The Wise Report

The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
July 19, 2008
 
The TCEQ has posted their proposed agenda for their August 6, 2008 meeting.  Of isterest is their item #78, Docket No. 2008-0863-RUL. They will be considering publication of, and hearing on, proposed amendments to 30 TAC Chapter 336, Radioactive Substance Rules, Sections 336.1, 336.101, 336.103, 336.105, 336.107, 336.1105, 336.1109, 336.1113, 336.1125, and 336.1235; proposed new Sections 336.114, 336.208, 336.210, 336.1301, 336.1303, 336.1305, 336.1307, 336.1309, 336.1311, 336.1313, 336.1315, and 336.1317. The TCEQ also proposes amendments to 30 TAC Chapter 37, Financial Assurance, Sections 37.9001, 37.9030, 37.9035, 37.9040, 37.9045, and 37.9050; 30 TAC Chapter 39, Public Notice, Sections 39.403, 39.651, 39.653, 39.702, 39.703, and 39.707; new Section 39.655; amendment to 30 TAC Chapter 55, Request for Reconsideration or Contested Case Hearings; Public Comment, Section 55.201; amendments to 30 TAC Chapter 305, Consolidated Permits, Sections 305.49, 305.62, and 305.127; amendments to 30 TAC Chapter 331, Underground Injection Control, Sections 331.2, 331.7, 331.13, 331.45, 331.46, 331.82, 331.84 - 331.86, 331.103 - 331.107, and 331.143; and new Sections 331.87, 331.108, 331.109, 331.220 - 331.225. The rulemaking would implement Senate Bill (SB) 1604, 80th Legislature, 2007, Regular Session, House Bill 3838, 80th Legislature, 2007, Regular Session, and House Bill 1567, 78th Legislature, 2003, relating to radioactive material licensing, including uranium mining. SB 1604 also addresses the TCEQ's underground injection control program for regulation of in situ uranium mining and requires the TCEQ to establish and administer a new state fee for the disposal of radioactive wastes other than low-level radioactive waste. In addition, the rulemaking would establish the remaining technical requirements, application processing requirements, public notice requirements, licensing and application fees, low-level radioactive waste disposal fees, and financial assurance requirements for radioactive material licensing, including those programs transferred from the Department of State Health Services to the TCEQ. (Susan Jablonski, Don Redmond, Amie Richardson) (Rule Project No. 2007-029-336-PR).  For more information go to:  http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/rules/pendprop.html#07029
 
These proposed amendments will be designed, among other things, require better financial assurance for cleanup of production areas, to provide better communication between the mining company and the general public, and additional requirements for production areas, baseline studies, monitoring parameters, and restoration.
 
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
7/19/2008