DHEC has a public meeting on Thurs, Oct 11, at Snelling (near Barnwell – at 1321 Technology Drive, SC Advanced Technology Park.  Pre-meeting reception begins at 6:30 and DHEC Presentation and Discussion at 7. 

We have asked DHEC to revise the 'trending graphs' for test wells at Barnwell.  You can see the difference in one well by comparing the attached graph with the one on the DHEC website (link here  - go to #0110). 

The DHEC map looks ‘artificially’ flat for 2 reasons: it shows only 5 years (not 14) and it uses an exponential scale on the vertical (multiples of 10) rather than equal increments of pico curies per liter. 

DHEC staff appear to be making genuine efforts to better utilize the tons of data collected over the years - looking more at hydrology, etc.  They continue to maintain that the tritium leak is from the old waste and that the plume is shrinking.  We have not seen enough data to agree that tritium levels are decreasing and we are not satisfied with the location of the 'compliance point.' (downstream on Mary's Branch and not at the limit of the state owned land but at the boundary of property acquired later by Chem Nuclear). 

There also remain differences about the degree of pollution/contamination that is acceptable long term off of the site.  However, we sense that DHEC is quite serious about monitoring the tritium plume and about communicating with the public. Given the fact that prior to 1983, liquid waste was poured into the ground and that almost 15 million cubic feet of waste was disposed there prior to 1983, many informed people remain concerned.  The current open trenches, vaults and caps were not instituted until the early 1990's.  DHEC does have contingency plans for ‘pumping’ contaminated water back on the site if levels at the compliance point hit a certain threshold (NRC standard not the drinking water standard since ‘no one drinks the water there…”). 

The Atlantic Compact meets again on Oct 25^th at 10:00 and there will be discussion about plans under consideration to alter burial methods to accommodate limited operations – shallow burial trenches for example to reduce pits open to rainwater.  We need to have some folks at that meeting.

Ann Timberlake
Executive Director
Conservation Voters of South Carolina
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