PDFWAC 246-244-240
Notification of incidents, abandonment, and lost sources.
(1) Notification of incidents and sources lost in other than downhole logging operations shall be made in accordance with appropriate provisions of chapter 246-221 WAC.
(2) The licensee shall immediately notify the state of Washington division of radiation protection by telephone ( 206-682-5327) and subsequently within five days by confirmatory letter if:
(a) Licensed material has been lost in or near a fresh water aquifer; or
(b) A sealed source has been ruptured. This notice must designate the well or other location and describe the magnitude and extent of licensed materials, assess the consequences of the loss or rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.
(3) Whenever a sealed source or device containing radioactive material is lodged downhole, the licensee shall:
(a) Monitor the surface for the presence of radioactive contamination with an appropriate radiation survey instrument (not the logging tool itself) during logging tool recovery operations; and
(b) Notify the department immediately by telephone ( 206-682-5327) if radioactive contamination is detected at the surface or if the source appears to be damaged.
(4) When it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the radioactive source will not be successful, the licensee shall:
(a) Notify the department by telephone ( 206-682-5327) of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and—
(i) Obtain department approval to implement abandonment procedures; or
(ii) That the licensee implemented abandonment before receiving department approval because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety; and
(b) Advise the well operator or owner, as appropriate, of the regulations of the state of Washington regarding abandonment, and an appropriate method of abandonment. The licensee shall ensure that such abandonment procedures are implemented within thirty days after the sealed source has been classified as irretrievable or request an extension of time if unable to complete the abandonment procedures; and
(c) File a written report with the department within thirty days of the abandonment, including a copy to each appropriate state or federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drilling operation, setting forth the following information:
(i) Date and time of occurrence and a brief description of attempts to recover the source;
(ii) A description of the radioactive source(s) involved, including radionuclide, quantity, make, model and serial number, and chemical and physical form;
(iii) Surface location and identification of well;
(iv) Results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;
(v) Depth of the radioactive source in meters or feet;
(vi) Depth to the top of cement plug in meters or feet;
(vii) Depth of the well in meters or feet;
(viii) The immediate threat to public health and safety justification for implementing abandonment if prior departmental approval was not obtained in accordance with subsection (4)(a)(ii) of this section;
(ix) Any other information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent identification plaque; and
(x) State and federal agencies receiving a copy of this report.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050. WSR 03-12-062, § 246-244-240, filed 6/2/03, effective 7/3/03; WSR 98-13-037, § 246-244-240, filed 6/8/98, effective 7/9/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050 and 70.98.080. WSR 91-15-112 (Order 184), § 246-244-240, filed 7/24/91, effective 8/24/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-244-240, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.080. WSR 87-01-031 (Order 2450), § 402-38-500, filed 12/11/86.]