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3.9 Wild Horses 

In accordance with the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971, the 

Wyoming BLM is required to protect, manage, and control wild free-roaming 

horses and burros on public lands. The Wyoming BLM manages 16 Herd 

Management Areas (HMAs) throughout the state for wild horses; there are no 

wild burros in the state (BLM, 2009c). 

Even though they are considered part of the natural system, without constant 

management the wild horse population would experience periods of 

overpopulation, lack of food, and eventually starvation until a sustainable level 

was restored. In an effort to manage the horse population, the BLM has 

delineated HMAs, which are geographic regions where wild horses tend to 

congregate, graze and reproduce. For each HMA, the BLM has established an 

appropriate management level (AML), which is designed to ensure the ecological 

balance among all the users and resources of the HMA, such as wildlife, 

livestock, vegetation, water and soil and the wild horse population (BLM, 2009d). 

When wild horse numbers within an HMA exceed the AML, the BLM gathers the 

excess wild horses to prevent damage to the rangeland from wild horses and 

reduce the possibility of vegetation and water scarcity. Excess animals are 

offered to qualified people through the Adopt a Wild Horse or Burro Program 

Of the 16 state-wide HMAs, two overlap the Permit Area: the Stewart Creek 

HMA and the Lost Creek HMA, but less than one percent of the two HMAs 

(1,969 acres of the Lost Creek HMA and 1,119 acres of the Stewart Creek HMA) 

are within the Permit Area (Figure 3.9-1). The AML for the Stewart Creek Herd 

is 125 to 175 horses. The present population has been influenced by the routine 

escape of domestic saddle stock from the surrounding populated areas. A 

noticeable number of tobiano paints are present in this herd. The horses range 

from 14 to 15 hands tall and 800 to 1,000 pounds mature weight (BLM, 2011k). 

The Lost Creek Herd has an AML of 60 to 82 horses. The Lost Creek Herd has 

also been influenced by the escape of domestic saddle stock from the surrounding 

populated areas, but is somewhat identified with the Spanish Mustang Breed. 

Recent genetic testing suggests that this herd has a mixed ancestry that primarily 

is North American with the possibility of some, although limited, Iberian 

ancestry. These horses measure 14 to 15 hands tall and have a mature weight of 

800 to 1,000 pounds. (BLM, 2011k). 

Though the Green Mountain HMA does not intersect the Permit Area, the Green 

Mountain Wild Horse Herd was also considered. The Green Mountain HMA is 

located approximately 13 miles northeast of the Permit Area. Although these 

horses interchange with the Stewart Creek Herd, those interchanges occur near 

Stewart Creek which is located, at the nearest proximity, more than 10 miles east 

of the Permit Area. It is rare that Green Mountain Wild Horses venture down to 

the project vicinity. Therefore, the Green Mountain Wild Horse Unit would not 

likely be affected by the Project. (Personal correspondence with Roy Packer, 

Range Specialist of the BLM Lander Field Office, November, 2011.) 

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3.10 Meteorology, Climatology and Air Quality 

This section describes the meteorology, climatology, and air quality of the Project 

region. Both regional (long-term) and site-specific data (available periods of 

measurement [at least one year]) are discussed to describe climatological 

conditions at the Permit Area. Where site-specific data are not available, data 

from the closest representative location are presented. 

The Project is located in the Basin, in south-central Wyoming. The Permit Area 

is located in the intermountain semi-desert ecoregion (Wyoming State Climate 

Office, 2005), which has cold winters and short, hot summers (Bailey, 1995). The 

average annual temperatures range from 40 to 52 °F in this ecoregion. The 

average annual precipitation ranges from five to 14 inches (Bailey, 1995). The 

nearest water bodies of any size are Pathfinder and Seminoe Reservoirs, shown on 

Figure 3.10-1, which are on the order of 50 miles downwind of the Permit Area 

and on the other side of the Continental Divide. It is unlikely these water bodies 

have any impact on meteorological measurements at the Permit Area. All other 

water bodies shown on Figure 3.10-1 are seasonal, at best, and unlikely to have 

any impact on meteorological measurements. 

3.10.1 Meteorology and Climatology 

Meteorological stations within 50 miles of the Permit Area are shown in Figure 

3.10-1. The National Weather Service (NWS) meteorological station closest to 

the Permit Area with a long period of record is Muddy Gap, Wyoming (High 

Plains Regional Climate Center [HPRCC], 2007). This station is 28 miles 

northeast of the Permit Area; and temperature, precipitation, snowfall and snow 

depth data have been collected since 1949. The Muddy Gap station is in the same 

Climate Division as the Permit Area, Climate Division 10 (CLIMAS, 2005), 

which means that these locations have similar climatic characteristics. Camp 

Creek is at a higher elevation in somewhat more rugged terrain (Western Regional 

Climate Center [WRCC] Remote Automated Weather Stations [RAWS], 2010), 

and is not representative of conditions at the Permit Area. 

The Lost Soldier (LS) meteorological station was installed at a location near 

Bairoil in April 2006. The LS meteorological station is about 12 miles northeast 

from the Permit Area (Figure 3.10-1). After deciding to permit the Project, the 

Lost Creek (LC) meteorological station was installed within the Permit Area in 

May 2007 to collect on-site data (Figure 3.10-1).

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Meteorological instrumentation at the LC station consists of the following sensors 

mounted on a ten-meter tower (Figure 3.10-2):

x Vaisala Temperature and Relative Humidity Probe: temperature range of 

-40 to 140 °F; accurate to ±2 percent at 10 to 90 percent relative humidity 

and to ±3 percent at greater than 90 percent humidity; shielded by RM 

Young 10-Plate Gill Solar Radiation Shield and mounted at 6.6 feet (two 

meters). 

x Dual Met One Model 062 Temperature Probes: used for measurement of 

differential temperature (ΔT) for dispersion and inversion modeling; 

temperature range of -58 to 122°F; sensors accurate to ±0.09°F; sensors 

co-calibrated for a maximum error per degree of differential temperature 

of 0.05°F; shielded by Met One Model 077 Aspirated Shields and 

mounted at 6.6 feet (two meters) and 32.8 feet (ten meters). 

x Met One 3-Cup Anemometer and Wind Vane: range of 0 to 110 miles per 

hour (mph); anemometer accurate to ±0.25 mph when less than 22.6 mph 

or ±1.1 percent of true when greater than 22.6 mph; vane accurate to ±4 

degrees; mounted at 32.8 feet (ten meters). 

x Texas Electronics Tipping Bucket Rain Gage with 8-inch Orifice: accurate 

to ±1 percent at rainfall rates up to one inch per hour; resolution of 0.01 

inches; mounted on freestanding post approximately 3.3 feet (one meter) 

high, and 16.4 feet (five meters) from the base of the tower. 

x LI-COR Silicon Pyranometer: measures incoming radiation with 

wavelengths in the daylight spectrum; measures wavelengths between 400 

and 1,100 nanometers; accurate to within 3 to 5 percent; mounted at 32.8 

feet (ten meters). 

The sensors were connected to a CR1000 data logger. The data recovery rate is 

greater than 90 percent. 

3.10.1.1 Temperature 

Average monthly high and low temperatures from LC and four of the closest 

stations (LS, Muddy Gap, Jeffrey City, and Rawlins), including data available 

after October 2007, are shown in Table 3.10-1. The LC data are generally within 

the range of the other stations, with the exception that temperatures in the winter 

months appear to be somewhat lower. However, that is probably due to the short 

record for LC (in some cases, just one month), as compared to the other stations. 

Based on the Muddy Gap data (which has the longest record), July is the warmest 

month, the average maximum daily temperatures are approximately 85°F, and the 

average minimum daily temperatures are approximately 55°F. January is the 

coldest month; the average daily maximum temperatures are 30 to 35°F; and the 

average minimum daily temperatures are approximately 10 to 15°F. The 

maximum temperature on record is 100°F in July, while the minimum 

temperature on record is -40°F in December. 

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Figure 3.10-2 Lost Creek Meteorological Station, May 2007 

Picture shortly after installation; area around station is now fenced. 

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July 2012 
Table 3.10-1 Temperature Data, Degrees Fahrenheit 

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3.10.1.2 Precipitation 

The Permit Area is drier than many areas in the State of Wyoming. The mean 

annual precipitation at the Muddy Gap station from 1949 through 2005 was 10.0 

inches. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, but the mean monthly 

precipitation exceeds one inch only in April, May, and June. May is the wettest 

month, with 1.9 inches of mean precipitation. Actual annual moisture may be 

somewhat higher, since precipitation gauges capture only a small proportion of 

snowfall under windy conditions. 

Average monthly precipitation data from LC and four of the closest stations (LS, 

Muddy Gap, Jeffrey City, and Rawlins) are shown in Figure 3.10-3. The LC data 

are within the range of the other stations, taking into account the variability in 

precipitation amounts due to local thunderstorms and the recent regionally low 

precipitation. Regional data showed the area recently received 50 to 70 percent 

less rainfall than average (HPRCC, 2007). 

Figure 3.10-3 Total Monthly Precipitation 

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July 2012 
Table 3.10-2 Humidity (Percent) at the LC Meteorological Station 

Average Monthly Average Daily Maximum Record Maximum and Minimum and Minimum 

Month Year Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum 

January 2009 99.7 17.5 91.9 52.8 

February 2009 99.0 20.6 93.8 50.4 

March 2008, 2009 97.8 20.7 89.4 42.3 

April 2008, 2009 99.1 10.3 88.6 34.4 

May 2008, 2009 97.8 20.7 89.6 42.7 

June 2008, 2009 97.5 6.5 80.1 23.0 

2007, 2008, July 97.3 5.9 69.2 15.1 2009

2007, 2008, August 96.8 7.3 72.3 16.7 2009

September 2007, 2008 99.4 8.8 80.6 23.7 

October 2007, 2008 97.8 20.7 89.1 41.9 

November 2007, 2008 97.9 20.7 89.6 43.1 

December 2008 98.4 30.8 94.8 55.3 

Table 3.10-3 Monthly Estimated Pan Evaporation (Inches) at 

Seminoe Dam, 1948 to 2005

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year 

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.24 8.27 8.99 8.12 5.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 36.21

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3.10.1.3 Humidity and Evaporation 

The average relative humidity at the Permit Area is low in the summer, with the 

lowest average occurring in June (30.2 percent). The relative humidity is elevated 

during the winter, when the highest average occurred in February (75.6 percent). 

The monthly and daily maximum and minimum humidity measured at the LS 

meteorological station is provided in Table 3.10-2. Information on total 

evaporation by month from Seminoe Dam (the nearest available measurement 

location) is included in Table 3.10-3 (WRCC, 2010). 

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3.10.1.4 Wind, Mixing, and Stability 

The mean wind speed measured at the LC station during 2007 through 2009 was 

about 11 mph (9.47 knots), and the predominant wind direction was from the 

west-southwest. The data are summarized in a wind rose on Figure 3.10-4.

Atmospheric stability was categorized into six classes according to Pasquill, 

ranging from A (very unstable) to F (stable) (Pasquill, 1961). Calculations were 

made using wind speed and solar radiation data collected at the Permit Area. The 

stability class distribution at the LC station is shown in Figure 3.10-5. The data 

show that the Stability Class is usually Class D (neutral), with Class F (stable)

occurring only about one percent of the time, making atmospheric inversion 

conditions unlikely. Data collected for Lander/Riverton, Wyoming indicated that 

the average annual mixing height is 1,142 feet in the morning and 7,546 feet in 

the afternoon. These can also be considered the inversion heights (Holzworth, 

1972). 

3.10.1.5 Comparison of Local and Regional Data 

All available temperature, precipitation, and data from the Lost Creek 

meteorological station, since the beginning of its operation in 2007 through 2009, 

were compared to paired data from the Rawlins meteorological station in order to 

examine the similarities and differences of the data from the two stations. In 

addition, to examine the representativeness of the meteorological data obtained 

from 2007 to 2009 (short-term), the historical (long-term) data obtained from the 

Rawlins station were also examined for comparison. The data and statistical 

comparisons are described in detail in Attachment 2.5-1 of the NRC Technical 

Report (NRC, 2011a) and summarized below. 

Temperature 

Average daily temperatures for LC and Rawlins (short-term and long-term) are 

presented in Figure 3.10-6. In comparing the average daily temperatures for each 

month from 2007 to 2009 at LC and Rawlins, Rawlins was slightly warmer than 

LC on average during this time period. However, average daily temperatures at 

LC and Rawlins are in the same range, i.e., within the 95 percent confidence 

intervals for the two data sets to overlap. Variations in daily temperatures during 

all months are very similar. 

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July 2012 
Figure 3.10-4 Wind Speed and Direction at the LC Meteorological 

Station

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July 2012 
Figure 3.10-6 Comparison of Average Daily Temperatures 

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Figure 3.10-5 Stability Class Distribution at the LC Meteorological 

Station 

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

ABCDEF

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Precipitation 

Average total monthly precipitation was compared for available complete 

monthly data for LC (07/07 to 11/07 and 3/08 to 11/09), matched data from 

Rawlins, and long-term data (1951 to 2008) from Rawlins. The average monthly 

precipitation totals are presented in Table 3.10-4. Total monthly precipitation 

amounts over the short-term and long-term are relatively variable. Taking into 

account this inherent variation, which is likely due in part to local thunderstorm 

occurrences, the LC precipitation averages are generally within the same range, as 

indicated by the overlap of the 95 percent confidence intervals, as the paired 

Rawlins data. 

Table 3.10-4 Comparison of Average Total Monthly Precipitation 

(Inches) 

Station: Lost Creek Rawlins Short-Term Rawlins Long-Term 

Period of 

record: 

07/2007-11/2007; 

3/2008-11/2009 

07/2007-11/2007; 

3/2008-11/2009 1951-2008 

Statistic: 

Avg. 

Monthly 

Precip. 

95% CI 

Avg. 

Monthly 

Precip. 

95% CI 

Avg. 

Monthly 

Precip. 

95% CI 

January 0.16 NA 0.73 NA 0.45 0.36-0.55

February 0.18 NA 0.10 NA 0.50 0.40-0.60

March 0.09 0.07-0.11 0.12 0.04-0.19 0.69 0.59-0.80

April 1.00 0-2.79 1.26 0-2.67 1.01 0.85-1.17

May 1.10 0.83-1.37 1.53 1.31-1.75 1.30 1.07-1.52

June 1.30 0-3.66 1.23 0-2.72 0.90 0.72-1.07

July 0.79 0.07-1.51 1.00 0.64-1.35 0.77 0.62-0.92

August 0.82 0.43-1.21 0.57 0.43-0.71 0.76 0.62-0.90

September 0.92 0.24-1.60 1.05 0.30-1.80 0.84 0.67-1.01

October 0.87 0.16-1.58 0.91 0.54-1.28 0.81 0.64-0.98

November 0.12 0-0.25 0.28 0.12-0.44 0.55 0.44-0.66

December 0.08 NA 0.00 NA 0.46 0.38-0.55

NA= Not Applicable, only one year of data available 

Wind 

Means and standard deviations of scalar wind speed and directions from LC 

(short-term) and Rawlins (both short-term and long-term) are summarized in 

Table 3.10-5. As is apparent from the results shown in Table 3.10-5, the mean 

wind speed at the LC station (9.47 knots) was found to be well-matched to the 

mean wind speed from the paired data at the Rawlins station (9.79 knots). Data 

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July 2012 
Table 3.10-5 Comparison of Wind Speed and Direction 

Meteorological 

Station 

Period of 

Record 

Mean 

Scalar 

Wind 

Speed 

(knots) 

STDV 

Scalar 

Wind 

Speed 

Mean 

Scalar 

Wind 

Direction 

(degrees) 

STDV 

Scalar 

Wind 

Direction 

Lost Creek 

6/14/2007

11/30/2007; 

2/23/2008

8/31/2009 

9.47 5.90 245 83.9

Rawlins 

(short-term) 

6/14/2007

11/30/2007; 

2/23/2008

8/31/2009 

9.79 7.30 267 66.4

Rawlins 

(long-term) 

1/01/1973

6/13/2007 11.1 6.81 244 61.0

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from both stations indicate that the mean wind direction is from the westsouthwest. 

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3.10.1.6 Violent Weather 

Tornadoes are more prevalent in eastern Wyoming than in western Wyoming, 

because mountain ranges in western Wyoming are barriers to the flow of warm, 

moist air that causes tornadoes. In Sweetwater County, 19 tornados were reported 

in a 55-year period, none of which caused an injury or death. An individual 

tornado would affect only a portion of the County; therefore, chances are small 

that the Permit Area would experience a tornado. The Fujita Scale is used to rate 

the intensity of a tornado by examining the damage caused to man-made 

structures (The Tornado Project, 2003). The most destructive tornado recorded in 

Sweetwater County from 1950 to 2004 was an F-1 “moderate” tornado, which 

would be unlikely to cause extensive damage to the Project. 

The Permit Area is located in an area that has statistically shown a lower density 

of lightning strikes. The probability of hail is also low, with six occurrences 

recorded in a 24-year period (Curtis and Grimes, 2007). 

Although severe winter storms are generally less violent than summer storms, the 

relative duration of the winter storms (a day or more) compared to summer storms 

(generally a few hours) and the combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and 

low temperatures require that all Wyoming residents be aware of and prepared for 

the possibility. A history of blizzards in Wyoming is provided in Chapter 19 of 

the State of Wyoming Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (Wyoming Office of 

Homeland Security, 2008). 

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3.10.1.7 Climate Change 

The Permit Area is considered part of the Great Plains in the study of climate 

change by the US Global Change Research Program (GCRP), a Federal Advisory 

Committee (GCRP, 2009). In the period from 1993 to 2008, the average 

temperature in the Great Plains increased by approximately 1.5°F from the 1961 

to 1979 baseline. The projected change in temperature from 2000 to 2020, 

including the Project’s timeframe, ranges from a decrease of approximately 0.5°F 

to an increase of approximately 2°F. GCRP also projected a change in spring 

precipitation from the baseline period (1961 to 1979) to the next century (2080 to 

2099). For the region of Wyoming where the Project is proposed, GCRP 

forecasted a 10 to 15 percent increase in spring precipitation over the next 

century. 

3.10.2 Air Quality - Non-Radiological Parameters 

The overall air quality in the Project region is good. The area is sparsely 

populated and is not heavily developed with industrial sources of air pollution. 

Air quality for radiological parameters is discussed in Section 3.15.

3.10.2.1 Air Quality Standards 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) exist for sulfur dioxide (SO2),

nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), lead, and particulate 

matter small enough to move easily into the lower respiratory tract (particles less 

than ten micrometers in aerodynamic diameter, designated Particulate Matter 

[PM10]). The NAAQS are expressed as pollutant concentrations that are not to be 

exceeded in the ambient air, that is, in the outdoor air to which the general public 

has access (40 CFR Part 50.1(e)). Primary NAAQS are designated to protect 

human health; secondary NAAQS are designated to protect human welfare by 

safeguarding environmental resources (such as soil, water, vegetation, and 

wildlife) and manufactured materials. Primary and secondary NAAQS are 

presented in Table 3.10-6. The closest monitoring station to the Permit Area is in 

Rawlins, and shows that regional air quality is in compliance with the NAAQS 

and Wyoming Ambient Air Quality Standards (WAAQS) (BLM, 2008a). 

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Table 3.10-6 Primary and Secondary Limits for NAAQS and the

State of Wyoming

Pollutant 

National State of Wyoming 

Primary 

Standards 

Averaging 

Times 

Secondary 

Standards 

Primary 

Standards 

Averaging 

Times 

Secondary 

Standards 

Carbon 

Monoxide 

9 ppm 

(10 mg/m3

) 8-hour 1 None 9 ppm 

(10 mg/m3

) 8-hour 1 None 

35 ppm 

(40 mg/m3

) 1-hour 1 None 35 ppm 

(40 mg/m3

) 1-hour 1 None 

Lead 0.15 μg/m3

Rolling 3

month 

Average 

Same as 

Primary 1.5 μg/m3 Quarterly Average 

Same as 

Primary 

Nitrogen 

Dioxide 

0.053 ppm 

(100 μg/m3

)

Annual 

(Arithmetic 

Mean) 

Same as 

Primary 

0.05 ppm 

(100 μg/m3

)

Annual 

(Arithmetic 

Mean) 

Same as 

Primary 

0.100 ppm 1-hour2

Particulate 

Matter 

(PM10)

Revoked 2

Annual 3

(Arithmetic 

Mean) 

-- 50 μg/m3

Annual 3

(Arithmeti 

c Mean) 

--

150 μg/m3 24-hour 4 -- 150 μg/m3 24-hour 4 --

Particulate 

Matter 

(PM2.5)

15.0 μg/m3

Annual 5

(Arithmetic 

Mean) 

Same as 

Primary 15.0 μg/m3

Annual 5

(Arithmetic 

Mean) 

Same as 

Primary 

35 μg/m3 24-hour 6 -- 35 μg/m3 24-hour 6 --

Ozone 0.075 ppm 8-hour 7 Same as 

Primary 0.08 ppm 8-hour 7 Same as Primary 

Sulfur 

Oxides 

0.02 ppm 

(60 μg/m3

)

Annual 

(Arithmetic 

Mean) 

--

0.14 ppm 24-hour 1 -- 0.10 ppm 

(260μg/m3

) 24-hour 1 --

-- 3-hour 1 0.50 ppm 

(1300μg/m3

)

0.50 ppm 

(1300μg/m3

) 3-hour 1 --

0.075 ppm 1-hour8 --

* EPA, 2012

μg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter; mg/m3 = milligrams per cubic meter; ppm = parts per million 1 Not to be exceeded more than once per year. 

2 98th percentile, averaged over 3 years 3 Due to a lack of evidence linking health problems to long-term exposure to coarse particle pollution, the agency 

revoked the annual PM10 standard in 2006 (effective December 17, 2006). 4 Not to be exceeded more than once per year on average over three years. 5 In this standard, the three-year average of the weighted annual mean PM2.5 concentrations from single or multiple 

community-oriented monitors must not exceed 15.0 μg/m3. 6 To attain this standard, the three-year average of the 98th percentile of 24-hour concentrations at each populationoriented monitor within an area must not exceed 35 μg/m3 (effective December 17, 2006). 7 To attain this standard, the three-year average of the fourth-highest daily maximum eight-hour average ozone 

concentrations measured at each monitor within an area over each year must not exceed 0.08 ppm. 8 99th percentile of 1-hour daily maximum concentrations, averaged over 3 years 

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In addition to ambient air quality standards, which represent an upper bound on 

allowable pollutant concentrations, there are national standards for the Prevention 

of Significant Deterioration (PSD) of air quality (40 CFR Part 51.166). The PSD 

standards differ from the NAAQS in that the NAAQS provide maximum 

allowable concentrations of pollutants, while PSD requirements provide 

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July 2012 
Table 3.10-7 Allowable Increments for Prevention of Significant

Deterioration of Air Quality

Pollutant Averaging Time 

PSD Increment 

Class I Class II 

μg/m3 ppm ppb μg/m3 ppm ppb

NO2 Annual 2.5 0.0013 1.3 25 0.013 13

PM10

24-hour 8 30

Annual 4 17

SO2

3-hour 25 0.0096 9.6 512 0.1956 196

24-hour 5 0.0019 1.9 91 0.0348 35

Annual 2 0.0008 0.8 20 0.0076 8

ppb= parts per billion 

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maximum allowable increases in concentrations of pollutants for areas already in 

compliance with the NAAQS. PSD standards are, therefore, expressed as 

allowable increments in the atmospheric concentrations of specific pollutants. 

Allowable PSD increments currently exist for three pollutants: NO2, SO2, and 

PM10. Increments are particularly relevant when a major proposed action 

(involving either a new source or a major modification to an existing source) may 

degrade air quality without exceeding the NAAQS, as would be the case, for 

example, in an area where the ambient air is very clean. One set of allowable 

increments exists for Class II areas, which cover most of the US. A much more 

stringent set of allowable increments exists for Class I areas, which are 

specifically designated areas where the degradation of ambient air quality is 

severely restricted. Class I areas include certain national parks and monuments, 

wilderness areas, and other areas as described in 40 CFR Part 51.166(e) and 40 

CFR Part 81:400-437. Maximum allowable PSD increments for Class I and Class 

II areas are given in Table 3.10-7. The nearest PSD Class I areas, Bridger 

Wilderness, Fitzpatrick Wilderness, and Mt Zirkel (WDEQ, 2011b), are located 

about 60, 100, and 90 miles, respectively, to the northwest and south (Mt. Zirkel) 

of the Lost Creek site. The Popo Agie Wilderness area is the closest Sensitive 

Class II area and is located about 58 miles to the northwest of the Lost Creek site 

(NRC, 2011a). 

3.10.2.2 Air Particulate Sampling 

Air particulate matter in the Permit Area was sampled using two Mini Volumetric 

(MiniVol) samplers with ten micron (PM10) filters (Figure 3.10-7). Dust trapped 

by these filters is the size considered most detrimental to human health. Two 

samplers were used as a pair, with samples collected concurrently, upwind and 

downwind of the Permit Area, at three locations: northern (LCAIR9&10); central 

(LCAIR13&14); and southern (LCAIR11&12). The sampling duration was 

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approximately 24 hours; the results were time-adjusted for a 24-hour period. 

Figure 3.10-8 shows the sampling locations, and the results are presented in 

Table 3.10-8.

Figure 3.10-7 MiniVol Air Particulate Sampler, February 2007 

White instrument on left, red instrument on right is passive gamma sampler (Section 3.15).

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Table 3.10-8 PM10 Concentrations 

Location Wind Concentration (μg/m3

)

(Figure 3.10-4) Date Speed

(mph) Upwind 

Sample 

Downwind 

Sample 

Northern 6/24/2006 10.1 LCAIR10 9.3 LCAIR9 5.4

Central 6/26/2006 10.3 LCAIR13 10.5 LCAIR14 9.1

Southern 6/25/2006 n/a LCAIR11 8.0 LCAIR12 8.9

Central 2/7/2007 7.2 LCAIR16 4.7 LCAIR15 3.7

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The average PM10 concentration in June 2006, including both upwind and 

downwind sampling locations, was 8.5 μg/m3

. The maximum value was 10.5 

μg/m3 and the minimum value was 5.4 μg/m3

. For comparison, the average PM10

in Casper Wyoming was 18.8 μg/m3 from 1990 through 1994 (Natural Resources 

Defense Council, 2007). At the northern sampling location, the PM10

concentration in the upwind sample was more than 70 percent higher than the 

downwind sample. At the central and southern sampling locations, the upwind 

and downwind samples differed by 15 percent or less. The sample collection runs 

lasted between 21.5 to 28 hours. In February 2007, the PM10 concentration at the 

central sampling location was about one-half of the concentration in June 2006, 

possibly due to slightly damper soil conditions. 

The NAAQS criteria for PM10 set a limit of 150 μg/m3 for a 24-hour period, not to 

be exceeded more than once per year on an average over three years. The data 

show that for both upwind and downwind locations, this standard was not 

exceeded. 

3.10.2.3 Greenhouse Gases 

Existing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the vicinity of the Permit Area for 

the last five to ten years are primarily from gas and diesel vehicle and equipment 

engines, including: vehicles along the Wamsutter Crooks Gap, Sooner, and 

Mineral Exploration Roads; water well drilling rigs for exploration bore holes and 

test wells; and equipment for the Sweetwater Uranium Project. Table 3.10-9 

provides the estimated annual emissions from current activities. Specific figures 

on the number of vehicles, rigs, and equipment operating within and in the 

vicinity are not available. However, for the purposes of estimating the current 

level of traffic, it was assumed that five light-duty trucks operate in the vicinity, 

including one at the Sweetwater Uranium Project. For drilling activity, it was 

assumed to be one-tenth of that during installation of an operational mine unit, 

i.e., drilling of 40 borings and/or wells per year. Specific emissions were not 

included for the Sweetwater Uranium Project because of the limited operations 

and intermittent equipment use. 

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Table 3.10-9 Estimated Annual Emissions from Current Activities 

(tons/year) 

Drilling Activity Vehicular 

1 Traffic 

Well Drilling and 

Support Equipment 3

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 0.1 3.6

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 1.3 0.77

SO2 2 0.24

PM10 <0.01 0.25

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 42 134

Formaldehyde -- 2 0.001

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) -- 0.29 1 Using emission factors from EPA (2005) for a single vehicle multiplied by the expected number 

of vehicles, it was assumed that five light-duty trucks operate in the vicinity, including one at the 

Sweetwater Uranium Project. 2 Dashes (--) indicate information not provided in reference 

3 Operational mine unit (water well) drilling emissions from Table D.3-1, Appendix D of NRC 

SEIS (NRC, 2011a)

Ambient air quality is measured by the WDEQ at several monitoring locations 

throughout the state. The closest to the Permit Area is the Wamsutter monitoring 

station, which measures ozone, nitrogen oxides, methane, air toxics, and PM10.

None of these parameters exceeded the NAAQS or State standards in place (Air 

Resource Specialists, Inc., 2012). 

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) . 20log ( 10 reference sound pressure

sound pressure dB 

The common reference pressure used to calculate decibels is the threshold of 

human hearing. When using this reference value, 0 dB represents the threshold of 

hearing and 120 dB is the approximate level at which humans suffer immediate 

hearing impairment. In relative terms, a sound pressure level increase of 10 dB is

perceived as doubling the volume of a sound. 

In 1974, the EPA determined sound levels required to protect the health and 

welfare of the public (including an adequate margin of safety). For outdoor areas 

where people may spend limited amounts of time, such as the Permit Area, the 

sound energy level averaged over a 24-hour period should not exceed more than a 

49 dBA (A-weighted decibels). (The EPA’s Office of Noise Abatement and 

Control suggests 55 dBA for 24 hours with a 10 dBA penalty added for the hour 

between 22:00 and 07:00 [nighttime]. This is equivalent to a steady-state sound

level for 24 hours of 49 dBA [1978].) Although the EPA assigned regulation of 

environmental noise to the States in 1981, the 49 dBA level provides a useful 

reference value for the Project. 

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3.11 Noise 

3.11.1 Definition

Noise can be defined as unwanted sound of greater than usual volume. Noise, 

like other sound, can be quantified by its sound pressured level (SPL). SPL, 

measured in decibels (dB), is a logarithmic measure of the effective sound

pressure of a sound to a reference value: 

3.11.2 Ambient Noise in the Permit Area 

The Permit Area is rural and remote as described in Section 3.1. The closest nonProject structure is three miles to the south; the closest town, Bairoil, is 15 miles 

to the northeast; and the closest major road is 18 miles to the northeast. The 

closest residence is in Bairoil. There are no sensitive receptors near the Permit 

Area. Baseline noise levels for typical undeveloped desert or arid environments 

range from 22 dB on calm days to 38 dB on windy days (Brattstrom and 

Bondello, 1983; DOE, 2007). 

At present, ambient sounds in the Permit Area may be produced by high winds, 

aircraft flyovers (of unknown frequency), thunderstorms, and wildlife. Of these

sources, wind produces the most common, intense, and persistent sounds within 

the Permit Area. Field measurements were made in June 2007 and April 2009 

using a Sper Scientific Sound Meter 840005, which accurately measures noise 

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Table 3.11-1 Ambient Noise Field Measurements at the Plant Site 

Cardinal 

Direction 

Date 

June 13, 2007 April 28, 2009 

dBA dBA 

N <40 69

NE <40 73

E <40 87

SE <40 85

S <40 68

SW <40 89

W <40 89

NW <40 73

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between 40 and 80 dBA to within ±3.0 dBA. At eight cardinal directions, noise 

levels were measured for three 30-second intervals facing a cardinal direction. 

The peak noise level of each interval was recorded. The mean of these peak noise 

levels for each of the eight cardinal directions is presented in Table 3.11-1.

Initial noise measurements were made on the afternoon of June 13, 2007, 

presumably at the Plant site. Meteorological conditions at the time of 

measurement were relatively calm, with an east wind averaging 10.7 mph. As 

shown in Table 3.11-1, the measured noise levels were below the instrument 

detection limit of 40 dBA. 

Noise measurements at the Plant site were repeated on the morning of April 28, 

2009, when no workers were on site and no heavy equipment was operational. 

Meteorological conditions at the time of the measurements were windy, with a 

south-southwest wind averaging 25 mph and gusts up to 34 mph. Table 3.11-1 

shows the measured noise levels ranged from 68 to 89 dBA, with the greatest 

noise levels measured while facing west and southwest. The maximum peak noise 

level of a 30-second interval was 94 dBA, facing east and west. The minimum 

peak noise level was 66 dBA, facing north and south. The noise levels measured 

on April 28, 2009 were greater than on June 13, 2007 due to the high winds 

present. 

An ambient noise measurement was also made at the northwest high-volume air 

particulate sampler (Location HV-5 on Figure 3.15-4) prior to measurement of 

the noise produced by various equipment (the equipment noise measurements are 

included in Section 4.12). Meteorological conditions at the time of the 

measurements were breezy, with the wind averaging 8.5 mph with gusts up to 21 

mph. The noise level ranged from 60 to 70 dBA with an average of 65 dBA. 

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3.12 Historic and Cultural Resources 

Discussion of the results of the Project archaeological studies is confidential; 

disclosure of site locations is prohibited under 43 CFR 7.18. Therefore, the 

information in this section is presented in general terms. 

3.12.1 Overview of Historic and Cultural Setting 

The Great Divide Basin (Basin) is one of the geographic subregions in the 

Northwestern Plains cultural area (BLM, 2008a). The archaeological cultural 

sequence for the area is divided into the prehistoric periods (Paleoindian, Archaic, 

and Late Prehistoric) followed by the protohistoric and historic periods. The 

prehistoric period encompasses about 11,000 years between 12,000 BP (before 

present; anno domini [AD] 1950) and 250 BP (about AD 1700). The 

protohistoric period extends from about AD 1700 to AD 1840, and the historic 

period extends to 1957, which was the 50-year cutoff date for possible inclusion 

on to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) when the Project studies 

were conducted. 

The Paleoindian period, between 12,000 to 8,500 BP, is the earliest known period 

of human occupation in Wyoming (Thompson and Pastor, 1995). Paleoindian 

groups apparently colonized North America at the close of the last glaciation. 

These groups are typically associated with subsistence strategies that placed 

emphasis on big game hunting. The late Pleistocene period exhibited both cooler 

and wetter climatic conditions than those of the present day, and supported a more 

diverse environment of savanna and grasslands in the Wyoming area. Animal 

resources available at this time included camel, horse, mammoth, and a nowextinct bison species. 

The Archaic period, between 8,500 to 1,800 BP, is marked by an apparent change 

in material culture and subsistence practices from the preceding Paleoindian 

period. During this period, the climate became progressively warmer and drier as 

glacial conditions completely dissipated. Most megafauna species became extinct 

at the beginning of this period and bison diminished in size. In response to 

changing climatic and ecological conditions, native groups switched to an 

emphasis on smaller game animals and plant resources. This shift is most obvious 

archaeologically due to the vast increase in the number of ground stone artifacts 

compared to earlier periods (Thompson and Pastor, 1995). 

The transition from the Archaic to the Late Prehistoric period is marked by the 

development of pottery and the introduction of the bow and arrow. The Late 

Prehistoric period, between 1,800 to 250 BP, demonstrates a continuation of the 

increased exploitation of plant foods and the use of structures. This period 

appears to mark the highest population of southwestern Wyoming seen at any 

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time in prehistory (Thompson and Pastor, 1995), and ends with the introduction of 

European traders and trade goods into the region. 

The Protohistoric period dates from approximately 250 BP (1700 AD) until the 

full development of the fur trade in the 1840s. The easiest way to differentiate the 

Protohistoric period from the preceding period is through the presence or absence 

of European trade goods. One of the most important changes in this period was 

the acquisition of the horse in the early 18th century. The horse greatly increased 

the mobility and range of the inhabitants. Artifact assemblages from this period 

are often quite diverse with a mix of stone and metal projectile points, knives, 

copper trade goods and glass beads. 

The State of Wyoming recognizes seven historical divisions in the 19th and 20th 

centuries. These are the Early Historic, Pre-territorial, Territorial, Expansion, 

Depression, World War (WW) II era, and Post-WWII periods. The Early Historic 

period dates from 1801 to 1842 and represents the period when Anglo presence in 

Wyoming was largely limited to trappers and mountain men. The following Preterritorial period (1843 to 1867) covers the era from the start of the Oregon Trail 

to the organization of the territory. The Territorial period (1868 to 1889) marks a 

gradual increase in the population of the state and ends with President Benjamin 

Harrison signing the statehood bill in 1890 (Larson, 1965). The Expansion period 

(1890 to 1919) marks the early development of the state and ends after WWI. 

The Depression period (1920 to 1939) covers the depressed conditions of the 

1920s and 1930s and ends with the start of WWII. The WWII era (1940 to 1946) 

covers the period of the war and its immediate aftermath. The Post-WWII period 

covers the end of WWII until 1957, the 50-year cut-off for historic artifacts. Sites 

and artifacts more recent than 1957 are classified as modern. 

3.12.2 Archaeological Surveys 

In 2006, a Class I site file search was conducted prior to fieldwork in the main 

Permit Area. According to the file search, three Class III surveys had been 

conducted in the locality, including: Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office 

(SHPO) Cultural Resources Office (WYCRO) Projects 80-278, 88-875, and 93-

1306. Western Wyoming College completed Project 80-278 for a proposed 

uranium drill site. The BLM conducted Project 88-875 for a proposed fence line; 

and a consulting firm had conducted an intensive survey for an expansion of 

Wamsutter Road (not related to the Project). (Kinneer et al., 2007). 

In 2006 and 2007, a Class III archaeological inventory of the main Permit Area 

was conducted under BLM Cultural Resource Use Permit (CRUP) No. 033-WYSR06. The survey was conducted by qualified personnel in two four-person 

crews, walking systematically, conducting back-and-forth sweeps over the entire 

area, with spacing between individual transects not exceeding 100 feet (Kinneer et 

al., 2007). In November 2007, Class I and Class III archaeological surveys were 

conducted for the East and West Access Roads (Kinneer, 2008). Details of the 

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inventory methods are included in the respective reports for the studies, which 

were submitted to WDEQ-LQD (Appendices D3 and D-E&W-3 of the WDEQLQD Permit to Mine [LCI, 2011b]) and to NRC (Section 2.4 of the Technical 

Report [LCI, 2010]). 

3.12.2.1 Archaeological Survey Results 

The Class III survey of the main Permit Area resulted in the map relocation of a 

site found during one of the earlier surveys and the identification of 17 new sites 

and 75 isolated resources (IRs). Under the State Protocol between the BLM and 

the Wyoming SHPO, the IRs are ineligible to the NRHP and no further 

archaeological consideration of them is recommended. Of the new sites, ten were 

subjected to subsurface test excavation and evaluated for listing. Three 

prehistoric sites were recommended as eligible to the NRHP based on the testing 

results (NRC, 2011a). During the survey of the East and West Access Roads’ 

corridors in November 2007, two additional IRs, one historic and one prehistoric, 

were recorded. These IRs were, by definition, not eligible for the NRHP 

(Kinneer, 2008). 

3.12.3 Agency and Public Consultation 

LCI’s archaeological consultants began communications with BLM personnel 

early in the Project, prior to the 2006 and 2007 surveys; and the BLM received the 

reports of the study results when they became available. The reports were 

submitted to NRC in October 2007 as Section 2.4 of the Technical Report to NRC 

(LCI, 2010), with a Request for Confidentiality and associated Affidavit. The 

results for the main Permit Area and the East and West Access Roads were also 

submitted to WDEQ-LQD in December 2007 and October 2009 as Appendices 

D3 and D-E&W-3, respectively, of the WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine (LCI, 

2011b). These appendices are automatically considered confidential per WDEQLQD procedures. A subsequent mitigation plan for one site, discussed in more 

detail in Section 4.12, was also submitted to the BLM for review and approval 

and to WDEQ-LQD for inclusion in the Permit to Mine. 

The communication among the BLM, Wyoming SHPO, NRC, Bureau of Indian 

Affairs, and tribal governments is outlined in the following paragraphs. 

3.12.3.1 State Historic Preservation Office 

The BLM has a programmatic agreement with the Wyoming SHPO. NRC 

contacted the Wyoming SHPO in a letter dated October 3, 2008, requesting 

information from the SHPO to facilitate the identification of historic and cultural 

resources that could be affected by the Project. NRC staff also met with a 

member of the SHPO's office on January 12, 2009 to discuss site-specific issues, 

including Wyoming SHPO's review process, cumulative impacts to historic sites, 

and best management practices (BMPs). The staff also met with the SHPO on 

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June 25, 2009 to discuss protocol for archaeological sites found eligible for 

inclusion in the NRHP (NRC, 2011a). 

3.12.3.2 Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

During the permitting for the Lost Creek Project, the NRC and the BLM were

developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), such that the BLM and 

NRC would offer each other cooperating agency status for environmental reviews 

of ISR licensing projects involving BLM-managed lands. The BLM provided 

information and guidance on energy-related activities in the region to the NRC 

during preparation of the Draft SEIS for the Project (NRC, 2011a). 

Staff from several BLM offices, including the State Office in Cheyenne, Rawlins 

Field Office, and the Casper Field Office, met with the NRC in January 2009. 

Among other topics of discussion, the BLM provided guidance on typical 

mitigation measures to protect cultural resources. In addition to this meeting, the 

NRC consulted with the Wyoming BLM offices on a regular basis regarding the 

progress of the staff's environmental review for the Project (NRC, 2011a). 

3.12.3.3 Bureau of Indian Affairs 

The NRC staff met with staff from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Fort Washakie, 

Wyoming on January 15, 2009 to brief the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the 

proposed facilities in Wyoming and discuss how the Bureau of Indian Affairs and 

Native American tribes would be involved in the environmental review process. 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs stated that tribal governments should be consulted 

for any projects in the state, and also recommended that tribal elders be involved 

in cultural and historic surveys (NRC, 2011a). 

3.12.3.4 Tribal Governments 

Consultations with tribal governments were initiated by NRC in the form of 

letters dated December 24, 2008 to the following nine tribes: Eastern Shoshone, 

Northern Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Blackfeet, Three Affiliated Tribes, Ft. 

Peck Assinboine/Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Crow, and Cheyenne River Sioux. No 

responses from these tribes of this general inquiry were received by NRC. 

However, several communications have taken place with the Eastern Shoshone 

and Northern Arapaho with regard to the Project. Tribal Historic Preservation 

Officers (THPOs) from each of these two tribes have had several communications 

concerning an eligible pre-historic site discovered in the Permit Area. The THPO 

from the Eastern Shoshone visited the Permit Area and determined that it held no 

interest to the tribe (NRC, 2011a). 

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3.12.4 Paleontological Resources 

As noted in Table D5-3 of the WDEQ-LQD Permit to Mine, up to 20 feet of the 

shallow materials underlying the Permit Area are Quaternary materials derived 

from Tertiary age formations. Under the BLM’s Potential Fossil Yield 

Classification (PFYC) system, Quaternary age deposits are assigned a Class 2 

ranking, indicating the deposits are unlikely to have vertebrate fossils or 

significant nonvertebrate fossils. No significant paleontological resources are 

known to occur within the Permit Area. Any Quaternary materials are underlain 

by the Battle Spring Formation sandstone and shale. The Battle Spring Formation 

in the Permit Area is part of a major alluvial system consisting of thick beds of 

very fine- to coarse-grained arkosic sandstones separated by various layers of

mudstones and siltstones (LCI, 2010). Under the PFYC system, the Battle Spring 

Formation is assigned a ranking of Class 3A to 3B. These rankings range from 

moderate (3A) to unknown (3B) sensitivity for the occurrence of significant 

vertebrate or invertebrate fossils (BLM, 2007b). To date, no significant 

paleontological resources are known to occur within the Permit Area. 

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3.13 Visual and Scenic Resources 

3.13.1 Visual and Scenic Classifications 

The BLM classifies and manages scenic values and visual quality of public lands 

through visual resource inventories (detailed in BLM Land Use Planning 

Handbook H-1601-1, Appendix C [2005]). The visual resource inventory process 

provides BLM managers with a means for determining visual values. The 

inventory consists of a scenic quality evaluation, sensitivity level analysis, and a 

delineation of distance zones. The scenic quality evaluation is a measure of the 

visual appeal of the land; the sensitivity level analysis is a measure of the public 

concern for the scenic quality; and, distance zones indicate how often and how 

easily seen the area is from highways, rivers, or other common or important 

viewing locations. 

Based on these three factors, BLM-administered lands are placed into one of four 

visual resource inventory classes. These inventory classes represent the relative 

value of the visual resources. Class I is assigned to those areas where a 

management decision has been made previously to maintain a natural landscape. 

This includes areas such as national wilderness areas, the wild section of national 

wild and scenic rivers, and other congressionally and administratively designated 

areas where decisions have been made to preserve a natural landscape. Classes II, 

III, and IV are assigned based on a combination of scenic quality, sensitivity 

level, and distance zones. This is accomplished by combining the 3 overlays for 

scenic quality, sensitivity levels, and distance zones and using guidelines to assign 

the proper class. 

Inventory classes are informational in nature and provide the basis for considering 

visual values in the Resource Management Plan (RMP) process. They do not 

establish management direction and should not be used as a basis for constraining 

or limiting surface disturbing activities. Visual resource inventories are combined 

with BLM management goals established in BLM’s RMP for the area (Figure 

3.13-1). Within the RMP, BLM assigns one of the four management classes to 

the area based on the level of necessity to preserve the landscape and the 

acceptable level of change. The objectives of the four classes are: 

x Class I Objective. The objective of this class is to preserve the existing 

character of the landscape. This class provides for natural ecological 

changes; however, it does not preclude very limited management activity. 

The level of change to the characteristic landscape should be very low and 

must not attract attention. 

x Class II Objective. The objective of this class is to retain the existing 

character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic 

landscape should be low. Management activities may be seen, but should 

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not attract the attention of the casual observer. Any changes must repeat 

the basic elements of form, line, color, and texture found in the 

predominant natural features of the characteristic landscape. 

x Class III Objective. The objective of this class is to partially retain the 

existing character of the landscape. The level of change to the 

characteristic landscape should be moderate. Management activities may 

attract attention but should not dominate the view of the casual observer. 

Changes should repeat the basic elements found in the predominant 

natural features of the characteristic landscape. 

x Class IV Objective. The objective of this class is to provide for 

management activities which require major modifications of the existing 

character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic 

landscape can be high. These management activities may dominate the 

view and be the major focus of viewer attention. However, every attempt 

should be made to minimize the impact of these activities through careful 

location, minimal disturbance, and repeating the basic elements. 

Figure 3.13-1 Flow chart of the BLM Visual Resource Management 

process (From BLM Manual 8400) 
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3.13.2 Visual and Scenic Quality of the Permit Area 

The Permit Area and surrounding land is relatively homogenous. There is little 

topographic relief and the most visible vegetation is sagebrush of varying height 

(Section 3.7). There are shallow drainages and channels throughout and 

surrounding the Permit area, but flow is ephemeral in nature (Section 3.5).

There are no wilderness areas within approximately 60 miles of the Permit Area;

and the nearest town is located 15 miles northeast of the Permit Area (Figure 

3.13-2). The closest section of the Continental Divide Trail is eight miles to the 

northeast of the Permit Area. The closest portion of the Rawlins-Fort Washakie 

Stage Road, is approximately ten miles northeast of the eastern Project boundary. 

Although this stage road is mostly located on BLM-managed public lands, it is

not marked or well mapped. 

A visual resource inventory is available for most of the area affected by the

Project. Most of the surrounding area is VRI Class IV, which represents the least 

valued visual resource inventory class. The Rawlins Field Office has jurisdiction 

over the majority of the Permit Area, and the Lander Field office has jurisdiction 

over a small area in the northwestern section of the Permit Area. The Rawlins 

potion of the Permit Area is assigned as VRM Class III; while the Lander portion,

is assigned as VRM Class IV. The Rawlins RMP (BLM, 2008c) also shows a 

Class IV area just south of the Permit Area surrounding the Sweetwater Mill. 

The only potential sensitive visual receptors near the Permit Area are 

recreationists, such as hikers, sight-seers, antler collectors, OHV users, hunters, 

and wild horse viewers, as these activities can be dispersed throughout the Basin. 

Previous modifications to the natural environment of the Permit Area include

fencing, power lines, and roads. Drilling rigs can currently be seen in the Permit 

Area; although these impacts are temporary. Figure 3.13-3 includes photographs 

taken from the center of the Permit Area, facing eight compass directions. The

scenic quality field inventory score according to BLM methodology was seven 

out of a possible 32. The associated scenic quality classification was “C”, the 

lowest possible. 

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Figure 3.13-3 View from Center of Permit Area, October 2011 (Page 1 of 2

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Figure 3.13-3 View from Center of Permit Area, October 2011 (Page 2 

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3.14 Socioeconomic Conditions 

3.14.1 Introduction 

Several Native American tribes originally inhabited the region now known as 

Wyoming. The Crow, Arapaho, Lakota, and Shoshone tribes were present when 

European explorers came to the region. Although French fur traders were in the 

area in the late 1700s, the first recorded American explorer of Wyoming was John 

Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, in 1807. The initial 

development and settling of Wyoming throughout the 1800s can be attributed to 

the fur trade and the prospect of gold, which in turn, brought people westward via 

the Oregon, Mormon and Overland Trails. Most prospectors passed through 

Wyoming into neighboring states with an abundance of gold; however, Wyoming 

is rich in non-precious material, such as coal, oil, natural gas, bentonite, and 

uranium. Commercial coal mining expanded with the arrival of the railroad in the 

1860s, as the demand for coal increased across the nation. With the establishment 

of the railroad came the establishment of permanent towns and cattle ranching. 

Ranching was the State’s economic base until the world energy crisis enhanced 

the value of the State’s vast reserves of coal, oil, gas, and uranium. Then the State 

became an important national center of energy development, as it remains to this 

day. 

3.14.2 Study Area 

The socioeconomic study area comprises the State of Wyoming as well as 

counties and communities near the Permit Area. As shown in Figure 3.14-1, the 

Permit Area is situated in a remote area near the corners of four counties: 

Sweetwater County, Carbon County, Fremont County, and Natrona County. The 

communities of interest include Rawlins, Casper, Bairoil, Jeffrey City, and 

Wamsutter. Rawlins and Casper are the two larger population centers near the 

Permit Area. Rawlins and Casper are situated about 40 miles southeast and 90 

miles northeast of the Permit Area, respectively. The nearest and smallest 

population center is Bairoil, located about 15 miles northeast of the Permit Area. 

Jeffrey City is about 24 miles due north of the Permit Area. Both Bairoil and 

Jeffrey City are examples of boom-and-bust towns. Wamsutter is located about 

30 miles south-southwest of the Permit Area. 

3.14.3 Demographics 

According to the 2000 Census and population estimates of the 50 states, 

Wyoming is the least populous state even though it is the tenth largest in area 

(Population Division of the US Census Bureau, 2006). Behind Alaska, Wyoming 

has the second lowest state population density, 5.1 people per square mile. 

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As shown in Figure 3.14-2, population changes in the four counties of interest 

have paralleled those of the State. In general, Wyoming’s population has steadily 

risen throughout its history. Of note is the population change around 1980, during 

the time of the oil boom and bust. The population increased by about 50 percent 

between 1970 and 1980, and then decreased between 1980 and 1990. 

Figure 3.14-2 Historic and Projected Decennial Population, 

1870-2030 

* State of Wyoming Department of Administration and Information’s Economic Analysis 

Division (EAD), 2001; EAD, 2008 

In the 2000 Census, 493,782 people were reported living in Wyoming (EAD, 

2010m). By July 2009, an estimated 544,270 people resided in the State, which 

was an increase of 2.1 percent (11,300 people) from July 2008 – the highest 

percentage increase in the nation (EAD, 2009a). The 2.1-percent population 

growth was the State’s highest percentage growth since 1982, the last year of the 

oil boom. 

Table 3.14-1 lists the recorded and forecasted decennial populations of the State, 

counties, and communities of interest from 1990 to 2030. As of the most recent 

census, the populations of the counties ranged from 15,639 people (Carbon) to 

66,533 people (Natrona) (EAD, 2008). From 2000 to 2030, Carbon and Fremont 

counties were forecasted to increase their populations by 9 and 18 percent, 

respectively; Sweetwater and Natrona counties were forecasted to increase by 

nearly 30 percent. 

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.14-3 

July 2012 
Table 3.14-1 Population, 1990 to 2030 

Area 

Population (people) 

1990

Census 

2000

Census 

2010

Forecast 

2020

Forecast 

2030

Forecast 

Sweetwater County 38,823 37,613 41,700 46,530 48,130

Bairoil 228 97 103 115 119

Wamsutter 240 261 282 315 326

Carbon County 16,659 15,639 16,160 17,230 17,120

Rawlins 9,380 8,538 9,063 9,663 9,601

Fremont County 33,662 35,804 38,390 40,110 42,370

Jeffrey City -- 106 -- -- --

Natrona County 61,226 66,533 74,050 79,650 85,540

Casper 46,765 49,644 54,702 58,839 63,190

State of Wyoming 453,588 493,782 539,740 578,730 621,160

* EAD, 2001; EAD, 2008 

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

In 2000, the cities of Casper and Rawlins had populations of 49,644 and 8,538 

people, respectively. Each of the other communities of interest (Bairoil, Jeffrey 

City, Wamsutter) had less than 300 residents in 2000. As previously mentioned, 

both Bairoil and Jeffrey City are examples of boom-and-bust towns. The 

population of Bairoil was estimated around 240 people in the 1980s and early 

1990s, and then fell with the fall of oil and gas prices and the sale of oil 

properties. Jeffrey City was a former uranium mining town. Consequent to 

layoffs at the Big Eagle mine, the Lucky Mc mine, and the Split Rock processing 

mill, more than 95 percent of Jeffrey City’s residents left between 1980 and 1983. 

In 2000, Bairoil had a population of 97 people; Jeffrey City had a population of 

106 people. 

Population change is a result of births, deaths, and migration. As observed in 

Figure 3.14-3 and Figure 3.14-4, the State and counties are currently 

experiencing a new wave of births – the baby boomers’ grandchildren. Since 

deaths from 1971 to 2008 have remained fairly stable; the natural increase (sum 

of births minus deaths) reflects annual births. 

The net migration of the State and counties from 1971 to 2008 is presented in 

Figure 3.14-3. Generally indicative of employment opportunities, in-migration 

occurred from 1971 to about 1982 (the last year of the oil boom), from about 1991 

to 1996, and from about 2006 to present. Lagging behind the national recession 

by one year, Wyoming had a prospective job market in 2008. As such, the State 

attracted employment seekers from other areas of the country, such as Michigan, 

California, Nevada, and Florida (EAD, 2010c). From 2008 to 2009, the total net 

migration was 7,553 people. Overall, population change (natural increase plus the 

net migration) has been driven by migration. 

3.14-4 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

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Figure 3.14-3 Population Change Factors, 1971 to 2008 

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.14-5 

July 2012
Figure 3.14-4 Population Change, 1971 to 2008 

* EAD, 2010m

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

The median population age is dependent on four factors: fertility rates, mortality 

rates, baby booms, and in-migration. Fertility rates have declined, which affects 

the ratio of old to young (less than five years vs. greater than 65 years) (Liu and 

Bittner, 2010). Mortality rates have declined over the past century due to 

improved public health, advanced medical technology, and improved standards of 

living, thereby increasing the median age. As for baby booms, the baby boom of 

the grandchildren of the post-WW II baby boomers is currently ongoing, as 

observed in Figure 3.14-5. In-migrants also affect the median population age. 

Since in-migrants tend to be younger, the mean population age tends to decrease 

as in-migration increases. In 2000, the median age of Wyoming was 36.2 years 

(US Census Bureau, 2000). The median age of Sweetwater, Carbon, Fremont, 

and Natrona counties was 34.2 years, 38.9 years, 37.7 years, and 36.4 years, 

respectively. 

3.14-6 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

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Figure 3.14-5 Population by Age and Gender, 2009 

CARBON COUNTY 

NATRONA COUNTY FREMONT COUNTY 

SWEETWATER COUNTY 

* EAD, 2010a 

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

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Table 3.14-2 Population by Race, 2000 

Race Wyoming Sweetwater 

County 

Carbon 

County 

Fremont 

County 

Natrona 

County 

# % # % # % # % # %

White 454,670 92 34,461 92 14,092 90 27,388 77 62,644 94

Black or 

African 

American 

3,722 1 275 1 105 1 44 0 505 1

American 

Indian and 

Alaska 

Native 

11,133 2 380 1 199 1 7,047 20 686 1

Asian 2,771 1 240 1 105 1 106 0 277 0

Native 

Hawaiian 

and Other 

Pacific 

Islander 

302 0 16 -- 9 0 9 -- 25 --

Some 

other race 12,301 3 1,349 4 808 5 417 1 1,275 2

Two or 

more

races 

8,883 2 892 2 321 2 793 2 1,121 2

Total 493,782 100 37,613 100 15,639 100 35,804 100 66,533 100

* US Census Bureau, 2000 

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.14-2 shows the population distribution by race. According to the 2000 

Census, 92 percent of Wyomingites identified themselves as white (US Census 

Bureau). The other reported races of the population are shown in Table 3.14-2.

Sweetwater, Carbon, and Natrona counties had comparable distributions of race. 

Fremont County’s population was 77 percent white and 20 percent American 

Indian or Alaska Native. A portion of the Wind River Indian Reservation, the 

only tribal land of Wyoming, is located in Fremont County. In 2000, six percent 

of the State’s population was of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. About four to five 

percent of Fremont and Natrona counties’ populations were of Hispanic or Latino 

ethnicity, whereas Sweetwater and Carbon counties’ Hispanic or Latino ethnic 

populations were nine and 14 percent, respectively. 

As defined by the US Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and 

Budget, a minority population is any group other than single-race, non-Hispanic 

white. According to estimates by the US Census Bureau, Wyoming’s total 

minority population was 75,119 people or 13.8 percent of the State’s population 

in July 2009 (EAD, 2010f). Between April 2000 and July 2009, the minority 

population increased by an estimated 21,489 people or 40 percent of the 2000 

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population, which contrasts to the 10.2 percent increase of the State’s population. 

Those of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity were the largest minority group, increasing 

from 31,669 to 43,977 people during the nine-year time frame. Non-white races 

(black or African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Asian) 

increased at least 24 percent from the 2000 population. The majority (single-race, 

non-Hispanic, white) population increased by an estimated 8.4 percent from the 

2000 population. Predominantly Native American, Fremont County had the 

highest estimated minority population (10,846 people or 28 percent) in 2009. In 

2009, minorities in Sweetwater, Carbon, and Natrona counties represented an 

estimated 17.7, 19.4, and 11.1 percent of the total county populations, 

respectively. 

In 2000, 98 percent of the State’s population was US native (US Census Bureau). 

Of the foreign-born population, about 40 percent was from Latin America, 26 

percent was from Europe, 19 percent was from Asia, 10 percent was from North 

America, 2 percent was from Africa, and 2 percent was from Oceania. 

The majority of the State’s population is located in urban areas. In 2000, one of 

every five Wyomingites lived in either Cheyenne or Casper (US Census Bureau, 

2000). About two-thirds of the population lived in urban areas in 2000. Rawlins 

accounted for 57 percent of Carbon County’s population in 2000. Three in four 

of Natrona County’s population resided in Casper in 2000. 

At the time of the 2000 Census, there were 193,608 households in Wyoming (US 

Census Bureau). The composition of households was comparable between the 

State and the counties of interest. About two-thirds of these households were 

family households, of which 55 percent were married couples, about 33 percent 

had children under the age of 18 years, and about 10 percent were female 

householders with no husband present. The average household size for the State 

and the counties of interest was about 2.5 people, which is comparable to that of 

the average family size of about 3.0 people of the State and counties of interest. 

School enrollment in the State and the counties of interest in 2000 is presented in 

Table 3.14-3. About one in every four people was enrolled in school at the State 

and county level (US Census Bureau, 2000). In the State and the counties of 

interest, about 85 percent of the population older than 25 years had completed 

high school and about 20 percent had received at least a bachelor’s degree. 

About 12 percent of Wyomingites identified themselves as civilian veterans in 

2000 (US Census Bureau). Ten to thirteen percent of people residing in counties 

of interest were civilian veterans in 2000. 

In 2000, 15.6 percent of the Wyoming population was disabled (US Census 

Bureau). Of this percentage, 12 percent was 5 to 20 years old, 60 percent was 21 

to 64 years old, and 28 percent was at least 65 years old. 

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.14-9 

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Table 3.14-3 School Enrollment, 2002 

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3.14.4 Economic Trends and Characteristics 

The Wyoming economy is largely focused on the State’s primary industry: 

mining, which includes oil and gas development. Even though it is the foundation 

of Wyoming’s economy, the extent to which mining occurs depends heavily on 

state and national demand for domestic resources. For example, during WWII, 

Wyoming oil production spiked and refineries in the State produced aircraft fuel 

and other petroleum products that supported planes, ships and tanks of the war. 

Another example is between 1978 and 1986, when oil prices experienced their 

largest historical fluctuation; national prices increased from $9 per barrel in 1978 

to $31.77 per barrel in 1981. As a result, employment in Wyoming’s oil and gas 

sector increased by 374 percent from 1971 to 1981. By 1986, prices had 

decreased to $12.51 per barrel, causing Wyoming’s oil production to decline 

steadily and approximately 14,000 industry jobs and more industry-related jobs 

were lost in six years. While the State has not since experienced a comparable 

period of boom and bust, economic trends and characteristics continue to be 

associated with mining. Mid-year 2008, crude oil and natural gas prices peaked. 

By the end of 2008, the downturn in energy exploration dragged Wyoming’s 

economy into a recession, about one year after the US recession began (EAD, 

2010e). Crude oil prices began recovering at the start of 2009; natural gas prices 

began recovering later in 2009. The improved energy prices have been slowly 

stabilizing the mining sector, thereby stabilizing Wyoming’s economy. 

3.14.4.1 Gross Domestic Product 

Gross domestic product (GDP) is the total market value of goods and services 

produced by the labor and property within a specified area during a certain time 

period. In 2008, Wyoming’s GDP ($35.3 billion) was the third lowest in the 

nation (EAD, 2009b). Unlike the fairly even distribution of GDP across various 

industries in the US, Wyoming’s GDP has been dominated by mining. As shown 

in Figure 3.14-6 and Figure 3.14-7, mining has accounted for as little as 16 

percent (in 1998) to as much as 48 percent (in 1981) of the State GDP from 1977 

to 2008 (EAD, 2010l and 2010k). In 2008, the GDP primarily comprised of: 

mining (33 percent); real estate, rental and leasing (7 percent); construction (6 

percent); transportation and warehousing (6 percent); retail trade (5 percent); 

utilities (4 percent); health care and social assistance (4 percent); wholesale trade 

(3 percent); accommodation and food services (3 percent); manufacturing (3 

percent); and government (13 percent). 

Although agriculture was only one percent of Wyoming’s GDP in 2008, it is 

culturally significant to Wyoming residents. As noted by the EAD, “Wyoming 

has a rich agricultural history and many rural residents rely on agriculture for their 

livelihood. The influence and significance of agriculture may not be evident in a 

basic analysis of Wyoming’s economy, but by visiting the State or talking with 

one of the many ranching or farming families reveals the importance of 

agriculture in Wyoming’s identity” (2009b).

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3.14-12 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012

Figure 3.14-6 GDP by Industry, 1977 to 1997 

* EAD, 2010

(Includes oil and gas production) 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997

Year

GDP (percent)
Figure 3.14-7 GDP by Industry, 1997 to 2008 

*EAD, 2010kOther = Professional and Technical Services; Finance and Insurance, Information; Administrative and Waste Services; Ag

Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; Management of Companies and Enterprises; and Education S

0

102030405060708090

100

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Year

GDP (percent)

MiningReal Estate, Rental, and ConstructionTransportation and WareRetail TradeUtilitiesHealth Care and Social AWholesale TradeAccommodation and FooManufacturingOtherGovernment

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3.14.4.2 Revenue and Taxation 

As of April 2010, the three major sources of income to Wyoming’s general fund 

were: the sales and use tax; investment income; and the severance tax (Consensus 

Revenue Estimating Group, 2010). Table 3.14-4 lists the sources of the State’s 

general fund revenue. 

Sales and Use Tax 

The sales and use tax varies in the counties of interest: 

• Sweetwater County has a six-percent sales and use tax (statewide base of 

four percent, one-percent optional general purpose county tax, and onepercent optional specific purpose county tax); 

• Carbon County has a five-percent sales and use tax (statewide base of four 

percent and one-percent optional general purpose county tax); 

• Fremont County has a five-percent sales and use tax (statewide base of 

four percent and one-percent optional specific purpose county tax); and 

• Natrona County has a five-percent sales and use tax (statewide base of 

four percent and one-percent optional general purpose county tax) 

(Wyoming Department of Revenue, 2008). 

Table 3.14-5 presents the sales and use tax distribution of the counties of interest. 

The State sales tax contributes the largest sales and use tax revenue to each 

county, representing 53 percent (Carbon County) to 73 percent (Natrona County). 

The State use tax generates seven percent (Natrona County) to 13 percent 

(Sweetwater and Carbon counties) of the total sales and use tax revenue. 

The general purpose tax of the counties provides 16 percent (Sweetwater County) 

to 20 percent (Carbon County) of the sales and use tax revenue. Fremont County 

does not have a general purpose tax. 

A specific purpose tax exists in Sweetwater, Carbon and Fremont counties. A 

specific purpose tax is an additional percent of sales tax paid by visitors and 

residents on most goods and services within a given county. Funds generated 

from the specific purpose tax of a county are used for specific county projects 

approved by county voters. Sweetwater County’s specific purpose tax accounts 

for 16 percent of the sales and use tax revenue; Fremont County’s specific 

purpose tax accounts for 20 percent of the sales and use tax revenue. Carbon 

County’s specific purpose tax is negligible. Natrona County does not have a 

specific purpose tax. Each of the counties also has a lodging tax that may range 

from two to five percent, which contributes no more than one percent of the sales 

and use tax revenue. 

3.14-14 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

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3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Investment Income 

As of June 2009, the State’s investment portfolio totaled $11.6 billion (Wyoming 

Treasurer’s Office), and the State had seven investments: the Permanent 

Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund (PWMTF), the Permanent Land Funds; the 

Hathaway Scholarship Endowment Fund; the Excellence in Higher Education 

Endowment Fund; the Workers Compensation Fund; the Tobacco Settlement 

Fund; and the State Agency Pool. As shown in Table 3.14-7, the PWMTF 

accounted for more than one-third of the State’s investment in both 2005 and 

2009 (Wyoming Treasurer’s Office, 2005 and 2009). The State Agency Pool 

accounted for about another third of the State’s investment in 2005 and 2009. In 

2009, the total State investment was about 180 percent, nearly double, of the total 

State investment in 2005. Investment income is a primary source of income to the 

State’s general fund, which is distributed to towns, cities, counties, the University, 

community colleges, rural hospitals, county libraries, and state agencies. The 

investment income supports public primary and secondary schools, scholarship 

programs for Wyoming students, the hiring of and resources for faculty at the 

University of Wyoming, recruitment and faculty retention at community colleges, 

workers compensation costs, and health improvement programs. 

Severance Tax 

A severance tax is an excise tax on the present and continued privilege of 

removing, extracting, severing, or producing any mineral in Wyoming. 

Functioning like a savings account, the PWMTF holds 25 percent of all severance 

taxes received by the State. In accordance with WS §39-14-801, severance taxes 

are distributed to communities, counties, road construction and maintenance 

funds, the highway fund, water development accounts, the capital construction 

account, and the general fund. As seen in Table 3.14-7, the PWMTF balance was 

$4.262 billion on June 30, 2009 (Wyoming Treasurer’s Office, 2009). 

Mining 

The minerals industry accounts for a substantial share of revenues to the State and 

to local governments in Wyoming. Even though produced minerals are exempt 

from property taxes, mineral producers pay two other types of taxes: the county 

property (ad valorem-gross products) tax on production; and the state severance 

tax. Producers pay county property (ad valorem) taxes on plants, refineries, 

mining and well head equipment, pipelines, and other facilities used in the 

mineral production and transportation operations. 

The State’s total taxable valuation of mineral production is comprised of the 

following: 59 percent natural gas, 20 percent oil, 18 percent coal, and one percent 

other minerals, including trona, bentonite, sand and gravel, uranium, etc. 

(Wyoming Department of Revenue, 2009). In 2008, the counties of interest 

contributed 21 percent of the State’s total mineral taxable value from the 

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production of natural gas, oil, coal, trona, bentonite, and sand and gravel (Table

3.14- 6), but uranium was not noted as a taxable mineral. 

As shown in Table 3.14- 6, Sweetwater County’s mineral production is related to 

natural gas, oil, coal, trona, and sand and gravel. Carbon County produces natural 

gas, oil, coal, and sand and gravel. Mineral production in Fremont County is 

based on gas, oil, and sand and gravel. Natrona County produces natural gas, oil, 

bentonite, and sand and gravel. Sweetwater County is the only county in the State 

with trona and underground coal production.

Other

Other sources of State revenue include sales and services charges, the franchise 

tax, the cigarette tax, penalties and interest, federal aid and grants, etc. Unlike 

most other states, Wyoming does not levy personal or corporate income tax. The

State does not assess tax on retirement income earned and received from another 

state, nor does it collect inheritance taxes.

3.14-16 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

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Table 3.14-4 State General Fund Revenue, 2004 to 

Table 3.14-5 County Sales and Use Tax Distribution, 2

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Table 3.14- 6 Percentage of State Mineral Taxable Value by Cou

Table 3.14-7 Wyoming State Investment, 2005 to 2009 

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3.14.4.3 Labor and Employment 

The latest actual labor and employment information for the State of Wyoming and 

counties of interest is from the 2000 census report (US Census Bureau, 2000). In 

2000, two-thirds of the Wyoming population of ages 16 years and older was in the 

labor force. Only five percent of the labor force was unemployed at that time. 

Table 3.14-8 shows the percentage of employment by industry in 2000 for the 

State and the counties of interest. 

In 2000, the common top of employment industries for the counties of interest 

included: educational, health, and social services; retail trade; arts, entertainment, 

recreation, accommodation, and food services; and, agriculture, forestry, fishing, 

hunting, and mining (except for Natrona County). Sweetwater County’s 

employment in the transportation, warehousing, and utilities industry and the 

manufacturing industry is higher than the other counties. Carbon County has a 

higher percentage of employment in public administration compared to other 

counties of interest. Fremont County’s employment distribution by industry is 

similar to the State. Natrona County has a noticeably higher percentage of 

employment in the professional, scientific, management, administrative, and 

waste management services. In the counties of interest in 2000, the private sector 

represented 64 to 77 percent of the work force; the government sector represented 

16 to 25 percent of the work force; and the self-employed represented 6 to 9 

percent of the work force. 

From 1969 to 2008, the State full-time and part-time employment (156 percent 

growth) increased more than the national employment (100 percent growth) 

(EAD, 2010h). In fact, driven by the mining sector, Wyoming had the highest 

annual employment growth rates of the nation from 2006 to 2008 (Liu and 

Bittner, 2010). Employment in the counties of interest has generally paralleled 

State employment, as shown in Figure 3.14-8.

By the end of 2008, the economic recession was taking effect in Wyoming. 

Between the fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009, employment in the State decreased 

by 18,530 jobs (EAD, 2010e). In the fourth quarter of 2009, Wyoming’s 

unemployment rate climbed to 7.5 percent, while the US unemployment rate rose 

to 10.0 percent. As observed across the nation, Wyoming’s job growth occurred 

only in a few industries between the fourth quarters of 2008 and 2009. 

Educational and health services had the highest employment increase (2.4 percent 

or 600 jobs) among the private industries. The government industry added 1,170 

jobs or 1.6 percent. Consequent to low commodity prices, the mining industry 

lost 6,100 jobs or 20.0 percent over the year, which in turn affected other services 

and industries. The construction industry lost 4,730 jobs or 17.0 percent within 

the one-year period. As a result of these layoffs, the available labor force 

increased. Fortunately, the unemployment rate appears to be peaking (EAD, 

2010e). As of January 2010, the State’s unemployment rate was 7.5 percent 

(EAD, 2010d). 

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.14-19

July 2012 
Table 3.14-8 Employment by Industry, 2000 

Industry 

Employment (percent) 

State of Counties 

Wyoming Sweetwater Carbon Fremont Natrona 

Educational, health and social 

services 21.5 18.2 17.1 28.5 21.2

Retail trade 11.8 11.9 10.3 12 14.5

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and 

hunting, and mining 10.7 14.8 12.1 9.5 6.7

Arts, entertainment, recreation, 

accommodation, and food services 9.6 8.8 10.4 8.4 8.5

Construction 8.7 8.6 10 8.4 8.1

Transportation and warehousing, 

and utilities 6.6 9.6 8.5 4.6 4.9

Public administration 6.3 3.9 10.7 7.3 5.2

Professional, scientific, 

management, administrative, and 

waste management services 

5.9 4.3 4.8 5.2 8.1

Other services (except public 

administration) 4.9 4 3.3 5.3 5.7

Manufacturing 4.9 8.2 6.6 3 6.1

Finance, insurance, real estate, and 

rental and leasing 4.7 3.8 3.2 3.6 4.7

Wholesale trade 2.3 2.2 1.3 2.1 4.3

Information 2.2 1.5 1.6 2.2 2

* US Census Bureau, 2000 

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.14-20 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
Figure 3.14-8 Full-Time and Part-Time Employment, 1969 to 2008 

* EAD, 2010h

0

10,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,000

1969

1971

1973

1975

1977

1979

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

Year

County Full-Time and Part-Time Employment

0511223344

State of Wyoming Sweetwater County Carbon County Fremont County Natrona County

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Table 3.14-9 Household Income, 1999 

Income 

Households (percent) 

State of 

Wyoming 

Counties 

Sweetwater Carbon Fremont Natrona 

Less than $10,000 9.2 6.5 11.9 12 8.7

$10,000 to $14,999 7.5 5.4 7.5 8.4 8

$15,000 to $24,999 14.9 12 14.9 17.2 15.3

$25,000 to $34,999 14.3 11.9 14.6 15.8 15.6

$35,000 to $49,999 18.3 17.7 18.2 19.5 18.1

$50,000 to $74,999 20.2 25.8 20 16.1 19.5

$75,000 to $99,999 9 12.5 7 6 8.5

$100,000 to $149,999 4.5 6.7 3.7 3.2 4.3

$150,000 to $199,999 1 1 1.2 0.8 0.9

$200,000 or more 1.3 0.6 1 1 1.1

Median household 

income (dollars) $37,892 $46,537 $36,060 $32,503 $36,619

* US Census Bureau, 2000 

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.14.4.4 Income 

As with labor and employment, income data were collected and evaluated from 

the 2000 census report (US Census Bureau, 2000). Table 3.14-9 presents the 

distribution of household incomes in 1999 for the State of Wyoming and the 

counties of interest. Two-thirds of household incomes in the State as well as each 

county of interest ranged between $15,000 and $74,999. 

In 1999, the median family income of the State was 21 percent higher than the 

median household income. Natrona County’s median family income was 24 

percent higher than the median household income in 1999. The median family 

incomes of the other counties of interest were 16 to 17 percent higher. The 

State’s per capita 1999 income was $19,134. The 1999 per capita income of the 

counties of interest ranged from $16,519 in Fremont County to $19,575 in 

Sweetwater County. 

The income of full-time workers contrasted between genders. For the State in 

1999, males had an income of $34,442, and females had an income of $21,735. 

In other words, the income of females was about two-thirds of that of males, 

which was true for the counties of interest except Sweetwater County. In 

Sweetwater County, the female income was half of the male income. 

In 1999, eight percent of families and 11 percent of individuals in Wyoming lived 

in poverty. The percent of families below the poverty level in the counties of 

interest ranged from five percent in Sweetwater County to 13 percent in Fremont 

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County. The percent of individuals below the poverty level in the counties of 

interest ranged from eight percent in Sweetwater County to 18 percent in Fremont 

County. 

3.14.4.5 Cost of Living 

The Wyoming Cost of Living Index was assessed by EAD for the fourth quarter 

of 2009. The Wyoming Cost of Living Index is a summary of price data collected 

in 28 cities and towns throughout Wyoming. The price data collected were used 

to build a comparative index and to estimate inflation rates for Wyoming. The 

140 items surveyed were aggregated into six categories, which were then 

weighted according to their overall importance in the average consumer’s budget. 

Figure 3.14-9 displays the Wyoming cost of living categories with their weights 

in the fourth quarter of 2009. The housing category carries the largest weight (49 

percent) and is the most influential category in both the comparative index and the 

inflation rates (EAD, 2010j). The other cost of living categories in decreasing 

order of weight were transportation (15 percent), food (15 percent), recreation and 

personal care (10 percent), medical (6 percent), and apparel (5 percent). 

Figure 3.14-9 Wyoming Cost of Living Categories and their 

Weights, 4Q09

* EAD, 2010j

Table 3.14-10 presents the comparative index, which compares the price level of 

each county to the statewide average of 100 for the fourth quarter of 2009. 

Fremont County has an observably lower cost of housing and apparel, and higher 

recreation/personal care and medical costs compared to the State and the other 

counties of interest. Carbon County has higher food and apparel costs. 

Sweetwater County has the highest housing costs. 

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Table 3.14-10 Wyoming Comparative Cost of Living Index, 4Q09

Prices

Category State of 

Wyoming 

Counties 

Sweetwater Carbon Fremont Natrona 

Housing 100 106 101 94 103

Transportation 100 101 102 101 101

Food 100 97 106 93 95

Recreation and 

Personal Care 100 96 103 107 98

Medical 100 99 96 111 97

Apparel 100 97 112 84 95

All Items 100 102 102 97 100

* EAD, 2010j

Table 3.14-11 Percent Annual Inflation Rates by Category, 2003 to 

2009 

Quarter 

Inflation Rate by Category 

Housing Transportation Food 

Recreation 

& Personal 

Care 

Medical Apparel All 

Categories 

4Q03 5.7 -1.2 5.1 1.4 3.0 2.2 3.6

2Q04 6.3 4.8 5.2 -0.4 5.0 1.8 4.9

4Q04 4.8 5.9 4.2 0.4 5.5 0.4 4.3

2Q05 5.1 6.2 3.1 1.5 5.0 1.0 4.5

4Q05 5.3 6.6 5.3 0.4 5.8 4.4 5.0

2Q06 6.9 7.9 2.0 2.0 4.3 3.7 5.6

4Q06 7.2 1.2 0.4 2.3 3.8 3.6 4.4

2Q07 6.1 1.2 6.5 2.2 5.0 3.5 4.7

4Q07 5.2 9.9 6.8 4.6 5.9 2.9 6.1

2Q08 7.2 15.0 7.4 3.4 5.5 2.3 7.9

4Q08 6.5 -15.1 7.0 7.5 5.6 2.3 2.6

2Q09 1.1 -11.2 1.7 5.2 5.3 2.4 0.0

4Q09 -0.6 16.9 -0.8 2.6 2.8 1.7 2.7

* EAD, 2010j

3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

The annual inflation rates by cost of living categories from 2003 to 2009 are 

presented in Table 3.14-11. The inflation rate represents the percent change in 

the price level of selected consumer items for the given category from the price 

level of the same goods one year prior. Of note are changes to the inflation rates 

of transportation, housing, and food. The transportation inflation rate flipped 

from positive 15 to negative 15 between the second and fourth quarters of 2008. 

Annual housing and food inflation rates remained fairly stable until the second 

quarter of 2009, when they decreased substantially. Statewide inflation for the 

fourth quarter of 2009 was the same rate (2.7 percent) as the nation, with 

increased transportation costs again contributing to the inflation rate. 

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3.14.4.6 Housing 

In 2000, Wyoming had 223,854 housing units, 86.5 percent of which were 

occupied (EAD, 2010g). Of the occupied units, 70 percent were owner-occupied 

and the other 30 percent were renter-occupied. The counties of interest shared 

similar housing occupancy percentages to the State except Carbon County (Table 

3.14-12). Carbon County reported a housing occupancy of 73.8 percent, which 

equates to a higher vacancy (26.2 percent). In the State, Fremont County and 

Natrona County, the homeowner vacancy was 2 percent, and the rental vacancy 

was 10 percent in 2000. In 2000, Sweetwater County had a vacancy of 3 percent 

and 16 percent for homeowners and rentals, respectively. Carbon County had a 

homeowner vacancy of 5 percent and a rental vacancy of 17 percent in 2000. 

In 2000, the median value of owner-occupied housing units in Wyoming was 

$96,600 (US Census Bureau, 2000). The median value of owner-occupied 

housing units for the counties of interest ranged from $76,500 (Carbon County) to 

$104,200 (Sweetwater County). Carbon County had the highest percentage (75) 

of owner-occupied housing units valued less than $100,000 (Figure 3.14-10). In 

Wyoming, two-thirds of the houses were mortgaged, with a median monthly 

mortgage of $825. Approximately half to two-thirds of houses in the counties of 

interest were mortgaged, with a median monthly mortgage range of $685 (Carbon 

County) to $953 (Sweetwater County). In the State and the counties of interest in 

1999, about half of the homeowners paid less than 15 percent of their monthly 

income on home ownership costs, and about 85 percent paid less than 30 percent. 

In 1999, the median gross monthly rent across the State was $428. At least 82 

percent of the rentals in each county of interest cost less than $750 per month. 

The percentage of monthly rental cost to monthly income differed from that of 

homeownership cost to monthly income. Only one-quarter to one-third of renters 

allocated less than 15 percent of their income to housing costs. About 20 percent 

of renters in the counties of interest paid at least 35 percent of their income for 

housing, compared to 10 percent of homeowners. 

In 2007, when energy prices were continuing to rise, the housing situation was 

difficult to characterize with any degree of certainty because the status of the 

housing market and availability was changing constantly. The high demand on 

housing from the oil and gas industry was impacting the availability and price of 

both owner-occupied and rental units. The housing situation was a major issue 

for the region. Lack of affordable housing contributed to social problems and 

created a transitory workforce with little invested in the local communities. 

Since 2007, Wyoming’s active residential real estate markets have eased 

somewhat with increased inventories and lower transactions in many communities 

(EAD, 2010e). Homebuilders have been cautious due to layoffs and tight credit. 

Even though housing inventory build-up and decreased demand have led home 

sellers to accept lower prices, Wyoming was still one of only a few states in the 

nation where home prices appreciated in 2008. 

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Table 3.14-12 General Housing Characteristics, 2000 

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Figure 3.14-10 House Values, 2000 

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In 2009, home construction and existing home prices continued to decrease. 

Consequently, residential construction permits decreased. Figure 3.14-11 shows

the annual housing units authorized by building permits from 1987 to 2009. The 

permitted housing units of Wyoming peaked in 2007 at 4,584, fell to 2,669 in 

2008, and fell even further to 2,294 in 2009. The permitted housing units in 

Sweetwater and Carbon counties also peaked in 2007 and then dramatically fell in 

2008; however, Sweetwater County’s permitted housing units increased from 245 

in 2008 to 351 in 2009. Both Fremont and Natrona counties had declines in 

permitted housing units from 2005 to 2008. 

The State’s price contraction in 2009 was the deepest decline since the late 1980s 

(EAD, 2010e). However, Wyoming homes retain most of their value despite the 

weak pace of sales and prices. Growth in affordability and relatively few 

foreclosures help protect residential real estate from significant declines. Strong 

population and income gain, and the lack of reliance upon non-prime lending to 

sustain home sales in recent years have left Wyoming’s housing market fairly 

stable. Wyoming was still in first place throughout the country in terms of 

cumulative five-year home price appreciation in the fourth quarter of 2009. 

Figure 3.14-11 Annual Housing Units Authorized by Building 

Permits, 1987 to 2009

* EAD, 2010b 

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3.14.5 Infrastructure and Services 

The infrastructure and services include education, health care, law enforcement 

and fire protection, communication, utilities, and recreation (transportation is 

discussed in Section 3.2.) The discussion is focused on communities and 

counties, including Bairoil and Wamsutter in Sweetwater County, Rawlins in 

Carbon County, and Casper in Natrona County. Common municipal services 

include administration (e.g., council, manager, clerk), police, fire, public works, 

and parks and recreation. The counties provide typical government services, such 

as assessor, attorney, clerk, commissioners, treasurer, planning, roads and bridges, 

sheriff, and emergency management. 

3.14.5.1 Education 

Two school districts serve the immediate Project region: Sweetwater County 

School District One and Carbon County School District One. In 2009, the total 

enrollment of Sweetwater County School District One was 5,033 students 

(Wyoming Department of Education, 2010). From 1991 to 2009, Sweetwater 

School District One’s enrollment ranged from 4,193 students (in 2003) to 6,127 

students (in 1991) with an average of 5,063 students. The total enrollment of 

Carbon County School District One in 2009 was 1,727 students. Between 1991 

and 2009, Carbon County School District One’s enrollment ranged from 1,664 

students (in 2004) to 2,420 students (in 1991) with an average of 1,989 students. 

Although Bairoil and Wamsutter are within Sweetwater County, their public 

education is overseen by both Sweetwater County School District One and 

Carbon County School District One. Bairoil Elementary School is part of Carbon 

County School District One and had five students enrolled in 2008 (Wyoming 

Department of Education, 2010). Wamsutter has an elementary and middle 

school (Desert Elementary and Middle School) for grades kindergarten through 

8th; this school is served by Sweetwater County School District One. Desert 

Elementary and Middle School enrolled 71 students and 12 students in 2008, 

respectively. Middle school students in the Bairoil area attend Rawlins Middle 

School. High school students in the Bairoil and Wamsutter area attend Rawlins 

High School. Both Rawlins Middle School and High School are in Carbon 

County School District One. 

Rawlins is served by Carbon County School District One, and has three 

elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. The enrollment of 

the three elementary schools in 2008 was 322 students at Highland Hills 

Elementary, 208 students at Mountain View Elementary, and 250 students at 

Pershing Elementary. A new Rawlins Elementary School was completed in 2011 

for all Rawlins second through fifth grades, with expansion plans to include 

kindergarten and first grade. Rawlins Middle School enrolled 341 students in 

2008. Rawlins High School and Rawlins Cooperative High School (an alternative 

school) enrolled 425 students and 23 students, respectively, in 2008. 

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Natrona School District One serves the Casper area. Within Casper, Natrona 

School District One serves 19 elementary schools, five junior high/middle 

schools, and three high schools. An additional elementary school, Summit 

Elementary, was opened on the east side of Casper in August 2010. As of 2008, 

the Casper elementary schools enrolled 5,101 students. The five Casper junior 

high/middle schools enrolled 2,718 students in 2008. The three Casper High 

Schools enrolled 2,967 students in 2008. 

Also located in Casper are Casper College and the Wyoming Contractors 

Association McMurry Training Center, which offer higher education and 

technical training opportunities and facilities. Casper College has approximately 

4,000 full- and part-time students. The McMurry Training Center provides 

industry-driven, short-term, high intensity training programs for job placement 

and career development in the construction, energy, and transportation industries. 

The McMurry Training Center offers three tiers of service: 

• Full-service solution: McMurry Training Center recruits, screens, trains, 

and places technical labor; 

• Trainers solution: an industry or business provides a specific curriculum 

and McMurry Training Center provides expert trainers and facilities; and 

• Facilities solution: a specific industry or business leases the training 

facility, and provides their own curriculum, trainers, and employees. 

3.14.5.2 Health Care 

The nearest hospital to the Permit Area is the Memorial Hospital of Carbon 

County in Rawlins. The Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is a 35-bed acute 

care facility that offers a 24-hour fully staffed emergency room (Memorial 

Hospital of Carbon County, 2008). This hospital also provides the only full-time 

ambulance service in Carbon County. The hospital has five physicians and 105 

full-time equivalent employees. Rawlins also has a Public Health Department, 

Senior Citizens Center, South Central Wyoming Health Care and Rehabilitation, 

Senior Citizens apartment complex, and various private health care providers. No 

medical care is available in either Bairoil or Wamsutter. 

The only full-service regional hospital is also the largest acute care hospital in the 

State. Located in Casper, the Wyoming Medical Center is a 205-bed licensed 

regional medical center with 150 physicians and nearly 1,300 skilled staff 

(Wyoming Medical Center, 2010b). Its Level II Trauma Center operates 

Wyoming Life Flight, the only air ambulance program in the State. The Medical 

Center has undergone a five-stage $17 million construction project to renovate 

and expand the Emergency Room (Wyoming Medical Center, 2010a).

Casper also has the Wyoming Behavioral Institute, Mountain View Regional 

Hospital (neurosurgical and spine hospital), Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation 

Hospital, several specialty clinics, and two long-term care facilities. 

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3.14.5.3 Law Enforcement and Fire Protection 

Law enforcement for the Permit Area is primarily provided by the Bairoil Police 

Department, which consists of a police chief, one sergeant, and one part-time 

police officer. The department provides law enforcement for Bairoil and the 

surrounding unincorporated area under the jurisdiction of the Sweetwater County 

Sheriff’s Department. This area is 165 square miles and extends 20 miles west 

and 15 miles south of Bairoil. Fire protection is provided by the Bairoil 

Volunteer Fire Department, with a station in Bairoil. 

Law enforcement in the Wamsutter area is currently provided by the Sweetwater 

County Sheriff’s Department; a deputy patrols the town daily. Two Wyoming 

Highway Patrol officers also live in Wamsutter. Emergency response services are 

provided by 15 volunteer emergency medical technicians operating one 

ambulance and ten volunteer firefighters operating two fire trucks. 

The Carbon County Sheriff has an office and 74 jail beds in Rawlins, a substation 

in Medicine Bow, a deputy in Baggs, and a part-time deputy in Saratoga. The 

sheriff’s office has 17 patrol officers, 23 detention deputies, seven full-time and 

three part-time dispatchers, and 11 other support staff. The sheriff covers a 

service area of 8,000 square miles. Rawlins has a police department with one 

chief, two detectives, 12 patrol officers, and 19 additional staff employees. All 

law enforcement offices have 911 emergency telephone services. Fire protection 

is provided by the Rawlins Fire Department, which has eight paid staff and 15 

volunteers in the area. The fire department has two fire stations, a training center, 

five engines, a wildland engine, and a rescue truck. 

Casper’s Police Department has one chief with several administrative and support 

staff. It has two main operations divisions: the Patrol Division with 65 personnel 

and the Investigation Division with 18 personnel (City of Casper Police 

Department, 2009). The Patrol Division officers have specialized units, 

including, but not limited to, the Problem Oriented Response Team, Crime 

Prevention Team, school resource officers, K9 unit, Accident Investigation Team, 

bomb technicians, and Special Response Team. The Investigation Division is 

responsible for the following programs: Youth Diversion, Drug Court, Child 

Advocacy Program, Property Evidence, Victim Services, Crime Analysis, Internal 

Affairs, and the Central Wyoming Drug Task Force Officers. The Casper FireEMS Department has a total of five fire stations that employ more than 70 people 

trained as firefighters and as emergency medical technicians. 

3.14.5.4 Communications 

The local providers of telephone services are Century Link (formerly Qwest) in 

Bairoil, Wamsutter, Rawlins, and Casper, and Optimum (formerly Bresnan 

Communications) in Rawlins and Casper. Long-distance carriers include AT&T, 

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MCI, Sprint, and others. Digital switching and fiber-optic systems are available. 

Local internet access is provided Century Link, Optimum, and others. 

3.14.5.5 Utilities 

Wamsutter, Rawlins and Casper share the same electricity provider, Rocky 

Mountain Power. High Plains Power provides electricity service to Bairoil. 

Three natural gas companies provide services to the communities of interest: 

Source Gas (Bairoil, Rawlins, and Casper), Questar (Wamsutter), and Wyoming 

Community Gas (Casper). 

Bairoil and Wamsutter provide water and sewage services for residents and 

businesses. Wells supply the public drinking water at Bairoil and Wamsutter. 

Wamsutter has a landfill, with a transfer station in Bairoil. Rawlins and Casper 

provide water, sewer, landfill, and recycling services for residents and businesses. 

3.14.5.6 Recreation 

As discussed in Section 3.1, the Project region has abundant and diverse 

recreational opportunities, including historic and cultural sight-seeing, hiking, 

OHV use, winter recreation, and hunting. In addition to the recreational activities 

detailed in Section 3.1, the communities of interest provide other recreational 

activities. Bairoil, Wamsutter, Rawlins, and Casper all have libraries. Rawlins

has a recreation center (including a shooting range, fitness room, gymnasiums, 

and racquetball courts), a golf course, and three museums, and hosts Music in the 

Park. 

Casper offers a wide variety of recreation, including: hiking, skiing, and 

snowmobiling at Casper Mountain; fishing, swimming, and boating at Alcova 

Lake and Pathfinder Lake; music festivals, and theater performances. The city 

has an events center, 45 developed park areas, two public and two private golf 

courses, a community trail system, the Stuckenhoff Shooting Range, a 

planetarium, four museums, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, and 

the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Casper is also home to the Casper Ghosts (a 

Minor League Baseball team), the Wyoming Cavalry (a professional indoor 

football team), and the Casper College Thunderbirds. 

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3.15 Background Radiology 

Information on background radiological conditions in the Permit Area and 

surrounding region were obtained from Section 2.9 of the NRC Technical Report 

(LCI, 2010). General radiological conditions in the Western Wyoming region can 

be found in Section 3.2.11.1 of the NRC GEIS (NRC and WDEQ, 2009), and 

conditions in the Permit Area are also described in Section 3.12 of the NRC SEIS 

(NRC, 2011a). 

Baseline radiological information was collected within the Permit Area to 

document the pre-operation radiological environment. The baseline radiological 

measurements were performed to identify areas with anomalously high 

radiological activity; establish preliminary surface background radiological levels 

in soil, water, air, sediment, vegetation, and food resources; and provide source 

data for radiation dispersion and dose calculation modeling (Section 4.11). The 

results for all of these resources are included in this section, with the exception of 

the results for surface water and groundwater, which are included in Sections 3.5 

and 3.6, respectively. 

Sampling began with a permit-wide gamma radiation survey and associated 

shallow soil sampling to determine overall conditions. Monitoring equipment for 

collecting radon and gamma readings and air particulates over time was then 

installed based on NRC requirements, site knowledge, preliminary Project plans, 

and available meteorological data. Vegetation and additional shallow soil 

sampling was conducted to determine conditions in the vicinity of the Plant, along 

with sediment sampling in drainages and deeper soil sampling. Based on 

additional NRC requirements, more definitive Project plans, and updated 

modeling of potential exposures, some of the monitoring locations for radon and 

gamma were modified. 

3.15.1 Permit-Wide Gamma Radiation Survey and Initial Soil 

Sampling 

Radiological baseline studies in the Permit Area began in January 2006. As part 

of the studies, a radiological baseline survey of naturally occurring gamma 

exposure rates and soil radionuclide concentrations was performed. The survey 

and sampling methods and results are outlined below, and additional detail can be 

found in Section 2.9 of the NRC Technical Report (LCI, 2010). 

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July 2012

3.15.1.1 Methods 

To detect areas of anomalously high radiological activity on the surface, such as 

from a geologic outcrop or previous site activities, a gamma survey was 

conducted throughout the Permit Area. These measurements were correlated with 

gamma levels measured by High-Pressure Ionization Chambers (HPICs) levels 

and with radiation in soil samples. 

Gamma Survey 

The survey was conducted using sodium iodide (NaI) detectors (linked to data 

loggers and a GPS) to take hundreds of thousands of gamma measurements 

throughout the Permit Area. Given the rugged terrain, sagebrush vegetation and 

the large Permit Area, two-seater all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) (with roll-bar cages, 

conventional driver control systems, and extra-wide tires) were used to safely 

negotiate the Permit Area while minimizing environmental impacts (Figure 

3.15-1). 

Figure 3.15-1 Equipment Used for the Gamma Survey 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Three Ludlum 44-10 NaI gamma detectors and paired GPS receivers were 

mounted on the outriggers of each ATV. The detectors were coupled to Ludlum 

2350 rate meters housed in a cooler carried in the ATV cargo bed. Simultaneous 

GPS and gamma exposure rate data were recorded using an onboard personal 

computer (PC) with data acquisition software developed by Tetra Tech Inc. The 

vehicle speed while scanning ranged between 2 and 8 mph, depending on the 

roughness of the terrain, with an average speed of 4 to 5 mph. 

Data were downloaded daily into a Project database and mapped using Gamma 

Viewer software (Tetra Tech Inc., 2006). In addition to daily quality control (QC) 

measurements, daily scan results were evaluated in terms of general agreement 

between onboard detectors to help identify any problems that may have occurred 

during data acquisition throughout the day. Evaluation of updated gamma maps 

each day also helped in planning the next day’s scanning activities. 

After assessment of initial scanning results, a distance of 15 to 30 feet between 

the adjacent detectors in both vehicles was deemed practical and sufficient to 

resolve smaller-scale variability in the areas targeted for higher-density scanning 

coverage. This vehicle spacing provided an estimated effective ground scan 

coverage of 75 to 90 percent. The area of higher-density scanning covered the 

approximate location of primary subsurface ore deposits and probable area of 

operational facilities. However, for most areas of the Permit Area, a target 

distance of 300 feet between vehicles was a conservative goal employed during 

scanning, as this provides an estimated scan coverage of about 15 percent. 

Cross-Calibration between NaI Detectors and the HPIC 

Gamma exposure rates measured by NaI detectors are only relative 

measurements, as response characteristics of NaI detectors are energy dependent. 

True gamma exposure rates are best measured with an energy independent system 

such as an HPIC. Depending on the radiological characteristics of a given site, 

NaI detectors can have measurement values significantly higher than 

corresponding HPIC measurement values. NaI systems are useful for ISR sites 

because they can quickly and effectively demonstrate relative differences between 

pre- and post-ISR gamma exposure rate conditions. Unless the exact same 

equipment is used for both surveys; however, it is necessary to normalize the data 

to a common basis of comparison. This is the purpose of performing NaI/HPIC 

cross-calibration measurements. Cross-calibration insures that the results of 

future gamma scans, which are likely to use different detectors (and perhaps 

different detector models or technologies), can be meaningfully compared against 

the results of the pre-ISR baseline gamma surveys. 

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To perform NaI/HPIC cross-calibrations, static measurements were taken at 

various discrete locations covering a range of exposure rates representative of the 

Permit Area. Many locations were selectively chosen to be at or near earlier soil 

sampling grids for verification purposes. At each cross-calibration measurement 

location, ten to 20 individual HPIC readings were recorded and averaged. 

Initial ATV scanning in the Permit Area was conducted with the detectors set 

three feet above the ground surface until problems with the detector clearance 

necessitated a change to 4.5 feet. Cross-calibration between the HPIC and NaI 

detectors positioned at both three-foot and 4.5-foot detector heights was 

conducted, and regression coefficients for the calibration curves are similar to 

those measured at other uranium recovery sites and to other reported values 

(Ludlum, 2006; Schiager, 1972). For measured gamma values less than 25 

microRoentgens per hour (μR/hr), there was no evidence that readings from the 

two detector heights were different. For areas with measured values greater than 

25 μR/hr, the difference is proportional to the magnitude of exposure rate being 

measured. 

Soil Sampling and Gamma Correlation Grids 

Because of the high density of the gamma survey information (as compared to 

traditional methods for selecting soil sampling locations), the focus of the initial 

soil sampling was on developing a correlation between soil Ra-226 concentrations 

and gamma exposure rates. Depending on the statistical strength of any such 

relationship, the resulting correlation could be used to infer approximate Ra-226 

concentrations across the Permit Area based on the gamma survey results. 

Therefore, ten sampling locations were selected across the site at locations with 

relatively high and low gamma exposure rates. 

Soil sampling was conducted as composite sampling over 33-by-33 foot (ten-byten meter) grids. Within each grid, ten soil sub-samples were collected to a depth 

of six inches then composited into a single sample. GPS coordinates were taken 

at the center of each sampling grid and recorded. Samples were sent to Energy 

Laboratories Incorporated (ELI) in Casper, Wyoming, for analysis of radium-226 

(Ra-226), natural uranium (U-nat), thorium-230 (Th-230), and lead-210 (Pb-210). 

Each soil sampling grid was also scanned to determine the average gamma 

exposure rate over the same area, following methods described in Johnson et al. 

(2006). 

Data Quality Assurance and Quality Control 

Sources of gamma measurement uncertainty include instrument variability, spatial 

variability in gamma exposure rates (differences in readings due to small 

differences in the measurement location or geometry), and temporal variability in 

gamma exposure rates (differences over time due to changes in soil moisture, 

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barometric pressure, etc. that can affect ambient radon levels and/or photon 

attenuation characteristics of the soil profile). 

Data quality assurance (QA) and QC issues for the radiological surveys in the 

Permit Area were addressed in various ways. In general, QA includes qualitative 

factors that provide confidence in the results, while QC includes quantitative 

evidence that supports the accuracy and precision of results. Data QA factors 

included: extensive personnel experience and method peer review; proper 

equipment calibration; detailed sampling and analysis protocols; and proper 

documentation. Quantification of data QC for the Project included the following: 

instrument control charts; consistency reviews; re-scans; and sample duplicates 

and laboratory protocols. The QA and QC information for the gamma survey and 

initial soils sampling is described in detail in the Section 2.9 of the NRC 

Technical Report (LCI, 2010). 

3.15.1.2 Results 

Gamma Survey 

The gamma survey results in the Permit Area are shown in Figure 3.15-2.

Localized trends or ‘pockets’ of higher gamma activity are evident across the 

Permit Area. These areas may coincide with naturally occurring materials or with 

historic exploration activities. All final gamma survey data presented have been 

normalized to a three-foot HPIC equivalent to create a uniform final gamma 

baseline survey dataset of the Permit Area. A kriging program in ArcGIS was 

used to develop the continuous estimates of three-foot-HPIC-equivalent gamma 

exposure rates throughout the Permit Area shown on Figure 3.15-2.

Soil Sampling 

Overlays of soil sampling locations and baseline gamma survey results are shown 

on Figure 3.15-2. The soil sampling results for each of the ten sampling grids are 

included Table 3.15-1. A general relationship between gamma exposure rates 

and Ra-226 concentrations at the soil surface is visually apparent in Figure 

3.15-3, and statistical analysis demonstrated a significant linear relationship. Also 

shown in Figure 3.15-3 is another correlation developed for the nearby Lost 

Soldier study area that shares similar geophysical and geochemical soil 

characteristics. One data point for the Lost Creek correlation appears to be a mild 

outlier that increases the slope of the regression relative to that of the Lost Soldier 

study area. Without this data point, the two regressions are nearly identical, 

suggesting that the basic relationship between the gamma reading and the Ra-226 

concentration is reasonably consistent in this region of Wyoming. 

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Table 3.15-1 Soil and Sediment Sampling Results 

(Page 1 of 2) 

Sample ID and 

Depth Interval (inches) 

if not at Surface 

Ra-226

(pCi/g) 

U-nat

(mg/kg) 

Th-230

(pCi/g) 

Pb-210

(pCi/g) 

Mean 

Gamma 

Exposure 

Rate (μR/hr) 

Soil Sampling associated with Initial Gamma Survey (October 2006) 

LC-1 8.8 12.9 2.1 4.9 31.6

LC-2 4.1 2.9 1.0 0.6 23.4

LC-3 6.7 3.9 1.9 1.1 29.4

LC-4 5.9 4.4 0.8 0.4 28.6

LC-5 4.2 1.7 0.3 ND 0.1 23.2

LC-6 7.7 5.0 0.7 0.4 34.6

LC-7 7.8 6.5 1.5 0.4 33.4

LC-8 5.7 2.9 0.6 1.0 26.9

LC-9 4.6 1.6 0.4 ND 0.1 24.4

LC-10 1 4.7 1.7 ND 0.1 ND 0.1 24.4

4.8 NA NA NA 24.4

Soil Sampling associated with Vegetation Sampling (June 2009) 

LCSSURF-D 1 3.8 7.2 2.0 ND 1.9 34.6 4.2 7.1 3.1 2.3

LCSSURF-E 1.6 2.5 1.1 ND 1.7 28.9

LCSSURF-F 6.3 17.5 4.0 ND 1.8 45.2

LCSSURF-G 6.5 23.6 5.2 ND 1.4 48.2

LCSSURF-H 1.7 2.6 0.9 ND 1.3 27.6

LCSSURF-I 3.8 4.1 2.1 2.9 38.9

LCSSURF-J 1.3 2.1 0.8 ND 1.6 26.3

Soil Profile Sampling (September & December 2008) 

LCDS-C

(MU1PR33) 2

0-12 1.7 1.08 0.5 ND 0.7 --

12-33 2.3 2.14 1.3 ND 1.8 --

33-60 2.8 0.52 2.7 4.2 --

LCDS-CE

MU1PR35 2

0-8 2.1 3.37 1.3 ND 0.8 --

8-18 2.1 2.17 1.3 ND 0.4 --

18-34 1.7 1.49 1.6 ND 1.5 --

34-48 1.2 3.72 1.9 ND 0.9 --

LCDS-N 2

0-24 1.5 2.19 1.0 ND 0.7 --

24-33 1.0 1.77 0.8 ND 0.9 --

33-40 1.1 4.84 1.4 ND 1.4 --

LCDS-E 2 0-8 2 1.2 2.9 0.1 ND 2.1 --0.7 1.3 0.4 ND 2.0 --

8-40 0.8 2.71 0.9 ND 1.9 --

LSDS-S

MU1PR23 2

0-10 1.9 0.57 0.8 ND 3.2 --

10-60 1.2 1.55 0.6 ND 1.8 --

LCDS-W 2

0-21 1.5 2.53 1.1 ND 1.1 --

21-31 1.2 1.79 1.1 ND 1.0 --

31-40 1.4 3.01 0.6 ND 1.0 --

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.15-7 

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.15-1 Soil and Sediment Sampling Results (Page 2 of 2) 

Sample ID & 

Depth Interval (inches) 

if not at Surface 

Ra-226

(pCi/g) 

U-nat

(mg/kg) 

Th-230

(pCi/g) 

Pb-210

(pCi/g) 

Mean 

Gamma 

Exposure 

Rate (μR/hr) 

Stream Sediment Sampling (December 2008) 

LCSS-1 1.3 2.7 1.2 ND 1.6 --

LCSS-2 0.3 1.1 ND 0.1 ND 1.2 --

LCSS-3 1.0 2.0 ND 0.1 ND 3.2 --

LCSS-4 1.2 2.2 1.5 ND 0.2 --

LCSS-5 0.6 1.2 0.2 ND 1.0 --

LCSS-6 1.2 5.0 2.5 ND 2.4 --

LCSS-7 ND 0.05 1.0 1.3 ND 2.0 --

Pond at BLM Well No. 4551 (July 2010) 

Sediment -- 11.8 -- -- --

“--“ indicates not analyzed; mg/kg = milligrams per kilogram; ND = Not Detected at indicated 

limit; pCi/g = picoCuries per gram 1 Duplicate analysis 

2 Locations LCDS-C, N, E, and W are in Pepal Sandy Loam; Location LCDS-CE is in Poposhia 

Loam; and Location LCDS-S is in Teagulf Sandy Loam. Locations LCDS-C, LCDS-CE, and 

LCDS-S coincide with topsoil suitability soil sampling locations MU1PR33, MU1PR35, and 

MU1PR23, respectively, which are shown in Figures 3.4-3 and 3.4.4.

Figure 3.15-3 Correlation of Gamma Scan and Soil Sampling 

Results

3.15-8 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.15.2 Radon, Passive Gamma, and Radiological Air Particulate 

Monitoring 

3.15.2.1 Radon and Passive Gamma Monitoring 

Radon gas measurements have been made using Landauer Radtrak® long-term 

radon monitors equipped with a thoron-proof filter in order to measure radon-222, 

only, and X9 Environmental/Low Level Dosimetry badges manufactured by 

Landauer, Inc. were used to measure gamma levels in the air (Figure 3.15-4).

Monitoring began in 2006. Sampling locations were based on NRC requirements, 

site knowledge, preliminary Project plans, and available meteorological data 

(Figure 3.15-5). Results of the monitoring are shown in Table 3.15-2. The

locations were at: the closest full-time residence, in Bairoil, (URPA1 [Ur-Energy 

Passive Air 1]); the western, upwind site boundary (URPA7); the southeastern site 

boundary (URPA8); the northeastern, downwind site boundary (URPA10); and 

the center of the site, coinciding with the ore trend (URPA9). Another site 

(URPA13) was added after the first quarter to reflect changes to the proposed 

Permit Area. Two locations (URPA1 and UPRPA10) coincided with highvolume radiological particulate sampling locations (HV-1 and HV-4, 

respectively). Based on further NRC review, more definitive Project plans, and 

updated modeling of potential radiation dispersion, additional radon and gamma 

monitoring stations were installed and the equipment replaced at previous 

stations. A station was established next to each of the five air particulate 

samplers, and four new stations were established on the Permit Area boundary. 

Three stations were also placed near the Plant, at locations where potential 

radiological impacts are predicted to be highest (Section 4.17).

Figure 3.15-4 Equipment for Radon and Gamma Monitoring 

(Location PR-2) and HiVol Particulate Sampling (Location HV-3)

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.15-9 

July 2012 
-

–-–
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.15-2 Radon and Gamma Results 

(Page 1 of 2) 

Radon and 

Gamma 

Monitoring 

Location 1

Associated 

HiVol 

Location 

Period 2

Radon222

(pCi/L)

Radon-222

Exposure 

(pCi/L-days) 

Gamma 

Exposure 

(millirems) 

Gamma 

Exposure Rate 

(millirems/day) 

URPA1 

(Bairoil) 

HV-1

Q1 0.5 50.3 11.3 0.12

Q2 0.3 22.5 16.9 0.20

Q3 0.9 90.5 18.6 0.19

Q4 0.6 58.9 44.2 0.43

Q5 0.8 89.1 23.0 0.20

PR-1

2ndQ1 1.3 96.3 9.9 0.13

2ndQ2 3.4 339.0 20.8 0.21

2ndQ3 0.4 36.3 17 0.20

PR-2 HV-3 2ndQ2 3 5.7 564.1 18.5 0.19

2ndQ3 0.9 75.6 41.6 0.50

PR-3 HV-5

2ndQ1 1.5 116.9 18.4 0.24

2ndQ2 4.1 404.8 28.5 0.29

2ndQ3 0.5 44.9 40.3 0.39

PR-4

2ndQ1 1.5 114.9 16.5 0.21

2ndQ2 4.5 446.6 39.3 0.4

2ndQ3 0.9 94.7 22.4 0.22

PR-5 HV-2

2ndQ1 1.6 126.2 16.7 0.22

2ndQ2 4.4 439.4 57.9 0.58

2ndQ3 0.8 64.0 NA NA

PR-6

2ndQ1 1.3 96.3 14.5 0.19

2ndQ2 3.1 302.6 28.0 0.28

2ndQ3 0.5 54.4 22.2 0.22

URPA7 

(W of LC) 

Q1 1.5 147.6 33.0 0.34

Q2 0.7 56.3 23.2 0.28

Q3 1.6 153.7 41.7 0.43

Q4 4 2.8 297.6 53.6 0.51

PR-7

2ndQ1 1.7 130.4 25.0 0.32

2ndQ2 3.2 319.7 30.6 0.31

2ndQ3 0.9 95.8 21.8 0.21

URPA8 

(SE of LC) 

Q1 2.7 258.4 13.6 0.14

Q2 1.3 108.1 23.4 0.28

Q3 2.1 203.1 38.2 0.39

Q4 4 3.2 331.3 69.6 0.66

PR-8

2ndQ1 2.1 160.4 15.1 0.20

2ndQ2 3.7 362.2 34.3 0.35

2ndQ3 1.6 167.1 30.3 0.29

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.15-11

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.15-2 Radon and Gamma Results (Page 2 of 2)

Radon and 

Gamma 

Monitoring 

Location 1

Associated 

HiVol 

Location 

Period 2

Radon222

(pCi/L)

Radon-222

Exposure 

(pCi/L-days) 

Gamma 

Exposure 

(millirems) 

Gamma 

Exposure Rate 

(millirems/day) 

URPA9 

(Central 

LC)

Q1 3.8 5 370.6 23.7 0.24

Q2 0.8 67.5 18.0 0.21

Q3 1.5 148.8 42.1 0.43

Q4 2.8 295.2 67.4 0.64

Q5 1.7 184.8 20.7 0.18

PR-9

2ndQ1 1.5 113.8 20.4 0.26

2ndQ2 3.2 312.7 30.9 0.31

2ndQ3 4 10.2 1048.4 32.3 0.38

URPA10 

(NE of LC) HV-4

PR13 

Q1 2.1 201.7 24.4 0.25

Q2 1.2 100.7 NA6 NA6

Q3 1.8 173.2 50.4 0.52

Q4 1.0 100.4 55.3 0.53

Q5 2.0 206.9 32.6 0.29

PR-10

2ndQ1 1.7 128.3 29.6 0.38

2ndQ2 3.0 294.5 28.5 0.29

2ndQ3 1.2 97.9 16.9 0.16

URPA13 

(SE of new 

LC)

HV4 

Q2 7 2.0 167.2 25.6 0.30

Q3 1.5 146.8 24.8 0.26

Q4 2.5 259.2 42.6 0.41

Q5 2.7 290.9 37.7 0.37

PR-11 

& PR-13

(duplicates) 

2ndQ1 1.8 136.6 17.6 0.23

1.4 110.7 25.8 0.34

2ndQ2 3.6 359.2 49.0 0.49

3.7 366.3 33.3 0.34

2ndQ3 1.1 111.7 19.2 0.17

1.0 86.2 26.1 0.31

PR-12

2ndQ1 NA 8 NA 8 11.2 0.15

2ndQ2 3.1 303.6 29.1 0.29

2ndQ3 NA 91.5 25.2 0.30

NA = not analyzed 

1 UPRA refers to radon and passive gamma monitoring locations established in 2006; PR refers to radon and passive 

gamma monitoring locations established in 2010; HV refers to high-volume radiological particulate samplers. The 

radon and gamma monitoring quarters do not cover exactly the same time spans as the HiVol particulate samplers, 

but there is some overlap. 2 Beginning dates: Q1 on 11/10/06; Q2 on 2/15/07; Q3 on 5/10/07; Q4 on 8/16/07; Q5 on 11/28/07. Sampling 

concluded: 3/14/08. Sampling restarted with 2nd Q1 on 4/21/2010; 2nd Q2 on 7/7/2010; 2nd Q3 on 10/24/2010. 

Ending date corresponds to beginning date of next quarter; 2nd Q3 for PR-1, 2, 5, 9, and 12 ended on 1/6/2011 and 

for all others ended on 1/25/2011 (bad weather). 3 Dosimeter not deployed until 2nd Q2 because only 12 dosimeters available in 1st Q2, rather than the 13 needed, and 

duplicate considered more important. 4 Elevated reading may be due to the fact that the sensor was buried in a snow drift when recovered. 

5 No 5th quarter data collected at this site. 

6 Sensor missing; new sensor installed for the next quarter. 

7 No data available for first quarter due to later installation of monitoring equipment. 8 Cows knocked over sensor sometime during the quarter. 

3.15-12 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.15.2.2 Radiological Air Particulate Monitoring 

LCI began collection of air particulate samples for radiological parameters in 

November 2007. Five sites were selected in November 2007 based on NRC 

requirements, site knowledge, and available meteorological data. Sampling 

locations and equipment are shown in Figure 3.15-4 and Figure 3.15-5,

respectively. 

Per Section C.1.1.1 of Regulatory Guide 4.14 (NRC Office of Standards 

Development, 1980), the air particulate sampling should include “a minimum of 

three locations at or near the site boundary”. LCI installed five air particulate 

samplers, including three samplers (HV-3, HV-4, and HV-5) at the site 

boundaries. The guidance also indicates that one sampling location should be 

representative of background conditions. Site HV-3 is representative of 

background conditions, because it is the location furthest from the Plant (over two 

miles) and the mine units (over one mile) in a westerly, generally upwind, 

direction. The guideline also indicates a sampling location should be positioned 

as closely as possible to the area where airborne radionuclide concentrations 

related to the ISR operation are predicted to be the highest; therefore, Site HV-2

was located immediately downwind of the ten-acre Plant site. Site HV-4 was 

placed at the eastern Permit Area boundary, generally downwind of the Plant and 

all the mine units. Site HV-5 was located at a Permit Area boundary, less than 

one mile northwest (generally upwind) of the Plant and mine units. Based on 

further NRC review, more definitive Project plans, and updated modeling of 

potential exposures, these sampling locations were confirmed as representative of 

background and the potential range of Project impacts. 

Composite quarterly samples were analyzed for U-nat, Th-230, Ra-226, and Pb210. The analytical results are included as Table 3.15-3. All of the analytical 

results were either non-detect or less than four percent of the respective effluent 

concentration limit from Appendix B of 10 CFR 20. 

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.15-13

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.15-3 Air Particulate Results 

(Page 1 of 2) 

Location 

Associated Radon 

and Gamma 

Monitor Location 1

Period 2 U-nat

(μCi/L) 

Th-230

(μCi/L) 

Ra-226

(μCi/L) 

Pb-210

(μCi/L) 

HV1 

(Bairoil) 

URPA1 

Q1 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 2.86E-16 1.78E-14

Q2 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 6.81E-15

Q3 5.61E-16 1.95E-16 5.00E-17 2.22E-14

Q4 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.69E-14

Q5 5.00E-17 2.28E-16 5.00E-17 1.11E-14

Q6 5.00E-17 1.15E-16 5.00E-17 1.05E-14

Q7 1.98E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 8.20E-15

Q8 2.78E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.02E-14

Q9 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.23E-16 1.82E-14

PR-1

Q10 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 6.62E-15

Q11 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-15

Q12 5.00E-17 1.34E-16 1.07E-16 1.00E-14

HV2 

Q1 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 2.34E-16 1.53E-14

Q2 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 3.02E-15

Q3 1.48E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.62E-14

Q4 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.62E-14

Q5 1.55E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.15E-14

Q6 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.15E-14

Q7 1.21E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 9.43E-15

Q8 1.90E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.86E-14

Q9 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 2.00E-16 1.97E-14

Q10 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 8.13E-15

Q11 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 9.70E-15

Q12 5.00E-17 1.24E-16 5.00E-17 1.21E-14

HV3 

Q1 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 2.23E-15 1.31E-14

Q2 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.01E-15

Q3 1.18E-16 2.59E-16 5.00E-17 1.41E-14

Q4 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.91E-14

Q5 1.48E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.67E-14

Q6 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.12E-14

Q7 1.44E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.38E-14

Q8 1.53E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.41E-14

Q9 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.89E-16 1.98E-14

Q10 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 7.82E-15

Q11 5.00E-17 1.03E-16 5.00E-17 8.80E-15

Q12 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.65E-16 1.30E-14

3.15-14 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.15-3 Air Particulate Results (Page 2 of 2)

Location 

Associated Radon 

and Gamma 

Monitor Location 1

Period 2 U-nat

(μCi/L) 

Th-230

(μCi/L) 

Ra-226

(μCi/L) 

Pb-210

(μCi/L) 

HV4 

Q1 5.00E-17 1.62E-16 3.51E-16 2.38E-14

Q2 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 9.24E-15

Q3 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.95E-14

Q4 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.72E-14

Q5 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.57E-14

Q6 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.11E-14

Q7 1.29E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.30E-14

Q8 3.45E-16 1.94E-16 5.00E-17 1.42E-14

Q9 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.66E-14

Q10 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 7.57E-15

Q11 5.00E-17 1.09E-16 5.00E-17 1.15E-14

Q12 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.22E-14

HV5 

Q1 5.00E-17 2.38E-16 2.91E-16 1.81E-14

Q2 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.28E-15

Q3 2.21E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.51E-14

Q4 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 2.31E-14

Q5 1.36E-16 2.01E-16 5.00E-17 1.05E-14

Q6 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 9.53E-15

Q7 1.56E-16 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 7.16E-15

Q8 4.89E-16 1.58E-16 5.00E-17 1.05E-14

Q9 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.89E-14

Q10 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 6.88E-15

Q11 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.11E-14

Q12 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 5.00E-17 1.15E-14 1 UPRA refers to radon and passive gamma monitoring locations established in 2006; PR refers to 

radon and passive gamma monitoring locations established in 2010. The radon and gamma 

monitoring quarters do not cover exactly the same time spans as the HiVol particulate samplers, but 

there is some overlap. 2 Beginning dates: Q1 on 11/30/07; Q2 on 3/1/2008 or 3/8/2008 (bad weather); Q3 on 6/5/2008; Q4 on 

8/29/08; Q5 on 12/2/2008; Q6 on 3/19/2009; Q7 on 6/15/2009; Q8 on 9/18/2009; Q9 on 

12/16/2009; Q10 on 3/30/2010; Q11 on 6/18/2010; and Q12 on 9/29/2010. End date corresponds to 

beginning date of next quarter; Q12 ended on 12/21/2010. 

FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 3.15-15

July 2012 
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.15.3 Additional Radiological Studies 

Additional soils samples, as well as samples of water, vegetation, sediment, and 

food resources were collected for evaluation of baseline conditions. The surface 

water and groundwater sampling results are included in Sections 3.5 and 3.6,

respectively. The sampling results of the other media are presented below. 

3.15.3.1 Vegetation and Associated Surface Soil Sampling 

In July and August 2008, vegetation was sampled at three locations downwind (to 

the east and southeast) of the Plant, where radiation dispersion might occur 

(Figure 3.15-6). Samples were analyzed for U-nat, Ra-226, Th-230, Pb-210, and 

polonium-210 (Po-210). The sampling results for Sites A, B, and C are included 

in Table 3.15-4. Subsequent to this sampling, LCI conducted additional radiation 

dispersion and dose calculation modeling, and in the summer of 2009, collected 

additional vegetation samples from sites that would be subject to maximum radon 

daughter deposition according to the results of that modeling. Vegetation samples 

were also collected from sites within the Permit Area with high and low gamma 

activity, according to the baseline gamma scan. These sampling results are also 

included in Table 3.15-4, and the site designations are: 

x Sites D and E: where total ground concentrations were predicted to be the 

greatest during operations, based on the 2009 ‘near-Plant’ MILDOS 

analysis; 

x Sites F, G, H, and I: each had a different gamma activity; and 

x Site J: where the baseline direct gamma scan survey indicated 

comparatively low gamma activity that is upwind of the Plant and where 

Project-related radon deposition is expected to be low or non-existent. 

Soil samples were also collected at the 2009 vegetation sampling sites and 

analyzed for U-nat, Ra-226, Th-230, and Pb-210. The results are included in 

Table 3.15-1.

3.15.3.2 Soil Profile Sampling 

Six sites were selected for soil profile sampling, i.e., sampling at depth as well as 

at the surface, at the locations shown in Figure 3.15-7. In accordance with 

Regulatory Guide 4.14 (NRC Office of Standards Development, 1980), one 

sampling site was placed near the center of the Plant, with four additional sites 

approximately 2,500 feet away, in each of the cardinal directions. A detailed soil 

survey had identified three soil types in the Permit Area (Section 3.4); therefore, 

an additional sampling site was selected approximately 500 feet east of the Plant, 

so all three soil types were represented. Depending on the soil profile, two to four 

samples were collected at each site, to a minimum depth of 40 inches. Samples 

were analyzed for U-nat, Ra-226, Th-230, and Pb-210. Analytical results from 

soil profile sampling are included in Table 3.15-1.

3.15-16 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
–

-–-
3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

Table 3.15-4 Vegetation Sampling Results 

Location Date Ra-226

(μCi/kg) 

U-nat

(mg/kg) 

Th-230

(μCi/kg) 

Pb-210

(μCi/kg) 

Po-210

(μCi/kg) 

LCVEGRAD-A

7/17/2008 8.3E-05 0.760 1.6E-05 1.5E-03 7.2E-05

8/4/2008 7.5E-05 0.080 1.4E-05 <6.5E-04 3.5E-05

8/20/2008 1.5E-04 0.110 2.8E-05 6.9E-04 1.0E-04

LCVEGRAD-B

7/17/2008 7.1E-05 0.170 2.2E-05 1.9E-03 3.5E-05

8/4/2008 1.5E-04 0.060 2.4E-05 9.0E-04 6.8E-05

8/20/2008 1.6E-04 0.060 3.4E-05 1.0E-03 8.0E-05

LCVEGRAD-C

7/17/2008 1.5E-04 0.200 3.2E-05 8.9E-04 3.2E-05

8/4/2008 1.5E-04 0.090 3.9E-05 <6.2E-04 3.5E-05

8/20/2008 1.3E-04 0.080 1.9E-05 7.9E-04 9.7E-05

LCVEGRAD-D

6/24/2009 5.4E-05 0.029 1.5E-05 3.1E-04 1.4E-05

7/10/2009 8.8E-05 0.029 7.0E-06 3.7E-04 7.0E-06

7/29/2009 1.4E-04 0.053 2.7E-05 5.2E-04 2.3E-05

LCVEGRAD-E

6/24/2009 5.4E-05 0.019 6.4E-06 2.8E-04 1.4E-05

7/10/2009 7.1E-05 0.023 8.8E-06 3.3E-04 1.5E-05

7/29/2009 9.9E-05 0.033 1.7E-05 2.8E-04 1.6E-05

LCVEGRAD-F

6/25/2009 9.3E-05 0.051 2.1E-05 2.0E-04 1.1E-05

7/9/2009 8.9E-05 0.029 1.1E-05 2.2E-04 6.0E-06

7/28/2009 2.4E-04 0.078 2.3E-05 3.1E-04 7.3E-06

LCVEGRAD-G

6/25/2009 1.1E-04 0.028 1.7E-05 6.3E-04 5.3E-06

7/9/2009 2.1E-04 0.066 2.6E-05 7.8E-04 1.2E-05

7/28/2009 5.5E-04 0.150 7.1E-05 1.5E-03 2.7E-05

LCVEGRAD-H

6/25/2009 7.1E-05 0.025 9.2E-06 1.2E-04 2.8E-06

7/9/2009 1.6E-04 0.059 1.6E-05 2.9E-04 5.2E-06

7/28/2009 1.1E-04 0.040 2.0E-05 2.4E-04 1.1E-05

LCVEGRAD-I

6/25/2009 9.0E-05 0.029 2.5E-05 3.6E-04 1.1E-05

7/9/2009 1.6E-04 0.027 2.2E-05 4.8E-04 1.1E-05

7/28/2009 1.5E-04 0.029 2.0E-05 7.2E-04 3.3E-05

LCVEGRAD-J

6/24/2009 6.9E-05 0.038 1.6E-05 3.7E-04 2.9E-05

7/10/2009 1.6E-04 0.140 3.5E-05 7.6E-04 9.1E-06

7/29/2009 6.7E-05 0.033 1.6E-05 6.5E-04 2.0E-05

μCi/kg = microCuries per kilogram 

3.15-18 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
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3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

3.15.3.3 Sediment Sampling 

In accordance with Regulatory Guide 4.14 (NRC Office of Standards 

Development, 1980), sediment samples were collected from sites at the upstream 

and downstream Permit Area boundaries (Figure 3.15-8) in December 2008. 

Sediment samples were analyzed for U-nat, Ra-226, Th-230, and Pb-210. 

Analytical results from sediment sampling are presented in Table 3.15-1.

Regulatory Guide 4.14 (NRC Office of Standards Development, 1980) also 

recommends sampling sediment from any impoundments that could receive 

contaminated surface waters. The only on-site impoundment, Crooked Well 

Reservoir, is located upstream of any Project activities (Figure 3.5-1). There are 

four additional ‘stock ponds’ in the vicinity of the Permit Area, each associated 

with a groundwater right, as shown in Figure 3.6-16. None of these is subject to 

drainage from potentially contaminated areas. 

As discussed in Section 3.5.2, BLM Battle Springs Draw Well No. 4451 was 

improved by the BLM for stock use between November 2007 and April 2009. To 

determine baseline conditions in the new pond adjacent to the well, the pond 

sediment was sampled in July 2010. The uranium concentration was 11.8 mg/kg 

U-nat (Table 3.15-1).

3.15.3.4 Food and Fish Sampling 

There is no crop production near the Permit Area, no perennial surface water to 

sustain fish, and very limited use of the Permit Area for cattle grazing. However, 

in accordance with Regulatory Guide 4.14 (NRC Office of Standards 

Development, 1980), tissue samples were collected at the time of slaughter in fall 

2008 and fall 2009 from cattle with access to grazing fodder within 1.9 miles 

(three kilometers) of the Plant site. Samples of meat (muscle tissue), kidney, and 

bone were analyzed for U-nat, Ra-226, Th-230, Pb-210, and Po-210. A liver 

sample was also analyzed in 2009. Analytical results are included in Table

3.15-5.

As noted above, BLM Battle Springs Draw Well No. 4451 was improved between 

2007 and 2009, and a new pond was created adjacent to the well. Along with the 

well water and the pond sediment, the algae in the pond were sampled in July 

2010. The uranium concentration was 112 mg/kg U-nat (Table 3.6-7).

3.15-20 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012 
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Table 3.15-5 Tissue Sam

plin

g Results 

3.15-22 FINAL EIS – LOST CREEK URANIUM IN-SITU RECOVERY PROJECT – VOLUME I 

July 2012