The uranium mill tailings remedial actions project

The ''Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978,'' Public Law 95-604, directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to undertake remedial actions at designated inactive uranium mill sites and associated vicinity properties. The purpose of the remedial actions is to stabilize and control the uranium mill tailings currently stored at the sites in a safe and environmentally sound manner in order to minimize radiation health hazards to the public. These remedial actions are to be undertaken by the DOE in cooperation with the affected states and Indian tribes and performed in accordance with standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The disposal sites, which could be the processing sites, will be acquired by the states with title passing to the DOE and will be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The DOE's authorization to conduct the program terminates seven (7) years following the promulgation of the EPA standards (January 1983). The current cost estimate for the project in 1982 dollars is $540 million, however, it is expected that this estimate will be somewhat reduced following completion of a review now in progress