Read Me File For Plate IX and Associated GIS Layers*:
Uranium Occurrences in Vermont
(This read me file written by: Jonathan Kim, Vermont Geological Survey, August 2002)

Required Files

Vt mwu.dbf, Vt mwu.shp, Vt mwu.shx
MRDS usitesii.dbf, MRDS usitesii.shp, MRDS usitesii.shx

        These are GIS point coverages of places where uranium has been reported on the ground. Vt mwu.shp are locations where McHone and Wagener (1980) identified uranium on the ground based on geophysical and geochemical techniques as part of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE). The McHone and Wagener (1980) uranium occurrences were made into a point coverage in PC Arcinfo from original latitudes and longitudes.

Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS) usitesii.shp are locations uranium or thorium occurrences or prospects have been reported as compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS). The MRDS was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Vermont Geological Survey. Many of the locations are common between the McHone and Wagener (1980) and MRDS datasets. The MRDS database for Vermont was received from the U.S. Geological Survey and the uranium and thorium occurrences in this dataset were selected out and made into a shape file.

Geodetic Information NAD 83 Vermont Stateplane coordinates (Zone 5526) in meters

References
McHone, J.G. and Wagener, H.D., 1980, Uranium Resource Evaluation, Glens Falls Quadrangle New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Grand Junction, Colorado, 40 p..

Mineral Resource Data System for Vermont, U.S. Geological Survey digital database.


The only way to determine with certainty if groundwater from a particular well has elevated radionuclide levels is to have the water tested by a certified lab. The Vermont Department of Health recommends that all private well owners test their wells for naturally-occurring alpha radiation every 5 years http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/ph_lab/water_test.aspx#two. This map should not be used as a replacement for detailed, site-specific studies by competent technical personnel.

This map (and the other eight maps in this series) displays geological and geophysical data compiled from surveys conducted at various times over several decades. The information used in preparing the map(s) represents the best data possessed by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources at the time of production. The data is subject to revision at any time and the map user should contact the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to determine whether there have been any changes in the data on which the map was based.

Although every effort has been made to faithfully portray the information from the surveys, the Agency of Natural Resources cannot vouch for the accuracy of the data on which the map(s) was based. No warranty as to the accuracy or the usefulness of the data on the map(s) is expressed or implied.

*GIS Data available from Vermont Geological Survey, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont 05671, 802/241-3608