed to characterize the groundwater baseline
conditions and to serve as the future monitoring network at the Upton Plant site. The baseline
sampling program is similar to that for the Bull Hill Mine. Three deep monitor wells and three
alluvial wells were completed at the Upton Plant Site in 2012. A seventh monitoring well was
completed in the Newcastle Sandstone. RER installed three additional groundwater monitoring
wells at the Upton Plant site in 2013. Locations of the groundwater monitoring wells at the Upton
Plant site are shown on Map A-2. The initial placement of groundwater monitoring wells was
based on available geologic mapping and previous regional hydrogeological investigations.
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