[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45104-45107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16946]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Disposal of 
Immobilized Low-Activity Wastes From Hanford Tank Waste Processing

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to 
prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (Supplemental 
EIS) to the Tank Waste Remediation System, Hanford Site, Richland, 
Washington, Final Environmental Impact Statement (TWRS EIS, DOE/EIS-
0189, August 1996). The TWRS EIS evaluated alternatives for the 
disposal of mixed, radioactive, and hazardous waste stored or projected 
to be stored in 177 underground storage tanks and approximately 60 
active and inactive miscellaneous underground storage tanks associated 
with the Hanford Site's tank farm operations. The TWRS EIS also 
evaluated alternatives for the management and disposal of approximately 
1,930 cesium and strontium capsules stored at the Hanford Site. This 
EIS included analyses of on-site disposal of immobilized (vitrified) 
low-activity waste resulting from chemical separation of the Hanford 
tank wastes. In its Record of Decision (62 FR 8693, February 1997), DOE 
decided on the Phased Implementation Alternative, to chemically 
separate and vitrify high-level and low-activity wastes retrieved from 
the tanks. In Phase I, the immobilized low-activity waste would be 
placed in near-surface, retrievable disposal vaults on-site. DOE is now 
reconsidering the type of disposal facility for the immobilized low-
activity waste, the location of this disposal facility on the Site, and 
the physical form of the vitrified low-activity waste product. 
Accordingly, DOE invites public comment on the scope of the 
Supplemental EIS that would evaluate potential changes in the 
Department's plans.

DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this 
Notice and extends through August 26, 2002. DOE invites all interested 
parties to submit written comments or suggestions during the scoping 
period. Written comments must be postmarked by August 26, 2002 and 
submitted to the DOE document manager (see ADDRESSES below). Comments 
postmarked after that date will be considered to the extent 
practicable.
    Oral and written comments will be received at a public scoping 
meeting to be held on the date and at the location given below: 
Richland, Washington, August 20, 2002, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Red Lion 
Hanford House, Benton-Franklin Room, 802 George Washington Way, 
Richland, WA 99352.
    For further information, see Public Scoping Meetings under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION below.

ADDRESSES: Address comments on the scope of the Supplemental EIS to the 
DOE Document Manager: Ms. Gae M. Neath, U.S. Department of Energy, Post

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Office Box 450, Mail Stop H6-60, Richland, WA 99352, Electronic Mail: 
[email protected], Telephone: (509) 376-7828.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the TWRS EIS 
or the Supplemental EIS, contact Ms. Neath as described above. For 
information on DOE's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, 
contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and 
Compliance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: 202-586-4600, Facsimile: 
(202) 586-7031, or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756 (toll free).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal government established the 
Hanford Site, near Richland, Washington, in 1943, to produce plutonium 
for national defense as part of the Manhattan Project. Metallic uranium 
fuel was irradiated in nuclear reactors, and then the fuel was 
chemically processed to recover plutonium. Plutonium production at the 
Hanford Site stopped in 1988.

Tank Wastes at the Hanford Site

    Processing reactor fuel and related activities at the Hanford Site 
created a wide variety of radioactive wastes that have been stored in 
177 underground tanks. Typically, the tank wastes are highly 
radioactive and mixed with hazardous waste.
    There are 149 single-shell tanks storing about 125.7 million liters 
(ML) (33.2 million gallons (Mgal)) of waste at the Hanford Site. Single 
shell tanks have one steel wall, surrounded by reinforced concrete; 
they were constructed between 1944 and 1964 with a design life of 20 to 
30 years. The single-shell tanks received waste from chemical 
processing until 1980. The capacity of most single-shell tanks is 1.9 
ML to 3.8 ML (0.5 Mgal to 1.0 Mgal). The tanks are located under ground 
and are covered with 1.8 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) of earth. These 
tanks contain radioactive liquids, saltcake, and sludge. About half of 
the single-shell tanks have leaked or are assumed to have leaked. 
Approximately 3.9 ML (1.0 Mgal) of waste has leaked or spilled into the 
nearby soil. Over the years, much of the liquid stored in single-shell 
tanks has been evaporated or pumped to double-shell tanks as part of 
DOE's Interim Tank Stabilization Program to prevent further leakage.
    There are twenty-eight 3.9 ML (1.0 Mgal) double-shell tanks at 
Hanford. The double-shell tanks were constructed between 1970 and 1986. 
Most of these tanks are designed for up to 50 years of storage. They 
are similar to the single-shell tanks, but double-shell tanks have a 
second steel containment wall. The space between the two walls is 
monitored for leaks, and none of the double-shell tanks has been known 
to leak. The double-shell tanks are used to treat and store a variety 
of liquid radioactive wastes from the single-shell tanks and from 
various Hanford Site processes. The double-shell tanks now contain 
about 79.5 ML (21.0 Mgal) of waste.

Tank Waste Remediation System Environmental Impact Statement

    The TWRS EIS addressed the management, treatment, storage, and 
disposal of the waste currently stored in the existing tanks and other 
wastes that may be generated during future decontamination and 
decommissioning activities at Hanford. The scope of the EIS included 
safe operations, waste retrieval, and treatment and disposal of tank 
waste. The EIS also addressed the management of approximately 1930 
radioactive cesium and strontium capsules. The EIS evaluated 10 tank 
waste alternatives and 4 alternatives for managing the cesium and 
strontium capsules. The tank waste alternatives included a No Action 
Alternative and a range of action alternatives that involved varying 
degrees of tank waste retrieval and chemical separation of high-level 
and low-activity wastes. In all of the alternatives involving chemical 
separation of tank wastes, the high-level waste would be vitrified and 
stored until it could be shipped to a potential geologic repository. 
The low-activity waste would be immobilized and placed into near-
surface concrete (grout) vaults on site.
    The TWRS EIS Record of Decision (TWRS ROD) selected the 
Department's Preferred Alternative, the Phased Implementation 
Alternative, and deferred a decision on the cesium and strontium 
capsules. During Phase I (demonstration phase) of the Phased 
Implementation Alternative, DOE would retrieve a portion of the waste 
from the tanks and chemically separate the low-activity and high-level 
wastes. Demonstration-scale waste treatment facilities would be 
designed, constructed, and operated to immobilize tank waste. DOE also 
decided that immobilized low-activity waste would be prepared for 
future on site disposal in existing grout vaults. The phased approach 
would allow DOE to use the lessons learned from the demonstration phase 
to improve the design, construction, and operations of full-scale 
facilities constructed during Phase II.
    In accordance with the TWRS ROD, DOE has continued to evaluate new 
information pertinent to Hanford tank waste remediation and is now 
reconsidering aspects of Phase I implementation for low-activity waste. 
Specifically, DOE is now considering a different type of disposal 
facility, a different on-site disposal location, and a different 
physical form of the vitrified low-activity waste product than were 
originally analyzed in the TWRS EIS. Accordingly, DOE has decided to 
prepare a Supplemental EIS.

Proposed Action

    DOE proposes to dispose of immobilized low-activity waste generated 
from the retrieval and treatment of tank wastes at the Hanford Site in 
near-surface trenches located in the 200 East Area of the Hanford Site. 
This proposal represents a change in DOE's decision in the TWRS ROD to 
retrievably dispose of low-activity wastes in concrete vaults.
    The proposed low-activity waste form also is different from the 
Phased Implementation Alternative, under which tank waste would be 
immobilized in vitrified cullet, produced by quenching the molten glass 
in water following vitrification, resulting in gravel-sized pieces of 
glass. DOE proposes instead to immobilize low-activity waste in 
monoliths, produced by casting the molten glass into a canister, 
resulting in a single encased piece of glass.
    In accordance with the TWRS ROD, DOE will continue to evaluate new 
information relative to the tank waste remediation program. As this 
information becomes available, DOE may consider new treatment 
technologies and would conduct further NEPA review as appropriate.

Preliminary Alternatives

Disposal of Immobilized Low-Activity Waste in Near-Surface Engineered 
Systems (i.e., Trenches) in the 200 East Area of the Hanford Site

    This alternative reflects current DOE planning for disposal of 
immobilized low-activity waste generated from tank waste retrieval and 
chemical separation. The immobilized low-activity waste would be placed 
in sealed containers, and disposed of in lined trenches with leachate 
collection systems in the 200 East Area of the Hanford Site. DOE will 
evaluate the impacts associated with the disposal of immobilized low-
activity waste in trenches and closing and capping the trenches with a 
range of barriers.

[[Page 45106]]

Disposal of Immobilized Low-Activity Waste in Near-Surface Engineered 
Systems (i.e., Trenches) in the 200 West Area of the Hanford Site

    Under this alternative, the immobilized low-activity waste would be 
placed in sealed containters and disposed of in lined trenches with 
leachate collection systems at a representative site in the 200 West 
Area of the Hanford Site. DOE will evaluate the impacts associated with 
the disposal of the low-activity waste in trenches and closing and 
capping the trenches with a range of barriers.

No Action Alternative

    In the Supplemental EIS, the No Action Alternative will be the 
Phased Implementation Alternative selected in the TWRS EIS ROD. Under 
this alternative, DOE would implement its previous decision concerning 
immobilized low-activity waste: retrievable disposal of the low-
activity waste in concrete vaults located at the Hanford Site. The 
analysis of this alternative would be updated with information that has 
become available since the TWRS EIS was published to ensure an 
appropriate comparison among alternatives.

Preliminary Issues Identified for Analysis

    The following issues have been preliminarily identified for 
analysis in the Supplemental EIS. This list is presented to facilitate 
public comment on the scope of the Supplemental EIS and is not intended 
to be all-inclusive or to predetermine the potential impacts of any of 
the alternatives.
    (1) Potential effects on the public and onsite workers from 
releases of radiological and nonradiological materials during normal 
operations and from reasonably forseeable accidents;
    (2) Pollution prevention and waste minimization;
    (3) Potential effects on air and water quality and other 
environmental consequences of normal operations and potential 
accidents;
    (4) Potential cumulative effects of operations at the Hanford Site, 
including relevant impacts from past, present, and reasonably 
foreseeable activities at the Site;
    (5) Potential effects on endangered species, floodplain/wetlands, 
archaeological/historical sites;
    (6) Potential long-term effects on groundwater, surface water, and 
human health;
    (7) Effects from normal transportation and postulated 
transportation accidents;
    (8) Potential socioeconomic impacts on surrounding communities;
    (9) Unavoidable adverse environmental effects;
    (10) Short-term uses of the environment versus long-term 
productivity;
    (11) Potential irretrievable and irreversible commitment of 
resources.

Cooperating Agency

    The Hanford Communities, a Washington State intergovernmental group 
representing the local communities of Richland, West Richland, 
Kennewick, and Pasco, Benton County, and the Port of Benton, is a 
cooperating agency in the preparation of this Supplemental EIS.

Public Scoping Meeting

    DOE invites the public to attend a scoping meeting at which 
comments may be presented on the scope of the Supplemental EIS. Oral 
and written comments will be considered equally in preparation of the 
Supplemental EIS. Oral and written comments will be received at the 
public scoping meeting as stated under DATES above.
    DOE will begin the scoping meeting with a short presentation on the 
Supplemental EIS process, the proposed action, preliminary 
alternatives, and other related information. Individuals and 
organizations will then be invited to present comments. Requests to 
speak at the public meetings may be made by calling or writing to the 
DOE document manager (see ADDRESSES above). Registered speakers will be 
heard on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests to speak made at 
the meeting will be honored as time permits. Written comments will be 
accepted at the meeting. Speakers are encouraged to provide written 
versions of their oral comments for the record.
    A moderator will conduct the meeting. DOE staff and the moderator 
may ask speakers clarifying questions. Individuals speaking on behalf 
of an organization must identify the organization. Each speaker will be 
allowed five minutes to present comments unless more time is available. 
Comments will be recorded by a court reporter and will become part of 
the scoping meeting record. A question and answer period will be held 
after speakers have had an opportunity to speak.

Related NEPA Documentation

    Other NEPA documents that may be relevant to the Supplemental EIS 
include:
    (1) Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Tank Waste 
Remediation System, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington, DOE/EIS-0189, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 1996, Record of Decision 
issued February 1997, and Supplement Analyses 1 (June 1997), 2 (May 
1998), and 3 (March 2001).
    (2) Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Safe Interim 
Storage of Hanford Tank Wastes, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington, 
DOE/EIS-0212, 1995, Record of Decision issued November 1995, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Richland, Washington.
    (3) Final Environmental Impact Statement for Disposal of Hanford 
Defense High-Level Transuranic and Tank Wastes, Hanford Site, Richland, 
Washington, DOE/EIS-0113, 1987, Record of Decision issued April 1988, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC.
    (4) Final Environmental Statement for Waste Management Operations, 
Hanford Reservation, Richland, Washington, ERDA-1538, 1975. U.S. Energy 
Research and Development Administration, Washington, DC.
    (5) Final Environmental Impact Statement for Hanford Comprehensive 
Land Use Plan, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington, DOE/EIS-0222, 1999, 
Record of Decision issued November 1999, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Washington, DC.
    (6) Waste Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, 
DOE/EIS-0200, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC, May 1997. DOE 
published Records of Decision: TRU Treatment January 1998; Hazardous 
Waste Treatment August 1998; High-Level Waste Storage August 1999; Low-
Level and Mixed Low-Level Waste, February 2000.
    (7) Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Hanford Site Solid 
(Radioactive and Hazardous) Waste Program, DOE/EIS-0286, April 2002, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, Washington.
    (8) Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Idaho High-Level Waste 
and Facilities Disposition, DOE/EIS-0287, January 2001, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Washington, DC.
    (9) Draft SEPA Environmental Impact Statement for Commercial Low-
Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Site (US Ecology) on the Hanford Site, 
August 2000, Washington Department of Ecology, Olympia, Washington.
    (10) Environmental Assessments.
     Trench 33 Widening in 218-W-5 Low-Level Burial Ground, 
DOE/EA-1203, FONSI July 1997;
     Widening Trench 36 of the 218-E-12B Low-Level Burial 
Ground, DOE/EA-1276, FONSI February 1999;

[[Page 45107]]

     Use of Existing Borrow Areas, Hanford Site, Richland, 
Washington, DOE/EA-1403, FONSI October 2001;
     Transuranic Waste Retrieval from the 218-W-4B and 218-W-4C 
Low-Level Burial Grounds, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington, DOE/EA-
1405, FONSI March 2002.

    Issued in Washington, DC on June 28, 2002.
Beverly A. Cook,
Assistant Secretary, Office of Environment, Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 02-16946 Filed 7-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P