[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20692]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Notice of an Amendment to the Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Interim Management of Nuclear Materials at the Savannah River Site

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: On March 17, 1994, the Department of Energy (DOE) published a 
Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
the Interim Management of Nuclear Materials at the Savannah River Site 
(SRS) (59 FR 12588). One type of material to be analyzed in that EIS, 
nitrate solutions of plutonium in tanks in the F-Canyon chemical 
separations facility, has been shown to be capable of presenting a 
significant safety issue if left in its current condition and location. 
Accordingly, DOE has decided to prepare a separate EIS, on an urgent 
schedule, for the proposed stabilization of these F-Canyon plutonium 
solutions.

ADDRESSES: Please direct comments, suggestions, and questions 
concerning the F-Canyon Plutonium Solutions EIS project to: Dr. Karen 
Hooker, NEPA Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah 
River Operations Office, P.O. Box A, Aiken, South Carolina 29802, (803) 
725-3957 or (800) 242-8269.
    Mark the envelopes: ``F-Canyon Plutonium Solutions EIS.''
    For general information on DOE's NEPA process, please contact: Ms. 
Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585, (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For background information on the SRS, and 
for a discussion of the underlying purpose and need for stabilizing 
nuclear materials at the SRS, please refer to the original March 17, 
1994 Notice of Intent (59 FR 12588).
    Since the publication of the Notice of Intent, DOE has determined 
that a potentially significant safety concern exists with plutonium 
solutions in the F-Canyon chemical separations facility. The condition 
of specific plutonium solutions in the F-Canyon chemical separations 
facility warrants consideration of their stabilization in advance of 
any decisions made subsequent to the completion of the Interim 
Management of Nuclear Materials EIS.
    DOE will prepare an EIS on the F-Canyon Plutonium Solutions, 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as 
amended (42 USC 4321 et seq.). The EIS for the balance of the materials 
described in the Notice of Intent will retain the original title, 
``Interim Management of Nuclear Materials.''
    Approximately 85,000 gallons of in-process plutonium solutions 
currently are held in tanks in F-Canyon. Such plutonium solutions 
historically and routinely have been created and treated in the F-
Canyon as in-process materials of SRS production and reprocessing 
programs. However, the solutions currently in storage have been held 
much longer than called for in the original design and routine 
operation of the Canyon. Furthermore, as a result of specific 
manipulations of the solutions' chemistry to maintain safety, the 
solutions are now in a condition not previously envisioned for routine 
operations. These safety-related alterations to solution chemistry have 
prevented an imminent hazard from occurring. However, the operations 
staff of F-Canyon has documented a slow deterioration in solution 
chemistry, which requires continuous vigilance to assure safe storage 
and to avoid potentially severe radiological impacts should an accident 
occur. Therefore, DOE proposes to evaluate alternatives for the 
immediate stabilization of these plutonium solutions.
    The plutonium solutions in F-Canyon include mixtures of plutonium-
239 and uranium-238, as well as simple plutonium-239 solutions. Some of 
these solutions also contain fission products from irradiation in a 
nuclear reactor, as well as naturally occurring products from 
radioactive decay during storage. DOE proposes to stabilize these 
solutions by conversion of the plutonium in solution to a solid state 
as plutonium metal. However, because it is not needed for weapons, the 
chemical purity of the plutonium would be made sufficient only for 
stabilization and safe long-term storage, rather than in compliance 
with purity standards previously set for weapons materials. The entire 
conversion process would take place in existing facilities in the F-
Canyon building.

Proposed Action

    The Department proposes to stabilize the plutonium solutions 
currently within the F-Canyon facility using existing standard 
operating procedures and proven processing capabilities. Based on 
technical and management judgment, DOE believes that these plutonium 
solutions present a safety concern that warrants expeditious processing 
to a more stable and storable form while decisions are made regarding 
interim to long-term disposition of this plutonium. Based on current 
information, the preferred option would be to operate the F-Canyon and 
FB-Line facilities only as may be necessary for stabilization or to 
ensure the safe management of these plutonium solutions.

Alternatives Proposed for Consideration

    DOE will identify and evaluate potential alternatives to the 
expedited stabilization or enhanced safe management of the F-Canyon 
plutonium solutions. Consistent with NEPA's requirement that the ``no 
action'' alternative be considered, DOE will evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts of continuing to manage the F-Canyon plutonium 
solutions in their current form until decisions regarding interim to 
long-term disposition are made.

Comments

    Because the issues to be addressed in the F-Canyon Plutonium 
Solutions EIS were included within the Interim Management of Nuclear 
Materials EIS scoping process, no additional scoping meetings will be 
held. An Implementation Plan will be released shortly that identifies 
the comments received during the previously held public scoping 
process, including those issues related to the F-Canyon Plutonium 
Solutions EIS, and identifies those matters to be addressed in both 
EIS's. All comments received during the scoping process relevant to the 
stabilization of F-Canyon plutonium solutions will be addressed in the 
preparation of the F-Canyon Plutonium Solutions EIS.
    DOE intends to complete the Draft F-Canyon Plutonium Solutions EIS 
in September 1994, and will announce its availability in the Federal 
Register. DOE will solicit comments from the public, organizations, and 
other agencies on the Draft EIS, and will consider all comments in its 
preparation of the Final EIS.

Related Publication

    Copies of the report prepared by DOE as a result of its evaluation 
of the plutonium solutions in F-Canyon, Assessment of Interim Storage 
of Plutonium Solutions in F-Canyon and Mark-31 Targets in L-Basin at 
Savannah River Site (DOE EH-0397P, in two volumes) can be obtained 
from: Sharon A. Root, Manager, Nuclear Safety Information Center (EH-
15), U.S. Department of Energy, Washington DC 20585, Phone: 301/903-
8686, FAX: 301/903-9823.

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 17th day of August, 1994.
Tara O'Toole,
Assistant Secretary, Environment, Safety, and Health.
[FR Doc. 94-20692 Filed 8-22-94; 8:45 am]
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