ONGOING CONCERNS

Rocky Flats Glows is the only source for a consolidated analysis of the reported leaks and major events from the Rocky Flats Nuclear Waste Superfund at the center of the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge. Since January 2015, the Superfund Site has had numerous leaks and reported events concerning collapses and exposures to the public. Copies of all the reports referenced are available on the Rocky Flats Stewardship Council website. 

Leaks

When looking at the levels reported, it’s important to note that a 30-day or 12-month “rolling average” is used, which will dilute any findings to fall under “acceptable levels.”

*Half life: 24,100 years.

Exposures

March 2015 Report: “… inspections became necessary after the subsidence which occurred several years ago at the location of former building 881. A deep hole emerged which was from a stairwell which had not completely collapsed when 881 was explosively demolished in 2004. Several dump-truck loads of fill dirt were required to fill the hole.”

April 2015 Report  “At the March monthly inspection of the Original Landfill, staff discovered cracking and slumping in areas on the east edge, likely related to the heavy snowfall. The new cracks were closed as required by the Monitoring &Maintenance Plan using shovels and a vibrating tamper.

“An area of subsidence approximately four feet deep and 10 feet in diameter was noted in a location corresponding to the south west corner of former Building 771.”

“During the quarter, staff also filled a crack in the soil at the former Building 771 tunnel
area.”

Drilling

Feb. 2015 Report: To install new solar paneling on a storage shed in the Superfund site, “The new supports will require 12-inch diameter holes drilled approximately 3 feet deep.” (p. 1)

OU1 ShedYes, drilling into some of the most plutonium contaminated land in the U.S.

Mar. 2015 Report:  In order to address ongoing cracking and slumping of the containment cap  on the Orginal Land Fill (OLF),  “… it would be appropriate to start excavating to depths greater than 3 feet deep to locate and intercept the groundwater and subsurface drain as soon as practicable and not wait 10 days after posting of a contact record. The area is currently saturated. A third-party geotechnical engineer with extensive knowledge of the OLF is currently evaluating where and how deep to dig.” (p. 2)

If you are wondering why you should be concerned about all this drilling- visit the next page on Cleanup.

Is there really such a thing as the safe side of the fence? Does a low 4 foot wire fence stop the contaminates from traveling beyond? And some of the contaminants out there have a half life of over 24,000 years, where do they go?