CSMRI BECAME OPERATOR OF A METALLURGICAL EXPERIMENTAL PLANT AT THE SITE IN 1949 AND OPERATED UNTIL 1985 WHEN OPERATIONS CEASED. SERVICES AT THE SITE INCLUDED ORE PROCESSING, ORE CRUSHING, GRINDING, FLOATATION, FIRE ASSAY, SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND FUNACE OPERATIONS. WASTE MATERIALS FROM THIS WORK INCLUDE LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, LEAD, ARSENIC, AND OTHER HEAVY METALS. REMOVAL ACTIONS BEGAN AT THE SITE IN JANUARY 1992 IN RESPONSE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK. WATER FLOWED ACROSS THE SITE AND INTO A CONTAMINANT-FILLED TAILINGS POND CAUSING THE POND TO OVERFLOW INTO CLEAR CREEK. EPA EXCAVATED AND STOCKPILED SOILS AND SEDIMENTS ON-SITE AND IMPLEMENTED DUST/EROSION CONTROL. OTHER RESPONSE ACTIVITIES BY EPA INCLUDE THE DECONTAMINATION OF LABORATORY DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN 17 BUILDINGS, CONSOLIDATION OF DRUM WASTES AND TESTING AND DISPOSAL OF COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS. WHILE THE IMMEDIATE CONCERN HAS BEEN ALLEVIATED, THE CURRENTLY STAGED RADIOACTIVE WASTE PILE PROVIDES ONLY A SHORT-TERM REMEDY. DUE TO THE LONG UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE LAND USES, THIS WASTE PRESENTS A CONTINUING HEALTH THREAT.