TITLE 40 - PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

CHAPTER I - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

SUBCHAPTER C - AIR PROGRAMS

PART 61 - NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS

subpart w - NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR RADON EMISSIONS FROM OPERATING MILL TAILINGS

61.251 - Definitions.

As used in this subpart, all terms not defined here have the meaning given them in the Clean Air Act or 40 CFR part 61, subpart A. The following terms shall have the following specific meanings: (a) Area means the vertical projection of the pile upon the earth's surface.

  (b) Continuous disposal means a method of tailings management and disposal in which tailings are dewatered by mechanical methods immediately after generation. The dried tailings are then placed in trenches or other disposal areas and immediately covered to limit emissions consistent with applicable Federal standards.

  (c) Dewatered means to remove the water from recently produced tailings by mechanical or evaporative methods such that the water content of the tailings does not exceed 30 percent by weight.

  (d) Existing impoundment means any uranium mill tailings impoundment which is licensed to accept additional tailings and is in existence as of December 15, 1989.

  (e) Operation means that an impoundment is being used for the continued placement of new tailings or is in standby status for such placement. An impoundment is in operation from the day that tailings are first placed in the impoundment until the day that final closure begins.

  (f) Phased disposal means a method of tailings management and disposal which uses lined impoundments which are filled and then immediately dried and covered to meet all applicable Federal standards.

  (g) Uranium byproduct material or tailings means the waste produced by the extraction or concentration of uranium from any ore processed primarily for its source material content. Ore bodies depleted by uranium solution extraction and which remain underground do not constitute byproduct material for the purposes of this subpart.