Weldon Spring Site:Past, Present, and Future

Patrick Anderson, Environmental EngineerMissouri Department of Natural Resources

Hazardous Waste ProgramFederal Facilities Section

November 18, 2010

2010 Long-Term Surveillance and Monitoring ConferenceGrand Junction, Colorado

Site Map

Site Map

Brief History of the Weldon Spring Site

• 1940-1941 – U.S. Army acquires 17,000+ acres in St. Charles County, Missouri

• 1941-1945 – Explosives produced at the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works

• 1956 – 217 acres transferred to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC); Quarry transferred in 1958

• 1956-1967 – Weldon Spring Uranium Feed Materials Plant processed uranium ore concentrates

Weldon Spring Uranium Feed Materials Plant (a.k.a. Chemical Plant) 1956-1967

• 1968-1985 – Chemical Plant returned to the Army for defoliant production. Weldon Spring Site held in caretaker status.

• 1985 – Chemical Plant transferred to DOE

• 1987 – 30 July - Quarry placed on NPL list

• 1989 – 30 March - Chemical Plant placed on NPL List

Brief History of the Weldon Spring Site

Weldon Spring Quarry

Condition of Site Prior to Cleanup

Condition of Site Prior to Cleanup

Condition of Site Prior to Cleanup

Condition of Site Prior to Cleanup

Public Reaction

Cleanup and Final Disposition

Cleanup and Final Disposition

Cleanup and Final Disposition

Cleanup and Final Disposition

Cleanup and Final Disposition

Present Conditions

• Monitored Natural Attenuation

• Institutional Controls

• Long-Term Surveillance and Monitoring Plan

• Annual Inspections

• Interpretive Center

– Hike and Bike Trails

– Prairie

– Outreach

Present Conditions

• Unresolved Issues

• The State does not agree with some of DOE's statements about the site

• Federal Facilities Agreement between DOE, EPA, and MDNR

Future• Continuation of Liability and Due Diligence

• Interpretive Center and Outreach

– Training and Teaching the Next Generations

– Hosting Events

• Maintain a Site Presence

– Institutional Knowledge (People forget)

• Is the Groundwater Safe?

• Is the Fish and Game Safe to Eat?

• Development Pressure

– Encroachment

– Right Price, Meet Budget Shortfalls

Thank You