TICABOO, Garfield County -- U.S. Energy Corp. officials are gearing up to revive uranium mining and milling near this small eastern Garfield County community 10 miles north of Lake Powell's Bullfrog Marina.

But one legal hurdle remains, and company officials also need to see a better price for their product."We're trying to get our ducks in order for when the market turns," said Hal Herron, vice president of the small, publicly traded company in Riverton, Wyo.

He believes "the market is coming." But, taking issue with that is Preston Truman, head of the citizen/watchdog group the Downwinders, claiming "the market just plain isn't there for another uranium mill in Utah or anyplace else."

Truman, a former member of the Utah Board of Radiation Control, believes Russia and other countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union have stockpiled huge supplies of uranium. He predicts that "if prices go up, they will flood the market."

The Downwinder says he fears the mill would shift its operation to process certain radioactive wastes that can be processed to extract uranium, noting this is less expensive than sending it to a disposal facility. A uranium mill in San Juan County has remained in operation by this type of process, and environmentalists have voiced concern that the Blanding mill may become transformed into a waste disposal facility rather that a uranium mill.

But owners of the Shoot-A-Ring Canyon Uranium Mill are still optimistic that it will ultimately reopen. They are awaiting the final authorization hurdle of obtaining a permit from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. And Herron expects that to be forthcoming within several weeks.

The mill was the last to be built in the United States and operated for only two months before the price of uranium plummeted in 1982. It has been maintained on a "stand by" condition since that time, however.

About 80 people crowded into the small Ticaboo High School in mid-February to attend a public hearing relative to ground water protection, which is necessary in order to get a permit. Nearly all favored the mill getting into operation again.

State Rep. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, said it could save the local economy, and Garfield County Commissioner Louise Listen said "it will revitalize our economy."

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The basis for a permit is the Utah Water Quality Act, designed to prevent, abate and control the pollution of state waters, according to Rob Herbert, hydro geologist with the state's Division of Radiation Control. He said a siting study was completed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to determine the best location for a water impoundment.

The impoundment is in a natural basin which captures a very small watershed of only 220 acres. Herbert noted that the area has an arid climate with very low precipitation and very high evaporation. The impoundment will contain three main cells with seven sub cells. A double-liner system with leak detection is included in the design.

The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the lead agency for radiologic issues for the mill, but Utah has authority over its ground water. The NRC therefore deferred the design and review of the tailings impoundment liner system to the state to avoid dual regulation.

The mill's owner will be required to submit semi-annual ground water monitoring reports and semi-annual liner performance reports. An annual hydro geologic update will also be required and the state will be notified regarding future construction.

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