DOE/NV/25946--1067-SUM
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the Nevada Test Site Environmental Report 2009 (DOE/NV/25946--1067). 

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For more information about the Nevada Test Site Environmental Report, 

New Name for the contact Pete Sanders at (702) 295-1037 or sanders@nv.doe.gov.

Nevada Test Site

On August 23, 2010, the U.S. Department 

of Energy, National Nuclear Security 

Administration announced the renaming of 

the Nevada Test Site to the Nevada National 

Security Site. Because this document reports 

on calendar year 2009 activities, the Nevada 

Test Site name has not been changed. Next 

year’s report will be titled the Nevada National 

Security Site Environmental Report.

Work performed under contract number:

DE-AC52-06NA25946 

This report was prepared for:

U.S. Department of Energy

National Nuclear Security Administration

Nevada Site Office

By:

National Security Technologies, LLC

P.O. Box 98521

Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8521
1

The U.S. Department of Energy, 

National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Offi ce (NNSA/

NSO) directs the management and 

operation of the Nevada Test Site 

(NTS). NNSA/NSO prepares the 

Nevada Test Site Environmental 

Report (NTSER) to provide the public an understanding of the environmental monitoring and compliance 

activities that are conducted on the 

NTS to protect the public and the 

environment from radiation hazards 

and from nonradiological impacts. 

The NTSER is a comprehensive 

report of environmental activities 

performed at the NTS and offsite 

facilities over the previous calendar 

year. It is prepared annually to meet 

the requirements and guidelines 

Nevada Test Site

Environmental Report Summary 2009

of the U.S. Department of Energy 

(DOE) and the information needs of 

NNSA/NSO stakeholders. This summary provides an abbreviated and 

more readable version of the NTSER. 

It does not contain detailed descriptions or presentations of monitoring 

designs, data collection methods, 

data tables, the NTS environment, or 

all environmental program activities 

performed throughout the year. 

The reader is provided with an 

electronic fi le of the full NTSER and 

of Attachment A: Nevada Test Site 

Description (see attached compact 

disc on the inside back cover). The 

reader may obtain a hard copy of the 

full NTSER as directed on the inside 

front cover of this summary report. 

The NTS was the nation’s testing 

site for nuclear weapons from 1951 

through 1992 and is currently the 

nation’s unique site for ongoing 

national security–related missions 

and high-risk operations. The NTS is 

located about 65 miles northwest of 

Las Vegas. The approximately 1,375-

square mile site is one of the largest 

restricted access areas in the United 

States. It is surrounded by federal 

installations with strictly controlled 

access as well as by lands that are 

open to public entry.

Prickly pear cactus

(Opuntia species)
2

Between 1940 and 1950, the area now 

known as the NTS was part of the 

Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery 

Range. In 1950, the NTS was 

established as the primary location 

for testing the nation’s nuclear explosive devices. Such testing took place 

from 1951 to 1992. 

Tests conducted through the 1950s 

were predominantly atmospheric 

tests. These involved a nuclear 

explosive device detonated while 

either on the ground surface, on a 

steel tower, suspended from tethered 

balloons, dropped from an aircraft, or 

placed on a rocket. Several tests were 

categorized as “safety experiments” 

and “storage-transportation tests,” 

involving the destruction of a nuclear 

device with non-nuclear explosives. 

Some of these tests resulted in dispersion of plutonium in the test vicinity. 

One of these test areas, Project 57, 

lies just north of the NTS boundary on the Nevada Test and Training 

Range (NTTR). Other tests, involving 

storage-transportation, were conducted at the north end of the NTTR 

(Double Tracks) and on the Tonopah 

Test Range (TTR) (Clean Slates I, II, 

and III). All nuclear device tests are 

listed in United States Nuclear Tests, 

July 1945 through September 1992

(U.S. Department of Energy, 

Nevada Operations Offi ce, 2000, 

DOE/NV--209, Rev. 15).

The fi rst underground test, a cratering test, was conducted in 1951. The 

fi rst totally contained underground 

test was in 1957. Testing was discontinued during a moratorium that 

began October 31, 1958, but was 

resumed in September 1961 after 

tests by the Union of Soviet Socialist 

Republics began. Beginning in late 

1962, nearly all tests were conducted 

in sealed vertical shafts drilled into 

Yucca Flat and Pahute Mesa or in 

horizontal tunnels mined into Rainier 

Mesa. From 1951 to 1992, a total of 

828 underground nuclear tests were 

conducted at the NTS. Approximately 

one-third of these tests were detonated near on in the saturated zone. 

Five earth-cratering (shallow-burial) 

tests were conducted over the period 

of 1962 through 1968 as part of the 

Plowshare Program that explored 

peaceful uses of nuclear explosives. 

The fi rst and highest yield Plowshare 

crater test, Sedan, was detonated at 

the northern end of Yucca Flat on the 

NTS. The second-highest yield crater 

test was Schooner, located in the 

northwest corner of the NTS. Mixed 

fi ssion products, tritium, and plutonium from these tests were entrained in 

the soil, ejected from the craters, and 

deposited on the ground surrounding 

the craters.

Other nuclear-related experiments 

at the NTS included the Bare 

Reactor Experiment–Nevada 

NTS History

series in the 1960s. These tests were 

performed with a 14-million electron 

volt neutron generator mounted on a 

1,527-foot steel tower used to conduct 

neutron and gamma-ray interaction 

studies on various materials and 

assess radiation doses experienced 

by the nuclear bomb survivors of 

Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In addition, from 1959 through 1973 a series 

of open-air nuclear reactor, nuclear 

engine, and nuclear furnace tests was 

conducted in Area 25, and a series 

of tests with a nuclear ramjet engine 

was conducted in Area 26. The tests 

released mostly gaseous radioactivity 

(radio-iodines, radio-xenons, radiokryptons) and some fuel particles. 

These releases resulted in negligible 

deposition on the ground.

NTS - Continental Test Site

After the end of World War II, the United States tested nuclear weapons 

at Bikini Atoll and Enewetak in the Marshall Islands of the Central Pacifi c. 

In June 1950, with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea and U.S. relations 

with the Soviet Union continuing to deteriorate, the search began for a continental test site to overcome the diffi culties with remoteness and security 

experienced with testing in the Pacifi c. The fi nal choices included Dugway 

Proving Ground–Wendover Bombing Range in western Utah, AlamagordoWhite Sands Guided Missile Range in south-central New Mexico, and a 

North Site and a South Site on the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range 

in southern Nevada. 

On December 18, 1950, President Truman approved the recommendations of Los Alamos testing offi cials and the Atomic Energy Commission, 

christening the South Site on the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range 

as the nation’s continental test site. It was called the Nevada Proving Ground. 

On January 27, 1951, an Air Force B-50D bomber dropped a 

1 kiloton yield nuclear bomb over Frenchman Flat. It was the world’s tenth 

nuclear detonation and was the fi rst NTS test. 

On September 23, 1992, the last underground nuclear test was 

conducted on the NTS after which Congress imposed a moratorium on 

nuclear weapons testing. 

Since 1951, a total of 100 atmospheric and 828 underground nuclear 

weapons tests were conducted at the NTS.

Source: T. R. Fehner and F. G. Gosling, 2000. Origins of the Nevada Test Site, DOE/MA-0518, History Division, 

Executive Secretariat, Management and Administration, U.S. Department of Energy.
3

Historical Nuclear Testing Areas On and Adjacent to the NTS
4

Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, and 

Sandia National Laboratories are the 

principal organizations that sponsor 

and implement experimental programs 

at the NTS. The three major NTS 

missions include National Security/

Defense, Environmental Management, 

and Nondefense. During the conduct 

of all missions and their programs, 

NNSA/NSO complies with applicable environmental and public health 

protection regulations and strives to 

manage the land and facilities at the 

NTS as a unique and valuable national 

resource. In 2009, National Security 

Technologies, LLC (NSTec), was the 

Management and Operations contractor 

accountable for the successful execution 

of work and ensuring that work was 

performed in compliance with 

environmental regulations.

NTS activities in 2009 continued to 

be diverse, with the primary goal to 

ensure that the existing U.S. stockpile 

of nuclear weapons remains safe and 

reliable. Other NTS activities include 

demilitarization activities; controlled 

spills of hazardous material at the Nonproliferation Test and Evaluation Complex (NPTEC); remediation of legacy 

contamination sites; characterizing of 

waste destined for the Waste Isolation 

Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico, or 

the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho 

Falls, Idaho; disposal of radioactive 

and mixed waste; and environmental 

research. Facilities that support the 

National Security/Defense mission 

include the U1a Facility, Big Explosives Experimental Facility (BEEF), 

Device Assembly Facility (DAF), Joint 

Actinide Shock Physics Experimental 

Research (JASPER) Facility, and the 

Radiological/Nuclear Countermeasures Test and Evaluation Complex 

(RNCTEC). Facilities that support the 

Environmental Management mission 

include the Area 5 Radioactive Waste 

Management Complex (RWMC) and 

the Area 3 Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS), which has been in 

cold stand-by since 2006. 

The NTS Now NTS Missions and Their Programs

National Security/Defense

Stockpile Stewardship and Management Program – Conducts 

high-hazard operations in support of defense-related nuclear and 

national security experiments. 

Nuclear Emergency Response, Nonproliferation, and 

Counterterrorism Programs – Provides support facilities, training 

facilities, and capabilities for government agencies involved in 

emergency response, nonproliferation technology development, 

national security technology 

development, and 

counterterrorism activities.

Work for Others Program 

– Provides support facilities 

and capabilities for other 

agencies/organizations 

involved in defense–related 

activities. 

Environmental 

Management

Environmental Restoration 

Program – Characterizes 

and remediates the 

environmental legacy of 

nuclear weapons and other testing at the NTS and NTTR locations, 

and develops and deploys technologies that enhance environmental 

restoration.

Waste Management Program – Manages and safely disposes of lowlevel waste and mixed low-level waste received from DOE- and U.S. 

Department of Defense (DoD)-approved facilities throughout the U.S. 

and wastes generated in Nevada by NNSA/NSO. Safely manages and 

characterizes hazardous and transuranic wastes for offsite disposal.

Nondefense

Infrastructure Program – Maintains the buildings, roads, utilities, and 

facilities required to support all NTS programs and to provide a safe 

environment for NTS workers.

Conservation and Renewable Energy Programs – Operates the 

pollution prevention program and supports renewable energy and 

conservation initiatives at the NTS. 

Other Research and Development – Provides support facilities and 

NTS access to universities and organizations conducting environmental 

and other research unique to the regional setting.
5

Groundwater — As a result of the 828 underground nuclear 

tests conducted at the NTS, millions of curies of radiation were released 

underground. The total amount of radiation remaining below the groundwater 

table is approximatley 60 million curies, based on the most recent decaycorrected calculation from 1992. The areas of known and potential groundwater 

contamination on the NTS due to underground nuclear testing are called 

Underground Test Area (UGTA) Corrective Action Units (CAUs). The corrective 

action strategy of the Environmental Management Program is to identify 

contaminant boundaries for these UGTA CAUs and to implement an effective 

long-term monitoring system (see page 20). 

Soil — Radioactively contaminated surface soils directly resulting from 

nuclear weapons testing exist at approximately 100 sites on and around the 

NTS. Closure of these sites is conducted in accordance with the FFACO and 

upon approval by the State of Nevada. Corrective actions required to complete 

closure range from removal of soil to closure in place with restricted access 

controls, such as fencing and posting. As of December 31, 2009, 16 sites have 

been approved for closure in accordance with the FFACO and approved by the 

State of Nevada.

Air — Airborne radioactive contamination from the resuspension of 

contaminated soils at legacy sites and from current activities is monitored continuously on and off the NTS. Since the cessation of 

atmospheric nuclear testing, the annual amounts of radiation released into the air from the NTS have ranged from 48 to 2,200 Ci for 

tritium, 0.0018 to 0.40 Ci for plutonium, and 0.039 to 0.049 Ci for americium. In air measured in communities surrounding the NTS, 

these emissions from the NTS cannot be distinguished from background airborne radiation. 

Structures/Materials — There are approximately 1,850 sites where facilities, equipment, structures, and/or debris 

were contaminated by historical nuclear research, development, and testing activities. The responsibility for remediating these

Industrial Sites belongs to the Environmental Restoration Project. As of December 31, 2009, 1,768 sites have been approved for fi nal 

completion in accordance with the FFACO and approved by the State of Nevada.

Waste Disposal — Low-level and mixed low-level radioactive wastes have been generated by historical nuclear 

research, development and testing activities, and environmental cleanup activities. Since the 1960s, nearly 1.42 million cubic yards 

of this waste have been safely disposed at the Area 3 and Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Sites through December 31, 2009. 

The estimated total amount of radioactivity at the time of disposal was 15 million Ci. The radioactive content of the disposed waste 

decays over time at a varied rate depending on the radionuclide.

Approximately one-third of the 828 

underground nuclear tests on the 

NTS were detonated near or in the 

saturated zone resulting in the contamination of groundwater in some 

areas. In addition, the 100 atmospheric nuclear tests conducted on the 

NTS and numerous nuclear-related 

experiments resulted in the contamination of surface soils, materials, 

equipment, and structures, mainly on 

the NTS. The NNSA/NSO Environmental Management mission was 

established to address this legacy of 

contamination. Within EnvironmenThe Legacy of NTS Nuclear Testing

Legacy Contamination

tal Management, the Environmental 

Restoration Project is responsible for 

remediating contaminated sites, and 

the Waste Management Project is 

responsible for safely managing and 

disposing of radioactive waste.

The primary regulatory driver of the 

Environmental Restoration Project is 

the Federal Facility Agreement and 

Consent Order (FFACO) between the 

State of Nevada, DOE, and DoD. The 

FFACO identifi es Corrective Action 

Units (CAUs), which are groupings of 

Corrective Action Sites (CASs) that 

delineate and defi ne areas of concern 

for contamination. Approximately 

2,800 CASs have been identifi ed, 

many of which have already been 

remediated and/or closed. The public 

is kept informed of Environmental 

Management activities through 

periodic newsletters, exhibits, and 

fact sheets, and Environmental Management provides the opportunity 

for public input via the Community 

Advisory Board, consisting of 15–20 

citizen volunteers from Nevada.

Locations of soil contamination on and off the NTS
6

Areas of Potential Groundwater Contamination on the NTS
7

Sources of Radiological Air Emissions on the NTS
8

Radiation is energy that travels 

through matter or space in the form 

of waves or high-speed particles. 

Light, heat, and sound are types of 

radiation. Ionizing radiation is a very 

high-energy form of electromagnetic 

radiation. Ionizing radiation consists 

of particles or rays given off by unstable atoms as they are converted, 

or decay, into more stable atoms. 

Ionizing radiation may be found 

everywhere. Almost all exposure to 

ionizing radiation comes from natural 

sources (82 percent in the United 

States). These sources include cosmic 

Curie (Ci) is the 

traditional measure of 

radioactivity based on 

the observed decay rate 

of 1 gram of radium. 

One curie of radioactive 

material will have 37 billion 

disintegrations in 1 second.

Forms of Radiation

Alpha particles are heavy, positively charged particles given off by 

some decaying atoms. Alpha particles can be blocked by a sheet of 

paper. Atoms emitting alpha particles are hazardous only if they are 

swallowed or inhaled. 

Beta particles are electrons or positrons (positively charged electrons) 

ejected from the nucleus of a decaying atom. More penetrating than 

alpha radiation, beta particles can pass through several millimeters of 

skin. A sheet of aluminum only a fraction of an inch thick will stop beta 

radiation. Beta particles can damage skin but are most hazardous if the 

beta-emitting atoms are swallowed or inhaled. 

Gamma rays are waves of pure energy similar to X-rays, light, 

microwaves, and radio waves. Gamma rays are emitted by certain 

radionuclides when their nuclei transition from a higher to a lower 

energy state. They can readily pass into the human body. They can be 

almost completely blocked by about 40 inches of concrete, 40 feet of 

water, or a few inches of lead. Gamma rays can be both an external 

and internal hazard. 

X-rays are a more familiar form of electromagnetic radiation, 

usually with a limited penetrating power, typically used in medical or 

dental examinations. Television sets, especially color, give off soft (lowenergy) X-rays; thus, they are shielded to greatly reduce the risk of 

radiation exposure. 

Neutrons are uncharged heavy particles contained in the nucleus 

of every atom heavier than ordinary hydrogen. They induce ionization 

only indirectly in atoms that they strike, but they can damage body 

tissues. Neutrons are released, for example, during the fi ssion (splitting) 

of uranium atoms in the fuel of nuclear power plants. They can also be 

very penetrating. In general, effi cient shielding against neutrons can be 

provided by materials containing hydrogen, such as water. Like gamma 

rays, neutrons are both an external and internal hazard. 

Understanding Radiation

radiation from outer space, terrestrial 

radiation from materials like uranium 

and radium in the earth, and naturally 

occurring radioactive elements 

(i.e., radionuclides) in our food, 

water, and the aerosols and gases in 

the air we breathe. We use man-made 

sources and applications of ionizing 

radiation in our everyday life such as 

smoke-detectors, x-rays, CT scans, 

and nuclear medicine procedures. 

For people living in areas around the 

NTS, less than 2 percent of their total 

radiation exposure is attributable to 

past or current NTS activities.

Dose is a generic term to describe the 

amount of radiation a person receives. 

The energy deposited indicates the 

number of molecules disrupted. The 

energy the radiation deposits in tissue 

is called the absorbed dose. The units 

of measure of absorbed dose are the 

rad or the gray. The biological effect 

of radiation depends on the type of 

radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, or 

X-ray) and the tissues exposed. A 

measure of the biological risk of the 

energy deposited is the dose equivalent. The units of dose equivalent 

are called rems or sieverts. In the 

NSTER, the term dose is used to 

mean dose equivalent measured in 

rems. A thousandth of a rem is called 

a millirem, abbreviated as mrem. 

An average person in the United 

States receives about 310 mrem each 

year from natural sources and an 

additional 310 mrem from medical 

procedures and consumer products. 

Whether or not there is a “safe” radiation dose equivalent is a controversial 

subject. Because the topic has yet to 

be settled scientifi cally, regulators 

take a conservative approach and assume that there is no such thing as a 

100 percent safe dose equivalent. It is 

believed that the risk of developing an 

adverse health effect (such as cancer) 

is proportionate to the amount of 

radiation dose received. Many human 

activities increase our exposure to 

radiation over and above the average 

background radiation dose of 

310 mrem per year. These activities include, for example, uranium 

Understanding 

Radiation Dose
9

Radionuclides Detected on the NTS

Name* Abbreviation Primary Type(s) 

of Radiation Major NTS Source

Man-Made

Americium-241 241Am Alpha, gamma

In soil at and near legacy sites of aboveground 

nuclear testing. Detected in soil and air.

Cesium-137 137Cs Beta, gamma

Plutonium-238 238Pu Alpha

Strontium-90 90Sr Beta

Cobalt-60 60Co Gamma

In soil at and near legacy sites of aboveground 

nuclear testing. Detected in soil. Europium-152 152Eu Gamma

Europium-155 155Eu Gamma

Plutonium-239+240 239+240Pu Alpha In soil at and near legacy sites of plutonium dispersal 

experiments. Detected in soil and air.

Tritium 3H Beta In groundwater in areas of underground nuclear 

tests, in surface ponds used to contain contaminated 

groundwater, in soil at nuclear test locations, in waste 

packages buried in pits at waste management sites. 

Detected in groundwater and air.

Naturally Occurring

Be-7 7Be Gamma Produced by interactions between cosmic radiation 

from the sun and the earth’s upper atmosphere. 

Detected in air.

Potassium-40 40K Beta, gamma

Naturally occurring in the earth’s crust. 

Detected in groundwater, soil, and air.

Radium-226 226Ra Alpha, gamma**

Thorium-232 232Th Alpha**

Uranium-234 234U Alpha**

Uranium-235 235U Alpha, gamma**

Uranium-238 238U Alpha**

*The number given with the name of the radionuclide is the atomic mass number, which is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. Atoms 

with the same number of protons are the same element; atoms of the same element with different mass numbers are called isotopes of one another. Plutonium and 

uranium each have several radioactive isotopes that are detected on the NTS.

**Some progeny or daughter radionuclides produced by the natural decay of this radionuclide would emit alpha, beta, or gamma radiation as well as alpha.

mining, airline travel, and operating 

nuclear power plants. Regulators balance the benefi t of these activities to 

the risk of increasing radiation exposures above background and, as a result, set dose limits for the public and 

workers specifi c to these activities. 

The DOE has set the dose limit to the 

public from exposure to DOE-related 

nuclear activities to 100 mrem/yr. 

This is the same public dose limit set 

by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and recommended by 

the International Commission on 

Radiological Protection and the 

National Commission on Radiological Protection and Measurements. 

The NRC has set the dose limit for 

radiation workers to 5,000 mrem/yr. 

There is no common or agreed-upon 

dose limits for workers or the public 

across industries, states, or countries.

Common Doses to the Average American 

Source/Activity Average Dose/Year (or as noted)

Five-hour jet plane ride 3 mrem/5 hours

Building materials 4 mrem

Chest X-ray 8 mrem

Cosmic 30 mrem

Soil 35 mrem

Internal to our body 40 mrem

Mammogram 138 mrem

Radon gas 200 mrem

CT scan 2,500 mrem

Smoking 20 cigarettes/day 5,300 mrem to a smoker’s lung

One cancer treatment 5,000,000 mrem to the tumor

Source: http://hss.energy.gov/HealthSafety/WSHP/radiation/Radiation-fi nal-6-20.pdf, 

as accessed on March 25, 2010 
10

Public Dose Limits 

for NTS Radiation

10 mrem/yr — This is 

the dose limit to the public 

(above natural background) 

from just the air transport 

pathway, as specifi ed by 

the Clean Air Act National 

Emission Standards for 

Hazardous Air Pollutants 

(NESHAP). 

100 mrem/yr —

This is the dose 

limit to the public 

(above natural 

background) 

from all possible 

pathways combined, 

as specifi ed by 

DOE O 5400.5, 

“Radiation 

Protection of the 

Public and the 

Environment.”

Monitoring NTS Radiation and 

Pathways of Exposure to the Public

The release of man-made radionuclides from the NTS has been monitored since the fi rst decade of atmospheric testing. After 1962 nuclear 

tests were conducted only underground, greatly reducing the radiation 

exposure in the areas surrounding 

the NTS. Underground nuclear testing nearly eliminated atmospheric 

releases of radiation but resulted in 

the contamination of groundwater 

in some areas of the NTS. After the 

1992 moratorium on nuclear testing, radiation monitoring focused 

on detecting airborne radionuclides 

that are resuspended with historically 

contaminated soils on the NTS and 

on detecting man-made radionuclides 

in groundwater.

There are three pathways in this dry 

desert environment by which manmade radionuclides from the NTS 

might reach the surrounding public:

Air Transport Pathway – 

Members of the public may inhale or 

ingest radionuclides that are resuspended by the wind from contaminated sites on the NTS. However, such 

resuspended radiation measured off 

and on the NTS is much lower than 

natural background radiation in all 

areas accessible to the public.

Ingestion Pathway – Members of 

the public may ingest game animals 

that have been exposed to contaminated soil or water on the NTS, have 

moved off the NTS, and have then 

been hunted.

Groundwater Pathway – Based 

on monitoring data, drinking contamPotential Dose Pathways 

to the Public

10

10 mrem/y

the dose li

(above n

from jus

pathwa

the Cle

Emiss

Haza

(NES

1

T

lim

p

a

Potential Dose Pathways

to the Public

Bedrock

Water Table

Underground

Tests

Legacy Surface

Contamination

Land Disposal

Dust Devil

Water

Well

Release

Release

Release

Wat

We

Release

Rele

Underground

Tests

Release

inated groundwater is currently not a 

possible pathway for public exposure 

given the restricted public access to 

the NTS and the location of known 

contaminated groundwater on and off 

the NTS. No manmade radionuclides 

have been detected in drinking water 

sources monitored off the NTS, and 

no drinking water wells on the NTS 

have measurable levels of manmade 

radionuclides. In 2009, radioactively 

contaminated groundwater was discovered in a characterization well on 

NTTR just west of the NTS boundary 

(see pages 20 and 21). This well is not 

a source of drinking water.
11

1.8%

57.8%

28.9%

11.5% Dose from inhalation of decay 

products from natural radon, 

200 mrem/yr

Dose from NTS emissions to 

air and consumption of 

wildlife, 6.16 mrem/yr

Dose from natural radionuclides in body, 40 mrem/yr

Dose from cosmic and terrestrial radiation at Indian Springs, 100 mrem/yr

Inhalation – Compliance with 

radiation dose limits to the general 

public from the air transport pathway 

is demonstrated using air sampling 

results from six onsite “critical receptor” sampling stations. The radionuclides detected at four or more of 

the NTS critical receptor samplers 

were 241Am, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 233+234U, 235+236U, 238U, and 3

H. Uranium in 

NTS surface soils has generally been 

attributed to naturally occurring 

uranium. As in previous years, the 

2009 data from the six critical receptor samplers show that the NESHAP 

dose limit to the public of 10 mrem/

yr was not exceeded. The Schooner 

critical receptor station, in the far 

northwest corner of the NTS, had the 

highest concentrations of radioactive air emissions, yet an individual 

residing at this station would experience a dose from air emissions of 

1.69 mrem/yr, only 17 percent of the 

NESHAP public dose limit. No one 

resides at this location, and the dose 

at the closest populated offsite locations (12 to 50 miles away) would be 

much lower due to wind dispersion.

Ingestion – NTS game animals include pronghorn antelope, mule deer, 

chukar, Gambel’s quail, mourning 

doves, cottontail rabbits, and jackrabbits. Small game animals from 

different contaminated NTS sites are 

trapped each year and analyzed for 

their radionuclide content. These results are used to construct worst-case 

scenarios for the dose to hunters who 

might consume these animals if the 

animals moved off the NTS. If game 

animals are not suffi ciently abundant 

to sample, non-game small mammals are used as an analog. In 2009, 

small game and non-game mammals were sampled from Plutonium 

Valley in Area 11, Area 3 RWMS, 

and Area 5 RWMC. A mule deer and 

a pronghorn antelope, accidentally 

killed by vehicles on the NTS, were 

opportunistically sampled. Based on 

Estimated 2009 Radiation Dose to 

the Public from NTS Operations

these samples, the highest dose to a 

member of the public was estimated 

to be 4.47 mrem for a person who 

consumed 20 jackrabbits from 

Plutonium Valley.

Direct Exposure – No members 

of the public are expected to receive 

direct gamma radiation that is above 

Percents of Total Dose to the Public from

Natural Background Sources and from the NTS

6.16 mrem/yr — This is the maximum 

dose to the public from inhalation, 

ingestion, and direct exposure pathways 

that is attributable to NTS operations. 

It is well below the dose limit of 

100 mrem/yr established by DOE O 5400.5 

for radiation exposure to the public from 

all pathways combined. This total dose 

estimate is indistinguishable from natural 

background radiation experienced by the 

public residing in communities near 

the NTS.

2009 Dose to the Public

from All Pathways

Great Basin skink (Eumeces skiltonianus)

background levels as a result of NTS 

operations. Areas accessible to the 

public, such as the main entrance 

gate, had direct gamma radiation 

exposure rates comparable to natural 

background rates from cosmic and 

terrestrial radiation. 
12

NTS radioactive emissions are monitored to determine the public dose 

from inhalation (shown on page 11)

and to ensure compliance with 

the NESHAP under the Clean Air 

Act. A network of 19 air sampling 

stations and a network of 109 thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) 

are located throughout the NTS (see 

map on page 13), mainly within NTS 

operations areas where historical 

nuclear testing has occurred or where 

current radiological operations occur. 

NTS air sampling stations monitor 

tritium in water vapor, man-made 

radionuclides, and gross alpha and 

beta radioactivity in airborne particulates. The TLD stations monitor 

direct gamma radiation exposure.

Radioactive emissions are also monitored at stations in selected towns and 

communities within 240 miles of the 

NTS by the independent Community 

Environmental Monitoring Program 

(CEMP), which is coordinated by the 

Desert Research Institute (DRI) of 

the Nevada System of Higher Education under contract with NNSA/NSO. 

Its purpose is to provide monitoring for radionuclides that may be 

released from the NTS. A network 

of 29 CEMP stations is used (see 

map on page 14). The CEMP stations 

monitor gross alpha and beta radioactivity in airborne particulates using 

low-volume particulate air samplers, 

penetrating gamma radiation using 

TLDs, gamma radiation exposure 

rates using pressurized ion chamber 

(PIC) detectors, and meteorological 

parameters using automated weather 

instrumentation (meteorological 

stations).

Man-Made Radionuclides at 

NTS Air Sampling Stations

– Several man-made radionuclides 

were detected at NTS air sampling 

stations in 2009: 241Am, 3

H, 238Pu, and 239+240Pu. None, however, exceeded 

concentration limits established by 

the Clean Air Act. The highest average level of 241Am, 238Pu and 239+240Pu 

was detected at Bunker 9-300 in 

Area 9, located within an area of 

known soil contamination from past 

nuclear tests. The highest average

level of tritium was detected at 

Schooner, site of the second-highest 

yield Plowshare cratering experiment 

on the NTS where tritium-infused 

ejecta surrounds the crater.

No man-made radionuclides were 

detected above minimum detectable 

concentrations in the air samples 

from the JASPER Facility. No radiological releases occurred at BEEF, 

U1a, DAF, RNCTEC, or NPTEC.

The total amounts (measured in Ci) 

of man-made radionuclides that were 

emitted to the air from all sources 

on the NTS in 2009 was estimated 

Monitoring of Radioactive Air Emissions and Direct Radiation

Range in Average Concentrations of Man-Made 

Radionuclides in Air Samples on the NTS in 2009

Concentration (10-15 μCi/mL)(a)

Radionuclide Limit(b) Lowest Average Highest Average 

241Am 1.9 0.00065 0.059

3H 1,500,000 60 249,600

238Pu 2.1 -0.00067 0.0061

239+240Pu 2.0 0.0014 0.39

(a) The scale of concentration units for radionuclides shown in the table have been standardized 

to 10-15 microcuries per milliliter (μCi/mL). This scale may differ from those reported in detailed 

radionuclide-specifi c data tables in the NTSER

(b) The concentration established by NESHAP as the compliance limit. 

to be 173 Ci for tritium, 0.047 Ci 

for 241Am, 0.050 Ci for 238Pu, and 

0.29 Ci for 239+240Pu. In 2009, these 

sources included contaminated soils 

at legacy sites, Area 3 and Area 5 

RWMS, Sedan and Schooner craters, 

and containment ponds or lagoons 

holding pumped groundwater from 

UGTA CAUs. Over the past 10 years, 

total emissions have ranged from 160 

to 564 Ci for tritium, 0.039 to 0.049 

Ci for 241Am, and 0.24 to 0.39 Ci for 239+240Pu. Emissions of 238Pu are 

estimated to have remained consistent at about 0.050 Ci over the same 

time frame.

Man-Made Radionuclides at 

Offsite Air Sampling Stations

– No airborne radioactivity related 

to any NTS operations was 

detected at the CEMP 

stations during 2009. 

No man-made gammaemitting radionuclides were 

detected. Naturally occurring radioactive beryllium (7

Be) was detected 

in most air particulate 

samples.

CE

g 20

gam

lide

ally o

e ber

s det

rticu

– No airborne radioactivity 

to any p NTS o erati

detected at the

stations durin

No man-made 

emitting radionuc

detected. Natura

ring radioactive

lium (7Be) was

in most air par

samples.

Estimated Quantity of Man-Made Radionuclides 

Released into the Air from the NTS in 2009 (in Curies)

Tritium

(

3H)

Americium

(

241Am)

Plutonium

(

238Pu)

Plutonium 

(

239+240Pu)

173 0.047 0.050 0.29

Plutonium and americium sources are legacy sites of past nuclear testing on the NTS where 

these radionuclides are in surface soils that can become re-suspended by wind.

Greater Roadrunner

(Geococcyx californianus)
13

2009 NTS Air Sampling Network
14

2009 CEMP Air Surveillance Network

Gamma Radiation Exposure

– Ten of the NTS TLD stations are 

located where radiation effects from 

past or present NTS operations are 

negligible, and therefore measure 

only natural background levels of 

gamma radiation from cosmic and 

terrestrial sources. In 2009, the 

mean measured background level 

from the ten stations was 120 milliroentgens per year (mR/yr). This is 

well within the range of variation in 

background levels observed in other 

parts of the U.S. of similar elevation 

above sea level. Background radiation varies not only by elevation but 

by the amounts of natural radioactive 

materials in soil and rock in different 

geographic regions.

The highest estimated mean annual 

gamma exposure measured at a 

TLD station on the NTS was 

Direct exposure

to gamma radiation is 

measured at 109 TLD 

stations on the NTS.

Exposure is reported in units 

called milliroentgens (mR).

Generally, a 1 mR gamma 

exposure from the 

most common external 

radionuclides produces a 

1 mrem dose.

2009 NTS 

Background 

Gamma Radiation

120 mR/yr — This is the 

mean background radiation 

measured at 10 TLD stations 

in areas isolated from past 

and present nuclear activities.

671 mR/yr at Schooner, one of the 

legacy Plowshare sites on Pahute 

Mesa. The lowest was 59 mR/yr in 

Mercury at the fi tness track. The 

mean annual gamma exposure at 

17 TLD locations near the Area 3 and 

Area 5 RWMSs was 140 mR/yr, and 

at the 35 TLD locations near known 

legacy sites (including Schooner), it 

was 252 mR/yr.

The CEMP offsite TLD and PIC 

results remained consistent with 

previous years’ background radiation 

levels and are also well within the 

range of variation in background

levels observed in other parts of the 

U.S. and with the 120 mR/yr level 

measured on the NTS. The highest total annual gamma exposure 

measured off site, based on the PIC 

detectors, was 180 mR/yr at Warm 

Springs Summit, Nevada (at 6,290 

feet elevation). The lowest offsite 

rate, based on the PIC detectors, was 

73 mR/yr at Pahrump, Nevada (at 

2,639 feet elevation).
15

Average Direct Radiation Measured in 2009

Location Elevation Above 

Sea Level (feet)

Radiation

Exposure (mR/yr)

NTS - Schooner TLD station 5,660 671

NTS - 35 Legacy Site TLD stations (includes Schooner) 3,077–5,938 252

Warm Springs Summit, Nevada CEMP PIC station 7,570 180

Twin Springs, Nevada PIC station 5,146 171

NTS - 17 Waste Operation TLD stations 3,176–4,021 140

NTS - 10 Background TLD stations 2,755–5,938 120

St. George, Utah PIC station 2,688 84

Pahrump, Nevada PIC station 2,639 73

NTS Mercury Fitness Track TLD station 3,769 59

Average Background Radiation of

Selected U.S. Cities

(Excluding Radon)

 City Elevation Above

Sea Level (feet)

Radiation

(mR/yr)

Denver, CO 5,280 164.6

Wheeling, WV 656 111.9

Rochester, NY 505 88.1

St. Louis, MO 465 87.9

Portland, OR 39 86.7

Los Angeles, CA 292 73.6

Fort Worth, TX 650 68.7

Richmond, VA 210 64.1

Tampa, FL 0 63.7

New Orleans, LA 39 63.7

Source: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cemp/Radiation.html, “Radiation in Perspective,” 

August 1990, as accessed on March 22, 2010

Estimated Quantity of Pollutants Released into the 

Air from NTS Operations in 2009

Criteria Air Pollutants: Tons

 Particulate Matter(a) 0.49

 Carbon Monoxide 0.55

 Nitrogen Oxides 2.45

 Sulfur Dioxide 0.10

 Volatile Organic Compounds 0.71

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) 0.30

Lead 0.006

(a) Particulate matter equal to or less than 10 microns in diameter

The release of air pollutants is 

regulated on the NTS under a 

Class II air quality operating permit. 

Class II permits are issued for 

“minor” sources where annual emissions must not exceed 100 tons of any 

one “criteria pollutant” or 10 tons of 

any one of the 189 “hazardous air 

pollutants” (HAPs), or 25 tons of 

any combination of HAPs. Common sources of such air pollutants 

on the NTS include particulates from 

construction, aggregate production, 

surface disturbances, fugitive dust 

from driving on unpaved roads, fuelburning equipment, open burning, 

fuel storage facilities, and chemical 

release tests conducted at the NPTEC 

on Frenchman Flat playa in Area 5.

An estimated 4.30 tons of criteria 

air pollutants were released on the 

NTS in 2009. The majority of the 

emissions were nitrogen oxides from 

diesel generators. Total air emissions 

of lead, also a criteria pollutant, was 

12.3 pounds (0.006 tons). The quantity of HAPS released in 2009 was 

0.30 tons. No emission limits for any 

air pollutants were exceeded.

Nonradioactive

Air Emissions
16

2009 CEMP Water Monitoring Locations

Offsite Radiological Monitoring of Groundwater

NNSA/NSO’s comprehensive 

radiological environmental monitoring program includes sampling and 

analysis of groundwater and natural 

springs off of the NTS to determine if 

groundwater contamination from past 

nuclear testing poses a current threat 

to public health and the environment. 

In 2009, NSTec conducted radiological monitoring of 14 offsite private/

community water supply wells, 

12 offsite non-potable NNSA/NSO 

wells, and 7 offsite springs (see map 

on page 17). 

The DRI, through 

the CEMP, is 

tasked by NNSA/

NSO to provide 

independent verifi -

cation of the tritium 

concentrations in 

some of the offsite 

groundwater wells, 

municipal water 

supply systems, 

and springs used for water supplies in areas surrounding the NTS. 

Samples collected by 

DRI provide a comparison to the results 

obtained by NSTec. In 

2009, the CEMP offsite 

water sampling locations 

included 21 wells, 

3 surface water supply 

systems, and 4 springs 

located in selected 

towns and communities 

within 240 miles from 

the NTS (see map to 

the right).

NSTec offsite water 

samples are analyzed 

for tritium, manmade gamma-emitting 

radionuclides, and gross 

alpha and gross beta 

radioactivity. Tritium 

is the sole radionuclide 

for which CEMP water 

sample analyses are run.

All water samples 

from the offsite 

springs, wells, 

and surface water 

supplies monitored 

by NSTec and the 

CEMP had levels 

of tritium either 

below laboratory 

background levels 

or at very low 

detectable levels 

(<30 picocuries per liter [pCi/L]). 

The very low detectable levels 

represent residual 

tritium persisting 

in the environment 

that originated 

from global atmospheric nuclear 

testing.

No offsite springs 

or wells contained 

any man-made 

gamma-emitting 

radionuclides.

Offsite groundwater monitoring indicates that there has 

been no offsite migration 

of man-made radionuclides 

from underground contamination areas on the NTS to 

neighboring water supply 

wells or springs.

Range in Groundwater Tritium Levels

Measured Off the NTS in 2009

pCi/L

Offsite Supply Wells (CEMP) -0.3 to 4.7

Offsite Springs/

Surface Waters (CEMP) 0.5 to 22.4

Offsite NNSA/NSO 

Monitoring Wells (NSTec) -10.2 to 23.8

Most offsite wells and all offsite 

spring samples contained detectable 

gross alpha and/or gross beta activity consistent with levels anticipated 

from natural sources. All levels were 

less than the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA) limits set 

for drinking water (15 pCi/L for gross 

alpha and 50 pCi/L for gross beta), 

except NNSA/NSO wells ER-OV-02 

and Ash-B Piezometer #2 whose 

measured gross alpha activities were 

19.0 and 17.8 pCi/L, respectively.
17

2009 NSTec Water Monitoring Locations
18

Radioactivity in onsite groundwater 

and surface waters of the NTS is 

monitored annually in order to 

(1) ensure that NTS drinking water 

is safe, (2) determine if permitted 

facilities on the NTS are in compliance with permit discharge limits for 

radionuclides, (3) estimate radiological dose to onsite wildlife using natural and man-made water sources, and 

(4) determine if groundwater is being 

protected from disposed radioactive 

wastes at the Area 3 and Area 5 

RWMSs. In 2009, the onsite water 

monitoring network consisted of 5 

potable and 4 non-potable water supply wells, 15 monitoring wells, and 

1 tritiated water containment pond 

system (see map on 

page 17).

Water Supply 

Wells – The 2009 

data continue to 

indicate that underground nuclear 

testing has not 

impacted the NTS 

drinking water supply network. None 

of the onsite water 

supply wells had 

concentrations of 

tritium or any manmade gamma-emitting radionuclides 

above their minimum detectable concentrations (MDCs). The gross alpha 

and gross beta radioactivity detected 

in potable water supply wells represent the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides and did not exceed 

EPA drinking water limits.

Monitoring Wells – Some 

migration of radionuclides from the 

underground test areas to NTS monitoring wells has occurred, although 

the migration distances appear to be 

very short. Four onsite monitoring 

wells (PM-1, UE-7NS, U-19BH, and 

WW A) had detectable concentrations of tritium ranging from 33 to 

339 pCi/L, all well below the drinking water limit of 20,000 pCi/L. 

Onsite Radiological Monitoring of Groundwater

Each of these wells is located within 

0.6 miles of a historical underground 

test. Tritium concentrations in these 

wells have been decreasing in recent 

years; the estimated rates of decrease 

since 1999 range 

from 6.6 to 11.0 

percent and are 

consistent with the 

natural decay rate 

of tritium. In 2009, 

all the other onsite monitoring wells 

sampled had tritium levels below 

their MDCs, which ranged from 

-10.7 to 12.1 pCi/L.

No man-made radionuclides were 

detected by gamma spectroscopy 

analyses at concentrations above 

detection limits in any of the monitoring wells in 2009. Those monitoring well samples measured for gross 

alpha and gross 

beta all had detectable levels, which 

are likely from natural sources. One 

of the monitoring 

wells (ER-19-1) had 

gross beta activity 

above the EPA drinking water limit; 

this activity is likely from man-made 

radionuclides.

Containment Ponds – 

A series of fi ve constructed ponds 

collect and hold water discharged 

20,000 pCi/L — This 

is the EPA-established 

concentration limit for tritium 

in drinking water, equal to a 

dose of about 4 mrem/yr.

Range in Groundwater Tritium Levels 

Measured On the NTS in 2009

pCi/L

Onsite Supply Wells -26.3 to 7.6

Onsite Monitoring Wells -94 to 339*

*Four onsite monitoring wells had tritium levels above MDCs; all four 

are within 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) of underground nuclear tests.

ng radionuclides

R

O

O

*

a

No drinking water wells on the NTS 

contained detectable tritium or man-made 

gamma-emitting radionuclides.

Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores)
19

2009 Monitoring Results for E Tunnel Effl uent 

Waters Pertaining to Water Pollution Control 

Permit NEV 96021

Parameter Permit Limit

(pCi/L)

Average Measured 

Concentration (pCi/L)

Tritium 1,000,000 477,000

Gross Alpha 35 13.6

Gross Beta 100 38.9

NTS 

Drinking Water

The public water 

systems that supply 

drinking water to 

NTS workers and 

visitors meet all 

National Primary and 

Secondary Drinking 

Water Standards.

from E Tunnel in Area 12 where 

nuclear testing was conducted in the 

past. The water is perched groundwater that has percolated through 

fractures in the tunnel system. Monitoring of the effl uent waters from 

E Tunnel is conducted to determine if 

radionuclides or other contaminants 

exceed the allowable contaminant 

levels regulated under a state water 

pollution control permit. Tritium 

concentrations in tunnel effl uent 

waters in 2009 were lower than the 

permit limit. The E Tunnel containment ponds are fenced and posted 

with radiological warning signs. 

Given that the ponds are available to 

wildlife, game animals are periodically sampled by NSTec to assess the 

potential radiological dose to humans 

via ingestion of game animals exposed to these ponds and to evaluate 

the radiological impacts to wildlife.

Tritiated water is also pumped into 

lined sumps during studies conducted 

by the Environmental Management’s 

UGTA Sub-Project. This sub-project’s mission is to characterize the 

groundwater beneath the NTS and 

adjacent lands for the purpose of developing analytical models to predict 

groundwater movement and contaminant transport. To do this, suitable 

wells are drilled and existing drill 

holes are re-completed in the vicinity of some underground tests. If the 

tritium level exceeds 200,000 pCi/L 

in water purged from a well during 

drilling, re-completion, or sampling 

operations, contaminated water is 

pumped from the wells and diverted 

to lined sumps (containment ponds) 

NNSA/NSO operates a network of 

six permitted wells that comprise 

three permitted public water systems 

on the NTS that supply the drinking 

water needs of NTS workers and visitors. NNSA/NSO also hauls potable 

water to work locations at the NTS 

that are not part of a public water 

system. Monitoring results for 2009 

indicated that water samples from the 

three public water systems and from 

the potable water hauling trucks met 

the National Primary and Secondary 

Drinking Water Standards. 

Industrial discharges on the NTS are 

limited to the two operating sewage 

lagoon systems, Area 6 Yucca and 

for evaporation, as required by the 

State. During 2009, water containing 

tritium was pumped from four 

drill holes. Water from one of the 

wells, ER-20-7, was contained in 

a sump and had a tritium concentration of 18,300,000 pCi/L. Well 

ER-20-7, completed in 2009, 

intercepted a contaminant plume 

consisting almost entirely of tritium 

believed to originate from the TYBO 

and BENHAM underground test 

areas, which are about 3,100 feet 

and 4,300 feet away from ER-20-7, 

respectively.

Onsite Nonradiological Monitoring of 

Drinking Water and Wastewater

Area 23 Mercury. Under the conditions of the state operating permit, 

liquid discharges to these sewage 

lagoons were tested quarterly in 2009 

for biochemical oxygen demand, pH, 

and total suspended solids. All sewage lagoon water measurements were 

within permit limits. 

The discharge water from the 

E Tunnel complex is sampled annually under the state water pollution 

control permit NEV 96021 for 

14 nonradiological contaminants, 

which are mainly metals. In 2009, 

none of the contaminants were 

detected at levels that exceeded 

permit limits.

Ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus)

Hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii)
20

Location of UGTA Sub-Project CAUs and Model Areas

In 1996, the DOE, DoD, and the State 

of Nevada entered into the FFACO. 

The FFACO (amended in March 2010), 

addresses the environmental restoration of historical contaminated sites at 

the NTS, parts of TTR, parts of the 

NTTR, the Central Nevada Test Area, 

and the Project Shoal Area. The 

FFACO identifi es a work scope and 

milestone schedule for the cleanup 

and safe closure of aboveground 

contaminated sites and for the fi eld 

investigations and model development 

necessary to characterize the underground sites. Closure of the underground sites will involve monitoring 

groundwater in perpetuity because 

cost-effective technologies have not 

been developed to effectively remove 

or stabilize the 

radiological contaminants produced 

during historical underground 

nuclear testing.

The UGTA SubProject investigates 

the areas where 

local or regional groundwater contamination has occurred on the NTS. 

These areas have been organized into 

fi ve UGTA CAUs. Investigations also 

include areas where groundwater 

contamination is predicted to occur 

within 1,000 years. 

The Central and Western Pahute 

Mesa CAUs Phase I Flow and 

Transport Model published in 2009 

predicts that tritium contamination above the Safe 

Drinking Water Act 

maximum contaminant level of 20,000 

pCi/L should be 

present off the NTS 

(see fi gure on next 

page). NNSA/NSO 

presented the model predictions at 

open house events on February 18, 

2009, and April 19, 2010, at the 

Beatty Community Center in Beatty, 

Nevada.

A Phase II hydrogeologic investigation for the Pahute Mesa-Oasis Valley 

Model Area was 

started in 2009. 

Twelve proposed 

Phase II well sites 

were identifi ed, 

and four new 

wells were drilled 

in 2009: ER-20-7, ER-20-8, 

ER-20-8#2, all in Area 20 on the 

NTS, and ER-EC-11 on the NTTR 

Environmental 

Restoration

just 716 meters (2,350 feet) west of 

the NTS boundary. 

Preliminary groundwater sampling 

of the new ER-EC-11 well in October 

In 2009, NNSA/NSO’s 

Industrial Sites SubProject cleaned up and 

safely closed 46 historical, 

contaminated aboveground 

sites and met all FFACO 

2009 closure milestones. 

The Central and Western 

Pahute Mesa Flow and 

Transport Model predicts 

the migration of tritium off 

the NTS within 50 years 

of the fi rst underground 

detonation (1965) in the 

Pahute Mesa-Oasis Valley 

Model Area. 

The schedule of FFACO corrective actions, particularly 

for UGTA CAUs, is among 

the highest mission priorities 

of NNSA/NSO.
21

2009 confi rmed the presence of tritium at approximately 12,500 pCi/L. 

Well sample analyses to date have not 

detected the presence of man-made 

radionuclides further down gradient 

of Pahute Mesa in any of the seven 

nearby UGTA wells on the NTTR 

(ER-EC-1, -2A, -4, -5, -6, -7, and -8). 

The fi nal number of Pahute Mesa 

Phase II wells will be determined 

by NNSA/NSO. Proposed wells are 

selected to provide the maximum 

amount of information to support 

groundwater fl ow and contaminant 

transport modeling. Some of the new 

wells drilled for this investigation 

may also be used as long-term 

monitoring wells.

In 2009, the Phase II investigation 

for the Frenchman Flat CAU was 

completed, the Phase II Frenchman 

Flat Transport Model was submitResults of Phase I Central and Western Pahute Mesa Transport Modeling

ted to the State of Nevada, and 

the objectives and criteria for the 

long-term monitoring well network 

for the Frenchman Flat CAU were 

developed. The development of fl ow 

and transport models for the Yucca 

Flat-Climax Mine and Rainier MesaShoshone Mountain CAUs continued 

in 2009.

The FFACO Web page sponsored by 

the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Federal Facilities is found at http://ndep.nv.gov/

BOFF/ffco.htm. Current FFACOrelated public notices can be found 

on the NNSA/NSO Web page at 

http://www.nv.doe.gov/outreach/

publicnotices.aspx. 

In October 2009, tritium was detected 

at approximately 12,500 pCi/L in the 

UGTA Sub-Project Well ER-EC-11 on 

the NTTR. This is the fi rst time that 

radionuclides from underground 

nuclear testing activities at the NTS 

have been detected in groundwater 

beyond the NTS boundaries. These 

results support the Central and 

Western Pahute Mesa Flow and 

Transport Model forecasts. Well ER-20-7
22

Pollution Prevention 

and Waste Minimization

Cultural Resources

Pollution prevention and waste 

minimization activities on the NTS 

result in reductions to the volume and 

toxicity of waste generated on site. 

In 2009, a reduction of 125 tons of 

hazardous wastes was realized. 

The largest proportion of this reduction came from shipments of bulk 

used oil (81.0 tons) and lead acid batteries (20.9 tons) to offsite vendors 

for recycling.

A reduction of 168.9 tons of solid 

wastes was realized in 2009. The 

largest proportion of this reduction 

came from shipping 106.7 tons of 

mixed paper and cardboard for recycling and shipping 31.2 tons of food 

wastes from the NTS cafeterias to a 

local pig farm. 

DRI archeologists completed archival research and fi eld surveys of 

512 acres for 11 proposed NNSA/

NSO projects on the NTS and the 

NTTR in 2009. No cultural resources 

eligible for the National Register of 

Historic Places (NRHP) were found 

during the fi eld surveys.

The National Historic Preservation 

Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies to identify and maintain the 

integrity of historic properties under 

their jurisdiction. In 2009, a historical evaluation report for the U12t 

Tunnel Complex was fi nalized and 

a draft historical evaluation for the 

U12n Tunnel was completed. These 

Cold War era sites possess a distinctive type and method of construction and engineering for conducting 

underground nuclear tests. They are 

eligible for the NRHP as historic 

landscapes. 

Other fi eld projects included photodocumentation of metal troughs at the 

historic Little Feller location and the 

Engine Maintenance, Assembly, and 

Disassembly building in Area 25 and 

a site visit to Area 17 for evaluating 

the proposed location of a live fi ring 

and training range. Archival research 

was conducted for Building 2205.

The NHPA requires that archaeological collections and associated 

records be maintained at professional 

standards. DRI maintains the NTS 

Archaeological Collection, which 

contains over 400,000 artifacts. Over 

30 years of archaeological survey 

reports, technical reports, and site 

records are linked to a searchable 

Geographical Information System. In 

2009, electronic fi les were created for 

all site forms and reports.

NNSA/NSO’s American Indian 

Program conducts consultations with 

NTS-affi liated American Indian 

tribes through the Consolidated 

Group of Tribes and Organizations 

(CGTO). In 2009, the Program gave a 

presentation at the State-Tribal 

Government Intergovernmental 

Work Group meeting in Snowbird, Utah, about the CGTO’s 

participation in developing 

American Indian text for major 

NTS Environmental Impact 

Statements. NNSA/NSO also 

hosted a Tribal Update Meeting 

with the CGTO in 2009.

Numerous species, considered by 

federal and state agencies to be sensitive or important to track, are known 

to occur on the NTS and include 19 

plants, 1 mollusk, 2 reptiles, over 250 

birds, and 27 mammals. Biologists 

continued to monitor some of these 

species in 2009, including two plant 

species, western red-tailed skinks, 

western burrowing owls, bats, mule 

deer, and mountain lions. As a result, 

the documented distribution patterns 

of these species on the NTS have 

been increased, and other species 

new to the NTS have been recorded. 

Biologists continued to work in cooperation with Southern Nevada Health 

District personnel to determine if 

mosquitoes on the NTS carry West 

Nile Virus. As in previous years, no 

infected mosquitoes were found.

In 2009, the Habitat Restoration 

Monitoring Program monitored one 

closed Environmental Restoration 

site on the NTS and fi ve on the TTR, 

all of which had been revegetated 

between 1997 and 2004. Closed sites 

are revegetated to prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species, restore native plants to the site, 

and provide habitat for wildlife. At 

closed waste sites, vegetation protects 

against soil erosion and water percolation into buried waste. In 2009, 

viable native perennial plant communities were documented at the six 

sites, and at many of the sites, plant 

density and plant cover values 

exceeded pre-established standards 

for revegetation success. 

Ecological Monitoring

Desert chicory (Rafi nesquia neomexicana)

Chuckwalla (Sauromalus obesus)

pr

G

W

bi

pa

A

N

St

ho

Wild horses (Equus caballus) with the

Rock cabin at Cane Spring, Area 27
23

Endangered 

Species Protection

The desert tortoise is protected as 

a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act; it occurs in 

suitable habitat on the southern third 

of the NTS. Activities conducted in 

desert tortoise habitat must comply 

with the terms and conditions of a 

Biological Opinion issued to NNSA/

NSO by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service. In 2009, biologists conducted 

surveys for 24 projects within the distribution range of the desert tortoise, 

and 8.08 acres of desert tortoise habitat were disturbed or were scheduled 

for disturbance. No desert tortoises 

were accidentally injured or killed, 

nor were any found, captured, or displaced from project sites. One desert 

tortoise was accidentally killed on a 

road in 2009. A cumulative total of 

319.54 acres of desert tortoise habitat 

has been disturbed on the NTS since 

1992 when the species was listed 

as threatened.

The NNSA/NSO Energy Management Program was formed to implement projects to meet the goals of 

DOE O 430.2B, “Departmental 

Energy, Renewable Energy and 

Transportation Management.” Its 

mission is to reduce the use of energy 

and water in NNSA/NSO facilities 

by advancing energy effi ciency, water 

conservation, and the use of solar and 

other renewable energy sources. The 

Energy Management Program

program’s goals are established, 

tracked, and reported on a fi scal year 

(FY) basis (October 1 through September 30). In December 2009, the 

Energy Management Program developed the FY 2010 NNSA/NSO Energy 

Executable Plan, which reports the 

current status toward meeting the 

2015 goals of DOE O 430.2B, the 

projects completed in FY 2009, and 

the projects planned for FY 2010.

Energy Executable Plan 2009 Status

Increase Energy Effi ciency — Energy intensity (energy 

consumption per gross square foot of building space) was 

reduced in FY 2009 by 23% from the FY 2003 baseline. 

NNSA/NSO is on track to meet the goal of reducing energy 

intensity by 30% by 2015. 

Promote Renewable Energy — NNSA/NSO is investigating 

a renewable energy facility on the NTS. Full funding to build a 

Solar Demonstration Zone will achieve the goal of having 7.5% 

of NTS’s annual electricity and thermal consumption supplied by 

an onsite renewable energy source. Renewable energy credits 

were purchased to offset this requirement for 2010–2011. 

Conserve Water — In FY 2009, potable water use was 

reduced by 16% percent from the FY 2007 baseline. This is the 

2015 goal, which will probably be exceeded each year as the 

installation of water meters and the use of best management 

practices for water effi ciency continue. 

Reduce Consumption of Petroleum Products — In FY 2009, 

the motor vehicle fl eet’s consumption of petroleum products was 

reduced by 2% annually, and the consumption of non-petroleumbased fuel was increased by 10% annually. These are the 2015 

goals. In FY 2009, 100% of all light vehicles purchased were 

alternative fuel vehicles, which exceeded the goal of 75%. 

Use High Performance Sustainable Buildings (HPSB) — 

An HPSB Plan was developed in August 2009. Ten buildings 

were identifi ed as meeting the Leadership in Energy and 

Environmental Design (LEED) requirements. NNSA/NSO is on 

track to meet goal of having 15% of all buildings classifi ed as 

HPSB by 2015. By the end of 2010, four buildings are expected 

to achieve LEED certifi cation, which represents 10.4% of the 

required 15% of enduring buildings.

Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)
24

NNSA/NSO conducts activities on 

the NTS while ensuring protection 

of the environment, the worker, and 

the public. This is accomplished by 

implementing an Environmental 

Management System (EMS). The 

EMS is a business management 

practice that incorporates concern 

for environmental performance 

throughout an organization, with the 

ultimate goal being continual reduction of the organization’s impact on 

the environment. NSTec designed an 

EMS to meet the 17 requirements of 

Environmental Management System

the globally recognized International 

Organization for Standardization 

(ISO) 14001 Environmental Management Standard. In 2008, the EMS 

obtained ISO 14001 certifi cation. 

NSTec identifi es NNSA/NSO operations with a potential environmental 

aspect and implements the EMS to 

minimize or eliminate such impacts. 

An NSTec Environmental Working 

Group determines which EMS objectives and targets will be implemented 

each fi scal year 

EMS FY 2009 Status

Reduce Hazardous Air Emissions

► Replaced two fuel burning boilers 

 with high effi ciency electric boilers. 

 The 2009 target was to replace three 

 boilers. The third boiler was removed 

 instead of replaced.

Prevent Drinking Water Contamination

► Replaced approximately 2,700 feet of 

 old and leaking waterline in Area 6 of 

 the NTS. This target was met by 

 early 2010.

Reduce Energy Use

► Reduced electrical energy use by 

 20.1% from the FY 2008 baseline. 

 This exceeded the target of a 

 3% reduction. 

Close/Remediate Historical Contaminated 

Sites Regulated under FFACO

► Completed closure of four CAUs on 

 schedule, meeting the FY 2009 target.

Protect Groundwater Quality

► Prepared 80 historical boreholes 

 for plugging and plugged 74 historical 

 boreholes, meeting the FY 2009 

 target.

Reduce Risks of Environmental 

Contamination at Active Vulnerable Sites

► Mitigating actions were taken at three 

 active operational sites on the NTS to 

 remove or reduce the risk of a 

 chemical release. The target each 

fi scal year is to take mitigating action 

 for as many vulnerable sites as 

 possible as funds become available.

Reduce Waste Generation

► Reused 100% of the soil (168 cubic 

 yards) excavated from a new disposal 

 cell at the Area 5 RWMS for waste 

 cover and fi ll material, meeting the 

 FY 2009 target.

► Reused 26.2 miles of existing 

 pavement, which was removed and 

 recycled as road bed material under 

 new pavement, meeting the FY 2009 

 target.

Reduce Water Usage

► Reduced water usage by 4.4% from 

 the FY 2008 baseline. This exceeded 

 the target of a 2% reduction.
U.S. Department of Energy

National Nuclear Security Administration

Nevada Site Office

Office of Public Affairs

P.O. Box 98518

Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8518

Phone: (702) 295-3521

Fax: (702) 295-0154

E-mail: nevada@nv.doe.gov

http://www.nv.doe.gov

For more information, contact:

04100001