Title: |
Vegetation Sampling and Management |
Publication date: |
6/26/2013 |
Effective date: |
6/26/2013 |
BRIEF
Policy Summary
Only trees in which tritium levels are not distinguishable from regional background levels may be removed from the Berkeley Lab site.
Who Should Read This Policy
Berkeley Lab Facilities employees, construction subcontractors, and their supervisors who:
- Manage or perform tree trimming or cutting or
- Plan construction projects that require tree trimming or cutting
To Read the Full Policy, Go To:
The POLICY tab on this wiki page
To Read the ES&H Program, Go To:
http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH59.html
Contact Information
Vegetation Sampling (for Radioactivity) Subject Matter Expert
Environmental Services Group
EHS Division
Title: |
Vegetation Sampling and Management |
Publication date: |
6/26/2013 |
Effective date: |
6/26/2013 |
POLICY
A. Purpose
The Vegetation Sampling and Management Program at Berkeley Lab ensures that tritium-contaminated trees are not removed from the Berkeley Lab site.
B. Persons Affected
Berkeley Lab Facilities employees, construction subcontractors, and their supervisors who:
- Manage or perform tree trimming or cutting or
- Plan construction projects that require tree trimming or cutting
C. Exceptions
If analytical results show tritium levels that are not distinguishable from regional background levels in a tree within the area where tree removal is restricted, then that tree may be removed from the Berkeley Lab site (DOE Berkeley Site Office, 1999).
D. Policy Statement
- Only trees in which tritium levels are not distinguishable from regional background levels may be removed from the Berkeley Lab site.
- A flowchart of the process for assessing potentially contaminated trees is shown in Work Process A, General Requirements and Flowchart.
- The map showing the area where trees may not be removed is shown in Work Process B, Map of Restricted Area Where Trees May Not Be Removed.
E. Roles and Responsibilities
Role | Responsibilities |
Supervisors |
|
Employees |
|
Environmental Services Group |
|
F. Definitions/Acronyms
Term | Definition |
Environmental monitoring |
The collection and analysis of environmental samples or direct measurements of environmental media. Environmental monitoring consists of three major activities: effluent monitoring, environmental surveillance, and meteorological monitoring. |
Regional background |
Tritium levels in trees in the region beyond the influence of Berkeley Lab activities, which are typically less than the lowest activity the analytical laboratory can detect |
Restricted area |
An area surrounding Building 75 where tritium levels in trees exceed the regional background (and where tree removal is restricted) |
Unauthorized tree removal |
Removing trees or wood chips from the restricted area without obtaining confirmation from the Environmental Services Group that tritium levels in the trees are not distinguishable from regional background levels |
G. Recordkeeping Requirements
Supervisors must ensure that vegetation management activities are performed within acceptable operating standards and that any required records are current.
H. Implementing Documents
Document number |
Other Reference Number |
Title |
Type |
07.09.009.001 |
N/A |
Vegetation Sampling and Management |
Program |
07.09.009.002 |
N/A |
Work Process A, General Requirements and Flowchart |
Process |
07.09.009.003 |
N/A |
Work Process B, Map of Restricted Area Where Trees May Not Be Removed |
Process |
N/A |
ESG Procedure 270 |
Assessing Tritium in Trees for Removal |
Procedure |
N/A |
ESG Procedure 266 |
Soil, Sediment, and Vegetation Sampling |
Procedure |
N/A |
LBL-27170 |
Site Environmental Report (most recent) |
Report |
I. Contact Information
Vegetation Sampling (for Radioactivity) Subject Matter Expert
Environmental Services Group
EHS Division
J. Revision History
Date |
Revision |
By whom |
Revision Description |
Section(s) affected |
Change Type |
1/2/2012 |
0 |
Pauer |
Rewrite for wiki (brief) |
All |
Minor |
6/26/2013 |
1 |
Wahl |
Rewrite for wiki (policy) |
All |
Minor |
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
Title: |
Vegetation Sampling and Management |
Document number |
07.09.009.000 |
Revision number |
1 |
Publication date: |
6/26/2013 |
Effective date: |
6/26/2013 |
Next review date: |
6/26/2016 |
Policy Area: |
Environmental Protection Program |
RPM Section (home) |
ESH |
RPM Section (cross-reference) |
None |
Functional Division |
EHS |
Prior reference information (optional) |
PUB-3000 Section 11.3.6 moved to Chapter 59 |
Source Requirements Documents
- Department of Energy, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment, DOE Order 458.1 (June 6, 2011)
Other Driving Requirements
- Nolan, Richard H. "Tree and Vegetation Management Program," memo from DOE Berkeley Site Office to David McGraw, EH&S Division Director, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (April 5, 1999)
- LBNL Environmental Monitoring Plan (most recent)
Implementing Documents
Document number |
Other Reference Number |
Title |
Type |
07.09.009.001 |
N/A |
Vegetation Sampling and Management |
Program |
07.09.009.002 |
N/A |
Work Process A, General Requirements and Flowchart |
Process |
07.09.009.003 |
N/A |
Work Process B, Map of Restricted Area Where Trees May Not Be Removed |
Process |
N/A |
ESG Procedure 270 |
Assessing Tritium in Trees for Removal |
Procedure |
N/A |
ESG Procedure 266 |
Soil, Sediment, and Vegetation Sampling |
Procedure |
N/A |
LBL-27170 |
Site Environmental Report (most recent) |
Report |