7.5
HEALTH AND SAFETY
RER conducted preliminary dose assessments based on existing meteorological and air quality
data to predict radiological doses to public and to its workers. The results of these dose
assessments are provided in Appendix F.
7.6
TAILINGS CHARACTERIZATION
A sampling and analysis plan to characterize the nature of the tailings has been developed to
determine the concentration of metals, radionuclides, and anions in the tailings, acid
regeneration precipitate tailings, and the potential to leach into water. Along with tailings
characterization, recycled waste water streams will be characterized for metal, radionuclide, and
anions concentrations. The tailings characterization program would include sampling two
tailings waste streams from the pilot plant testing at Hazen Research.
7.7
INVASIVE NON-NATIVE SPECIES
Surveys for Wyoming State designated noxious weeds (Wyoming Weed and Pest Council,
2012a) and Weston County declared weeds (Wyoming Weed and Pest Council, 2012b) were
completed in conjunction with vegetation sampling within the Upton Plant site July 30 through
August 2, 2012. All designated noxious weeds and declared weeds observed during these
surveys were located and mapped by Global Positioning System (GPS).
Six Weston County declared weeds were encountered during the 2012 sampling: curlycup
gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota), fringed sagewort (Artemisia
frigida), broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), twogrooved milkvetch (Astragalus
bisulcatus), and curly dock (Rumex crispus). Curlycup gumweed was observed within all six of
the vegetation communities, mainly along roads, with some isolated populations scattered
throughout the project area. Wild licorice was observed within the Greasewood Shrubland and
Meadow Grassland vegetation communities, generally along Coyote Creek or the edge of
reservoirs throughout the project area. Fringed sagewort was observed in the Big Sagebrush
Shrubland and Greasewood Shrubland vegetation communities were scattered throughout the
project area. Broom snakeweed was observed within the Big Sagebrush Shrubland,
Greasewood Shrubland, and Mixed Shrubland vegetation communities scattered throughout the
project area. Twogrooved milkvetch was observed within the Reclaimed Grassland and Big
Sagebrush Shrubland vegetation communities, observed populations were generally isolated
and composed of one to few individuals. Curly dock was observed within the Meadow
Grassland vegetation community, generally in areas near reservoirs throughout the project area
and along Coyote Creek.
The only State of Wyoming designated noxious weeds observed was Canada thistle (Cirsium
arvense). Canada thistle was observed within the Meadow Grassland, Greasewood Shrubland,
and Big Sagebrush Shrubland vegetation communities. Infestations consisted of isolated
individuals in the Greasewood Shrubland and Big Sagebrush Shrubland, to spreading
populations along the edge of reservoirs and Coyote Creek in the Meadow Grassland.
7.8
WETLANDS
Coyote Creek is located within the project area and runs across the eastern edge of the
boundary. According to National Wetland Inventory mapping, the majority of the wetlands are
located in the north-eastern corner and eastern portion of the project area. Isolated wetlands
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