[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21125]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 26, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Defense 
Waste Processing Facility at the Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability 
of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for the 
Defense Waste Processing Facility (DOE/EIS-0082-S-D) at the Savannah 
River Site, Aiken, South Carolina. The document supplements an EIS that 
DOE issued in 1982 (DOE/EIS-0082) to construct and operate the Defense 
Waste Processing Facility (DWPF). The draft SEIS assesses the potential 
environmental impacts of completing and operating the DWPF, as modified 
since 1982, to immobilize high-level radioactive waste at the Savannah 
River Site by incorporating the waste into borosilicate glass by a 
process called vitrification. The draft SEIS also addresses the 
potential impacts of no action and of alternative pretreatment 
processes for the waste. DOE invites public comments on the draft SEIS, 
and will hold public hearings on the document.

DATES: The public comment period extends through October 11, 1994. 
Written comments regarding the document should be postmarked by that 
date to ensure consideration in preparation of the final SEIS. Comments 
postmarked after that date will be considered to the extent 
practicable. Comments may also be submitted orally or in writing at the 
following public hearings (which will also serve as information 
meetings): September 13, 1994, in Aiken, South Carolina; September 15, 
1994, in Beaufort and Hardeeville, South Carolina and Savannah, 
Georgia; and September 20, 1994, in Allendale, Barnwell and Columbia, 
South Carolina. The locations for these meetings are identified in 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Dr. K.L. Hooker, NEPA 
Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River 
Operations Office, P.O. Box 5031, Aiken, South Carolina 29804-5031, 
Attention: ``DWPF SEIS'', Telephone: (803) 725-9615; or by telephone or 
facsimile through the Information Line (800) 242-8269.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for further information or for copies of the draft SEIS should 
be directed to: Dr. K.L. Hooker, NEPA Compliance Officer, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, P.O. Box 5031, 
Aiken, South Carolina 29804-5031, Attention: ``DWPF SEIS'', Telephone: 
(803) 725-9615 or through the Information Line (800) 242-8269. Requests 
for further information on DOE procedures for complying with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) should be directed to: Ms. 
Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 
20585, Telephone: (202) 586-4600 or leave a message at (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability of Draft Supplemental EIS

    Copies of the draft SEIS have been provided to Federal, State, and 
local agencies, organizations, and individuals known to be interested 
in the Savannah River Site. Additional copies may be obtained by 
contacting Dr. K.L. Hooker at the address given above. The draft SEIS 
and the documents referenced in it are available for public inspection 
at the DOE Reading Room located at the University of South Carolina's 
Aiken-Graniteville Campus Library, 2nd Floor, University Parkway, 
Aiken, South Carolina; and in DOE's Freedom of Information Reading 
Room, Room 1E-190 Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. Copies of the draft SEIS are also available for public 
inspection at many local and regional libraries in Georgia and South 
Carolina.

Invitation To Comment

    Interested parties are invited to provide comments on the draft 
SEIS. DOE will consider written and oral comments equally when 
preparing the final SEIS. Written comments should be sent to Dr. K.L. 
Hooker at the address given above. To be considered in the final SEIS, 
written comments should be postmarked by October 11, 1994; comments 
postmarked after that date will be considered to the extent 
practicable.

Information Meetings and Public Hearings

    Combined information meetings and public hearings on the draft SEIS 
have been scheduled as follows:

September 13, 1994, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 
p.m.:
    Stevenson-McClelland Building, Pendleton Street and Hayne Avenue, 
Aiken, South Carolina 29801

September 15, 1994, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.:
    Boys and Girls Club, 1100 Boundary Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 
29902

September 15, 1994, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.:
    Hardeeville City Hall, 36 East Main Street, Hardeeville, South 
Carolina 29927

September 15, 1994, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.:
    Coastal Georgia Center for Continuing Education, 305 Martin Luther 
King Boulevard, Savannah, Georgia 31401

September 20, 1994, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.:
    Allendale-Fairfax High School, Route 278, Allendale, South Carolina 
29810

September 20, 1994, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.:
    Barnwell County Museum, Marlborough Avenue, Barnwell, South 
Carolina 29812

September 20, 1994, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.:
    Holiday Inn Coliseum, 630 Assembly Street, Columbia, South Carolina 
29201

    Each session will begin with presentations regarding the proposed 
action and an opportunity for discussion and questions by the public. 
After approximately one hour, the formal hearing will begin, and public 
comments will be recorded by a court reporter. The moderator of the 
hearing may ask clarifying questions to ensure that comments are 
understood, but will not across-examine the commenter. Additional 
procedural guidance will be provided by the moderator at the start of 
the hearings. To allow all interested parties an opportunity to speak, 
five minutes will be allotted to each individual or representative of a 
group. More speaking time may be available, depending upon the number 
of people who wish to comment at a specific hearing. Commenters are 
requested to provide DOE with written copies of their oral comments if 
possible. Individuals who wish to preregister to speak at any of the 
hearings may do so by calling (800) 242-8269.
    A transcript of the hearings will be prepared, and DOE will make 
the entire record of the hearings, including the transcript, available 
for public inspection at the DOE reading rooms listed above.

    Issued in Washington, D.C., on August 22, 1994.
Jill E. Lytle,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Waste Management, Environmental 
Management.
[FR Doc. 94-21125 Filed 8-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M