RE: Public land closed due to old Uranium Mines

["Jim Otton" <jkotton@usgs.gov>]

Ron, radsafers,



There are hundreds of small uranium mines in southeast Utah.  Many (most?)

of them are undergound operations with mine openings, adits, shafts, winzes,

and raises.  The Utah State folks have used SMCRA (Surface Mine Reclamation

Act) funds to close mine openings with doors and grates for three purposes:

1) lower exposure of recreationalists to radon and gamma; 2) stop people

from falling down shafts or getting hit by falling rock; and 3) protect the

bat populations that have taken up residence in these mines (including some

endangered species).



Jim Otton

  -----Original Message-----

  From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

[mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of boomologist

  Sent: Friday, August 29, 2003 11:18 PM

  To: RADSAFE

  Subject: RE: Public land closed due to old Uranium Mines





  If the radon levels are truly that dangerous in the mines/caves it would

be better security to gate the mines/caves that present a health threat from

gasses/radon. Simply closing a section of public land will not keep anyone

out. Some people will be curious about what's in the closed area.(The voice

of experience here)

  Here in Washington State the forest service is putting gates on the

opening of a few mines which truly present a danger because of the real risk

of collapse. The rest of the mines on public land are fair game, unless

there is an active mining claim.

  There are many old Uranium mines here. Some are quite radioactive inside

and some will have a radon buildup. To my knowledge there have been no

deaths attributed to radiation/radon from working in these mines.

  To deny the public access to an area because of what is deep in the ground

just sounds like another restriction imposed on the masses to protect a few

who may not use common sense and enter these mines/caves without detection.

             Ron