[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 23117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10642]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment 
Addendum for Disposition of Additional Waste at the Paducah Gaseous 
Diffusion Plant

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), announces the availability of 
the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum for Disposition of 
Additional Waste at the Paducah Site (DOE/EA-1339A) for public review 
and comment. The Draft EA Addendum has been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as 
amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); Council on Environmental 
Quality regulations implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508; and DOE 
NEPA Implementing Procedures, 10 CFR part 1021.
    The Draft EA Addendum evaluates the potential environmental impacts 
associated with transportation of waste to disposal facilities at 
various locations throughout the United States. The Draft EA Addendum 
also evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the 
no action alternative and enhanced on-site storage alternative.
    The public is invited to comment on the Draft EA Addendum during 
the public comment period. All comments received will be considered in 
preparation of the final EA Addendum. Late comments will be considered 
to the extent practicable.

DATES: The review period for the Draft EA Addendum begins May 4, 2003, 
and ends June 4 or 14 days from the date of this notice, whichever is 
later. Comments postmarked after that date will be considered to the 
extent practicable. One public meeting to discuss issues and receive 
oral comments on the Draft EA Addendum will be held on May 13, 2003, at 
6 p.m. C.D.T. at the DOE Environmental Information Center, Barkley 
Centre, 115 Memorial Drive, in Paducah, Kentucky. The public meeting 
will provide the public with an opportunity to present comments, ask 
questions, and discuss concerns with DOE officials regarding the Draft 
EA Addendum. Specific information regarding the public meeting can be 
obtained by calling 1-270-441-5204, writing to the address above, or 
electronically.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EA Addendum may be submitted by mail: 
U.S. Department of Energy, Paducah Site Office, Attn: Mr. Gary 
Bodenstein, PO Box 1410, Paducah, KY 42001, by fax (1-270-441-6801), or 
electronically ([email protected]).
    Copies of the Draft EA Addendum may also be obtained by contacting 
Mr. Gary Bodenstein by any of the means described above. The Draft EA 
Addendum is available for review at the U.S. Department of Energy 
Environmental Information Center, Barkley Center, 115 Memorial Drive, 
in Paducah, Kentucky. The Draft EA Addendum is also available for 
review at the U.S. Department of Energy Public Reading Room at 230 
Warehouse Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the DOE 
NEPA process, please 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, 
or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EA Addendum is tiered from the recently 
completed Environmental Assessment for Waste Disposition Activities at 
the Paducah Site, Paducah Kentucky, DOE/EA-1339. The Draft EA Addendum 
evaluates DOE's proposed disposition activities for legacy and future-
generated low-level waste from the Paducah Site in Paducah, Kentucky. 
The EA Addendum is needed because DOE has identified 17,600 
m3 of additional low-level waste currently stored at the 
Paducah Site that needs to be dispositioned. The additional waste would 
be transported to various disposal locations throughout the United 
States by truck, rail, or inter-modal shipment. Off-site treatment and 
disposal locations for waste disposition include facilities in Nevada, 
Utah, Texas, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The Draft EA 
Addendum also evaluates the no action alternative. Under this 
alternative, DOE would not perform disposition activities except for 
those needed for standard waste management and maintenance. No disposal 
of the existing and projected quantities of waste would occur. DOE 
would continue to store such waste. Ongoing non-Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act waste 
management operations would continue. The Draft EA Addendum also 
evaluates the alternative of enhanced on-site storage of the waste.

David R. Allen,
NEPA Compliance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-10642 Filed 4-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M