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TITLE 30ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 336RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE RULES
SUBCHAPTER LLICENSING OF SOURCE MATERIAL RECOVERY AND BY-PRODUCT MATERIAL DISPOSAL FACILITIES
RULE §336.1105Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

  (1) Aquifer--A geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation capable of yielding a significant amount of groundwater to wells or springs. Any saturated zone created by uranium or thorium recovery operations would not be considered an aquifer unless the zone is or potentially is:

    (A) hydraulically interconnected to a natural aquifer;

    (B) capable of discharge to surface water; or

    (C) reasonably accessible because of migration beyond the vertical projection of the boundary of the land transferred for long-term government ownership and care in accordance with §336.1131 of this title (relating to Land Ownership of By-Product Material Disposal Sites).

  (2) As expeditiously as practicable considering technological feasibility--As quickly as possible considering the physical characteristics of the by-product material and the site, the limits of "available technology" (as defined in this section), the need for consistency with mandatory requirements of other regulatory programs, and "factors beyond the control of the licensee" (as defined in this section). The phrase permits consideration of the cost of compliance only to the extent specifically provided for by use of the term "Available technology."

  (3) Available technology--Technologies and methods for emplacing a final radon barrier on by-product material piles or impoundments. This term must not be construed to include extraordinary measures or techniques that would impose costs that are grossly excessive as measured by practice within the industry (or one that is reasonably analogous), (for example, by way of illustration only, unreasonable overtime, staffing, or transportation requirements, etc., considering normal practice in the industry; laser fusion of soils; etc.), provided there is reasonable progress toward emplacement of the final radon barrier. To determine grossly excessive costs, the relevant baseline against which costs must be compared is the cost estimate for tailings impoundment closure contained in the licensee's approved reclamation plan, but costs beyond these estimates shall not automatically be considered grossly excessive.

  (4) By-product material--Tailings or wastes produced by or resulting from the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium from any ore processed primarily for its source material content, including discrete surface wastes resulting from uranium solution extraction processes. Underground ore bodies depleted by such solution extraction operations do not constitute "by-product material" within this definition.

  (5) By-product material disposal cell--A man-made excavation and/or construction designed, sited, and built in accordance with the requirements of §336.1129 of this title (relating to Technical Requirements) for the purpose of disposal of by-product material.

  (6) By-product material pond--A man-made excavation designed, constructed, and sited in accordance with the requirements of §336.1129 of this title (relating to Technical Requirements).

  (7) Capable fault--As used in this section, "Capable fault" has the same meaning as defined in Section III(g) of Appendix A of Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 100.

  (8) Closure--The post-operational activities to decontaminate and decommission the buildings and site used to produce by-product materials and/or reclaim the tailings or disposal area, including groundwater restoration, if needed.

  (9) Closure plan--The plan approved by the agency to accomplish closure. The closure plan consists of a decommissioning plan and may also include a reclamation plan.

  (10) Commencement of construction--Initiating activity defined as "construction" or any other activity at the site of a facility subject to regulations in this subchapter that has a reasonable nexus to radiological health and safety.

  (11) Compliance period--The period of time that begins when the agency sets secondary groundwater protection standards and ends when the owner or operator's license is terminated and the site is transferred to the state or federal government for long-term care, if applicable.

  (12) Construction--The installation of wells associated with radiological operations (e.g., production, injection, or monitoring well networks associated with in-situ recovery or other facilities), the installation of foundations, or in place assembly, erection, fabrication, or testing for any structure, system, or component of a facility or activity subject to the regulations in this part that are related to radiological safety or security. The term "construction" does not include:

    (A) changes for the temporary use of the land for public recreational purposes;

    (B) site exploration, including necessary borings to determine foundation conditions or other preconstruction monitoring to establish background information related to the suitability of a site, the environmental impacts of construction or operation, or the protection of environmental values;

    (C) preparation of the site for construction of the facility, including clearing of the site, grading, installation of drainage, erosion and other environmental mitigation measures, and construction of temporary roads and borrow areas;

    (D) erection of fences and other access control measures that are not related to the safe use of, or security of, radiological materials subject to this part;

    (E) excavation;

    (F) erection of support buildings (e.g., construction equipment storage sheds, warehouse and shop facilities, utilities, concrete mixing plants, docking and unloading facilities, and office buildings) for use in connection with the construction of the facility;

    (G) building of service facilities (e.g., paved roads, parking lots, railroad spurs, exterior utility and lighting systems, potable water systems, sanitary sewerage treatment facilities, and transmission lines);

    (H) procurement or fabrication of components or portions of the proposed facility occurring at other than the final, in-place location at the facility; or

    (I) initiating activity that has no reasonable nexus to radiological health and safety.

  (13) Decommissioning plan--The plan approved by the agency to accomplish decommissioning. Decommission is defined in §336.2(29) of this title (relating to Definitions).

  (14) Dike--An embankment or ridge of either natural or man-made materials used to prevent the movement of liquids, sludges, solids, or other materials.

  (15) Disposal area--The area containing by-product materials to which the requirements of §336.1129(p) - (aa) of this title (relating to Technical Requirements) apply.

  (16) Existing portion--As used in §336.1129(i)(1) of this title (relating to Technical Requirements), "existing portion" is that land surface area of an existing surface impoundment on which significant quantities of uranium or thorium by-product materials had been placed prior to September 30, 1983.

  (17) Factors beyond the control of the licensee--Factors proximately causing delay in meeting the schedule in the applicable reclamation plan for the timely emplacement of the final radon barrier notwithstanding the good faith efforts of the licensee to complete the barrier in compliance with §336.1129(x) of this title (relating to Technical Requirements). These factors may include, but are not limited to:

    (A) physical conditions at the site;

    (B) inclement weather or climatic conditions;

    (C) an act of God;

    (D) an act of war;

    (E) a judicial or administrative order or decision, or change to the statutory, regulatory, or other legal requirements applicable to the licensee's facility that would preclude or delay the performance of activities required for compliance;

    (F) labor disturbances;

    (G) any modifications, cessation or delay ordered by state, federal, or local agencies;

    (H) delays beyond the time reasonably required in obtaining necessary government permits, licenses, approvals, or consent for activities described in the reclamation plan proposed by the licensee that result from government agency failure to take final action after the licensee has made a good faith, timely effort to submit legally sufficient applications, responses to requests (including relevant data requested by the agencies), or other information, including approval of the reclamation plan; and

Cont'd...

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