Section 351.770  Notification of Incidents and Lost Sources; Abandonment Procedures for Irretrievable Sources

a)         The licensee shall immediately notify the Agency by telephone and, subsequently within 30 days, by confirmation in writing, using an appropriate method listed in 32 Ill. Adm. Code 310.110, if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured. The written confirmation shall designate the well or other location, describe the magnitude and extent of the escape of licensed material, assess the consequences of the rupture, and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

b)         The licensee shall notify the Agency of the theft or loss of radioactive material, radiation overexposures, excessive levels and concentrations of radiation, and certain other accidents as required by 32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1205, 340.1210, 34.1220, and 340.1230.

c)         If a sealed source becomes lodged in a well, and when it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the sealed source will not be successful, the licensee shall:

1)         Notify the Agency by telephone at (217) 782-7860 of the circumstances that resulted in the inability to retrieve the source and:

A)        Obtain Agency approval to implement abandonment procedures; or

B)        Explain that the licensee implemented abandonment procedures before receiving Agency approval because the licensee believed there was an immediate threat to public health and safety;

2)         Advise the well owner or operator, as appropriate, of the abandonment procedures under subsection 351.150(a) or (c); and

3)         Either ensure that abandonment procedures are implemented within 30 days after the sealed source has been classified as irretrievable or request an extension of time if unable to complete the abandonment procedures.

d)         The licensee shall, within 30 days after a sealed source has been classified as irretrievable, make a report in writing to the Agency. The licensee shall send a copy of the report to each appropriate State or federal agency that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drilling operation. The report shall contain the following information:

1)         Date of occurrence;

2)         A description of the irretrievable well logging source involved, including radionuclide, quantity, and chemical and physical form;

3)         Surface location and identification of well;

4)         Results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place;

5)         A brief description of the attempted recovery effort;

6)         Depth of the radioactive source;

7)         Depth of the top of the cement plug;

8)         Depth of the well;

9)         The immediate threat to public health and safety justification for implementing abandonment if prior Agency approval was not obtained under subsection (c)(1)(A);

10)       Any other information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent identification plaque; and

11)       A list of the State and federal agencies receiving a copy of this report.