Idaho National Laboratory Environmental Monitoring Plan

Each monitoring well in the USGS regional network is monitored for the contaminants of concern
specific to its locale and known or suspected contaminant sources. In general, onsite SRPA wells outside
of facility fences are sampled by the USGS annually, depending on location. Samples are routinely
collected and analyzed for radionuclides, volatile organic compounds, trace elements, and anions.
Sampling locations, methodologies, and parameters are specified in DOE/ID-22182, “Field Methods and
Quality Assurance Plan for Quality-of-Water Activities, US Geological Survey, Idaho National
Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho.” 37
4.4 Surface Water
The Big Lost River system includes the Little Lost River, Big Lost River, Birch Creek, and associated
tributary channels, playas, and sinks. No streams or rivers flow from within the INL Site to locations
outside the boundaries, and most years, the channels of the Big Lost River system on the INL Site are dry.
However, surface water samples are taken when water is present both on and around the INL Site to
monitor the surface water pathway. Currently, there are no discharges of storm water or liquid effluent
from INL Site facilities that require monitoring under 33 USC § 1251, “Federal Clean Water Act.” 38
Figure 4-7 shows all of the surface water monitoring locations, both onsite and offsite, that are currently
monitored.
4.4.1 INL Contractor
The INL contractor does not currently perform any surface water sampling at the INL Site.
4.4.2 ICP Contractor
Surface and near-surface soils at RWMC have become contaminated from waste handling and biotic
intrusion during past flooding of open pits. Surface water runoff is sampled at the SDA because of the
potential for surface water runoff to become contaminated. Sampling locations, parameters, and
frequencies are documented in the ICP PLN-720 (Reference 30) and associated procedures. These
samples are collected to comply with the following objectives:
Meet the requirements for waste management facility monitoring per DOE Order 435.1
(Reference 27).
Determine concentrations of radionuclides in surface water leaving the facility.
Report comparisons of measured concentrations against derived concentration guides for the public.
Derived concentration guides are calculated from DOE dose equivalent tables and based on DOE
radiation protection standards given in DOE Order 5400.5 (Reference 4).
Detect and report significant trends in measured concentrations of radionuclides in surface waters
leaving the facility.
Environmental Surveillance 4-12