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The annual dose limit set by CDPHE is 0.05 Sievert (Sv) which is equivalent to 5 Rem (CDPHE, 2005). OSHA limits are the same as for CDPHE although OSHA expresses the limit as 1'/4 Rem per calendar quarter (equals 5 Rem per year) (OSHA, 1996, Table G-18, section 1910- 1096(b)(1)). OSHA has further limitations for workers under the age of 18 whereby employers shall not permit a worker under the age of 18 to receive a dose of more than 10 percent of the adult dose limit of 1'/a Rem per calendar quarter (OSHA, 1996, section 1910-1096(b)(3)). This means the dose limit for those under the age of 18 is 0.125 Rem/calendar quarter or 0.5 Rem/year. Although there are no established dose limit guidelines for the public at uranium mine sites, the BLM is requesting that the CDPHE limit be adjusted to a "recreation limit". Recreation is defined by Dept. of Energy (DOE) as a member of the public camping/living on an un-reclaimed uranium mine waste rock pile 24-hours per day for a period of 14 days (DOE, 2007, p. 5-46). If this camping activity were to occur it could potentially involve persons under the age of 18 therefore, the annual dose limit would have to be set at 0.005 Sv per year (0.5 Rem/yr). However, it should be noted that the recreation limit as discussed in the programmatic EA (DOE , 2007), is for the "No-Action Alternative" wherein there are no public-access restrictions to uranium mine sites. Whereas, in the other two alternatives, (Expanded Program Alternative and Existing Program Alternative), the public is not allowed access to the mine sites and, as such, there are no recreational risks to the public until after reclamation is complete and the public regains access to the site. In addition, after mine closure and proper reclamation, radiation exposure on the sites would be reduced such that it does not pose a treat to the public. Additionally, the Health and Safety section of the preferred alternative in the EA (CO-150- 2006-015 EA) for the J-Birds Mine specifies that, "Signs will be posted on the proposed project facilities that identify potential hazards associated with their operation..." (BLM, 2006, pgs. 6 & 15). Since radiation exposure is a potential hazard at any uranium mine site, BEC would place appropriate radiation hazard warning signs on the facility, in accordance with the EA. The presence of these signs, combined with continued operation of the mine, as well as the coming and going of mine personnel will greatly reduce the likelihood that members of the public would recreate or camp on the site. References Cited BLM, 2006, Environmental Assessment for J-Birds Mine Montrose County, Colorado: U.S. Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment No. CO-150-2006- O 15 EA. CDOHE, 2005, State Board of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Radiation Control 6 CCR 1007-1 Part 4 -Standards for Protection Against Radiation: