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MMRR Quarry, M-2004-067 <br />Response to Jan. 21 Adequacy Review <br />March 23, 2005 <br />Page 7 <br />reclamation standards, or enforcement activity stemming from a concern <br />that uranium would be released from that site. There is no conclusive <br />evidence that rock quarrying in the geologic formation found at the MMRR <br />Quarry, following standard dust and sediment control practices, has any <br />toxic effect on the background level of radioactivity on the subject property <br />or adjacent property. <br />The level of risk associated with the type of uranium mineralization that is <br />likely to be encountered, if encountered at all at the MMRR Quarry, can be <br />safely addressed with appropriate protocols for monitoring, mitigation, and <br />emergency response. It is possible that appropriate containment <br />measures can be developed to prevent any uranium content present at <br />the site from being dispersed in an unsafe manner. The thoroughness of <br />monitoring and safety protocols is the ultimate determinant of risk and <br />safety, and we therefore propose to adopt "Option 2," a Monitoring, <br />Containment, and Control Plan, as described in the DMG adequacy <br />review. <br />We do not believe a preliminary geologic assessment prior to operations <br />will provide useful answers regarding the potential effect of mining on any <br />mineralized uranium. <br />The following features describe an appropriate Monitoring, Containment, <br />and Control Plan for the site. <br />Drill Cuttings. Prior to blasting, the operator will obtain drill <br />cuttings from at least one representative sample point and <br />promptly perform assay work for uranium content. The <br />purpose of this analysis is to determine whether there is <br />sufficient uranium in the blast area to warrant further <br />monitoring, containment, and control measures within the <br />area affected by the blast. <br />Presence of Uranium Ore. It is not believed that uranium <br />of substantial mineral concentration or recoverable quality is <br />located on the MMRR Quarry site. Uranium ore is therefore <br />not contemplated as an ancillary product of quarry <br />operations. <br />The operator will contact the DMG immediately if any <br />monitoring result or field observation indicates that uranium <br />ore is present on the site as a substantial resource. Any <br />lode or other concentrated deposit that would yield <br />marketable uranium ore, whether marketed as such or not <br />