One additional monitoring well, UMW-04 has been completed in the Newcastle Sandstone.
Initially, the uppermost sand, the Newcastle Sandstone, was not a target for monitoring because
no nearby water wells are known to be completed in this unit. Water wells in the Upton
quadrangle are completed in the Dakota aquifer system. However, during completion of the first
Dakota Sandstone monitor well, a sandy interval was logged at approximately 350 feet below
ground surface. The total depth to the Dakota Sandstone well was 680 feet from measuring
point on casing. RER determined the need to provide data on this first sandy interval based on
consultation with WDEQ-LQD. The Newcastle Sandstone well (UMW-04) is adjacent to the
Dakota Sandstone well UMW-02 (see Map A-2).
Water sampling occurs on a quarterly basis at the Upton Plant site. Groundwater sampling
events are provided in Table 1 in Attachment B. Field sampling parameters and exceedances of
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are presented in Tables 2 and 3 of Attachment B,
respectively.
7.3
SURFACE WATER
The objectives of the baseline sampling plan for surface water is to: 1) characterize the
chemistry of surface water in Coyote Creek, and associated sediment; and 2) as a lower priority,
and only in so far as feasible, characterize stream flow in Coyote Creek, which is presumed to
be intermittent and related to storm events. Surface water samples were collected at the general
locations at upstream, midstream, and downstream locations on Coyote Creek. A network of
passive samplers will be installed on Coyote Creek in 2013 following consultation with WDEQ-
LQD.
The drainage locations will be surveyed following storm events for areas of sediment
accumulation. Samples of recently accumulated sediment, likely associated with the previous
runoff event, will be collected at selected locations within the drainage for analyses. The
samples will be collected at locations mutually agreed to between RER and WDEQ
geologists/hydrologists.
RER has sampled three impoundments within the proposed project boundary. All three of the
impoundments are old bentonite pits. Surface water flow sampling events are presented in
Table 4 in Attachment B. Surface water monitoring field parameters and MCL exceedances are
presented in Table 5 and Table 6 of Attachment B, respectively.
7.4
BACKGROUND RADIOLOGICAL
Background radiological measurements of soil, groundwater, surface water, vegetation, and air
were initiated at the Upton Plant site because potential sources of radionuclides will be present
in the TSF and plant process areas. The objective of the radiological monitoring program is to
establish baseline conditions including 1) concentrations of radionuclides in airborne
particulates and gases (i.e., radon-222), surface soil, surface water, and groundwater, 2)
gamma exposure rates, and 3) radon-222 flux from soil surface to assess impacts to human
health and the environment during construction, operation, and closure of the facilities.
Radionuclide vegetation sampling was conducted three times at three different locations
throughout the 2012 growing season. Sampling dates were May 29, July 18, and August 2,
2012. Vegetation sample results are included in Attachment C.
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