F-Area Tank Farm

Nuclear Waste Operations/Disposal

Savannah River Site

Savannah River Mission Completion

Name: Lisa Amidon

Telephone No.: (803) 208-8592

Name: Johnson, Rhonda Amanda

Telephone No.: (706) 840-2388

Name: John Lowery

Date: 07/22/2025

  1. Occurrence Report Number: EM-SR--SRMC-FTANK-2025-0003

      Legacy Contamination, Wasp Nest in Controlled Area

  2. Report Type and Date: FINAL

Report Level: I

  5. Secretarial Office: EM - Environmental Management

  6. System, Bldg., or Equipment: 241-127F

  7. UCNI?: No

  Reviewed for Public Release:

  8. Plant Area: F-Area Tank Farm

9. Date and Time Discovered:     07/03/2025    13:51  (ETZ)

10. Date and Time Categorized:     07/03/2025    20:25  (ETZ)

11. DOE HQ OC Notification:

12. Other Notifications:

13. Subject or Title of Occurrence:

      Legacy Contamination, Wasp Nest in Controlled Area

6B(4) - Identification of onsite legacy radioactive contamination greater than 10 times the total contamination values in 10 CFR Part 835 Appendix D, exclusive of footnote 3 to Appendix D, and that is found outside of the following locations: areas routinely posted, controlled, and monitored for contamination; and areas controlled in accordance with 10 CFR Section 835.1102(c); and, per 10 CFR Section 835.604(a), any non posted area that is under the continual observation and control of an individual empowered to implement access and exposure control measures. For tritium, the reporting threshold is 10 times the removable contamination values in 10 CFR Part 835, Appendix D.

Radiological Control Operation (RCO)discovered a wasp nest on a stanchion near 241-127F (adjacent to Tank 17) in a Controlled Area. The wasp nest was sprayed to kill the wasps. RCO probed the nest and discovered it was probing 100,000 dpm/100 cm2 beta/gamma. This contamination level is greater than 10 times the total contamination values in 10 CFR 835 Appendix D. The wasp nest is considered onsite legacy radioactive contamination not related to a loss of contamination control. The delay in reporting was to allow time for reviewing previous wildlife contamination for consistency in reporting criteria.

Evaluation: No further action required in the field.

Delay in reporting per Manual 9B Procedure 1-0 Attachment 8.1, was due to time needed to investigate previous contaminated wasp circumstances and gather information
for ORPS criteria evaluation.

Impact: There is no impact from event on other activities and operations.

The wasp nest was sprayed to kill wasps, then bagged as radiological waste. The ground and surrounded area did not have any contamination.

      5) Provide Feedback and Continuous Improvement

2025-CTS-006827

EM-SR--SRR-HTANK-2017-0010
EM-SR--SRR-HTANK-2021-000