[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50176-50180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18535]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Decommissioning of the Fast Flux Test Facility at the Hanford Site, 
Richland, WA

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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[[Page 50177]]

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), on proposed 
decommissioning of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) at the Hanford 
Site, Richland, Washington. DOE proposes to decommission the FFTF and 
its support buildings on the Hanford Site. Alternatives to be analyzed 
will include no action, entombment, and removal.

DATES: DOE invites public comments on the proposed scope of this EIS. 
The public scoping period begins with the publication of this notice 
and concludes October 8, 2004. DOE invites Federal agencies, Native 
American Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and the public to 
comment on the scope of this EIS. To ensure consideration, comments 
must be postmarked by Friday, October 8, 2004. Late comments will be 
considered to the extent practicable. Two public scoping meetings will 
be held to provide the public with an opportunity to ask questions on 
the scope of the EIS, discuss concerns with DOE officials, and present 
comments. The locations, dates, and times for the meetings are as 
follows: Wednesday, September 22, 2004, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., at the Red 
Lion Inn--Hanford House, 802 George Washington Way, Richland, 
Washington 99352; and on Thursday, September 30, 2004, from 7 p.m.-10 
p.m., at the Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Boulevard, Idaho Falls, Idaho 
83402.

ADDRESSES: Comments or suggestions on the scope for the EIS and 
questions concerning the proposed action may be submitted to: Mr. 
Douglas H. Chapin, NEPA Document Manager, FFTF Decommissioning EIS, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office, Post Office Box 
550, Mail Stop A3-04, Richland, Washington, 99352. You may also leave a 
message at (888) 886-0821, send a fax to (509) 376-0177, or an e-mail 
to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about FFTF, to 
request information about this EIS and the public scoping meetings, or 
to be placed on the EIS distribution list, please contact Mr. Chapin 
using any of the methods identified above. For general information 
about 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 20585-0119, 
telephone: (202) 586-4600, or leave a message at (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The FFTF is a DOE-owned, 400-megawatt (thermal) liquid-
metal (sodium) cooled nuclear test reactor located on the DOE Hanford 
Site's 400 Area near Richland, Washington. FFTF full-scale operations 
were conducted between 1982 and 1992. DOE operated FFTF as a non-
breeder test reactor for the U.S. liquid metal fast breeder reactor 
program testing advanced nuclear fuels, materials, components, and 
reactor safety designs. DOE also conducted ancillary experimental 
activities including cooperative international research and irradiation 
to produce a variety of medical and industrial isotopes.
    In May 1995, DOE issued the Environmental Assessment: Shutdown of 
the Fast Flux Test Facility, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington (DOE/
EA-0993, May 1995) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI, May 
1995). This Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluated the potential 
impacts associated with actions necessary to place the FFTF in a 
radiologically-safe and industrially-safe permanent shutdown and 
deactivation condition (Phase I), suitable for a long-term surveillance 
and maintenance (Phase II) prior to decommissioning (Phase III). The EA 
did not evaluate Phase III. DOE determined that an EIS was not required 
for the permanent shutdown and deactivation of the FFTF, and issued a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
    Based on the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for 
Accomplishing Expanded Civilian Nuclear Energy Research and Development 
and Isotope Production Missions in the United States, Including the 
Role of the Fast Flux Test Facility (NI-PEIS)( DOE/EIS-0310, December 
2000), DOE decided in the Record of Decision (ROD) (66 FR 7877, January 
26, 2001), that the permanent closure of FFTF was to be resumed, with 
no new missions. The NI PEIS reviewed the environmental impacts 
associated with enhancing the existing DOE nuclear facility 
infrastructure to provide for the following missions: (1) Production of 
isotopes for medical, research, and industrial uses; (2) production of 
plutonium-238 for use in advanced radioactive isotope power systems for 
future National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space 
exploration missions, and (3) to support the nation's civilian nuclear 
energy research and development needs. In the NI PEIS, FFTF was 
evaluated as an alternative irradiation services facility for the 
aforementioned missions.
    DOE is currently engaged in the permanent deactivation of the FFTF 
consistent with the May 1995 FFTF Shutdown EA and FONSI and the January 
26, 2001, ROD. Major deactivation activities underway at this time 
include: washing the FFTF fuel to remove sodium, placing the fuel into 
dry cask storage, draining sodium systems, and deactivating auxiliary 
plant systems. The FFTF fuel, which includes sodium-bonded fuel, is 
being managed and dispositioned consistent with previous applicable DOE 
NEPA decisions (see ``Related NEPA Reviews'').
    Proposed Action: NEPA requires the preparation of an EIS for major 
federal actions that significantly affect the quality of the human 
environment. DOE is preparing an EIS (DOE/EIS-0364) for proposed FFTF 
decommissioning activities.
    DOE's purpose and need is to reduce long-term risks associated with 
the deactivated FFTF and its ancillary support facilities, and to 
reduce surveillance and maintenance costs. In order to meet this 
purpose and need, DOE proposes to decommission the deactivated FFTF and 
its support facilities by September 2012, consistent with the ongoing 
Request for Proposal No. DE-RP06-04RL14600 for the FFTF Closure 
Project. Alternatives for accomplishing this proposed action described 
below.
     Preliminary Alternatives: Consistent with NEPA implementation 
requirements, the EIS will assess the range of reasonable alternatives 
regarding DOE's need for decommissioning the FFTF, and a No Action 
alternative. The EIS will provide a means for soliciting public input 
on the alternatives to be analyzed as part of DOE's decisionmaking 
process. DOE's current proposed alternatives include entombment and 
removal.
    Other reasonable alternatives that may arise during public scoping 
and preparation of the draft EIS would also be considered. Because DOE 
has made a programmatic decision to permanently shutdown and deactivate 
FFTF, and is currently performing deactivation activities consistent 
with this decision, restart of the FFTF is not considered a reasonable 
decommissioning alternative. The preferred alternative for 
decommissioning would be identified in the EIS and DOE's decision would 
be announced in a ROD. Consistent with this ROD, DOE would also prepare 
any regulatory documents that might be required as a result of 
permitting, closure, or documentation requirements under the Atomic 
Energy Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery

[[Page 50178]]

Act, and the Washington State Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1976; 
or the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation and 
Liability Act. In meeting any State (of Washington) Environmental 
Policy Act (SEPA) requirements related to state permitting or other 
regulatory actions, the State of Washington Department of Ecology 
(Ecology) can adopt a NEPA document if it determines that it is 
sufficient to meet SEPA requirements. DOE intends to coordinate with 
Ecology to ensure these needs are addressed.
    The EIS will analyze reasonable alternatives for the management and 
disposition of FFTF waste, and reasonable onsite (Hanford Site) and 
offsite (Idaho) alternatives for the management and disposition of the 
Hanford Site radioactive sodium inventory.
    The proposed alternatives to be considered in the EIS include:
     No Action Alternative. The Council on Environmental 
Quality NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and the DOE NEPA 
Regulations (10 CFR part 1021) require analysis of a No Action 
alternative. Under this alternative, deactivation would be completed 
consistent with previous NEPA decisions, such that the FFTF and support 
buildings could be maintained in a long-term surveillance and 
maintenance condition for the foreseeable future; no decommissioning 
would occur. The facility would be monitored and periodic surveillance 
and maintenance performed to ensure that no environmental releases or 
safety issues develop. The impacts from this No Action alternative will 
be used as the basis for comparing the impacts of the action 
alternatives.
     Entombment Alternative. Under this alternative, DOE would 
decontaminate, dismantle, and remove the FFTF Reactor Containment 
Building dome (and structures within) above grade level (i.e., 550 feet 
above mean sea level). The FFTF Reactor Vessel, contained within the 
Reactor Containment Building, along with radioactive and contaminated 
equipment, components, piping, and materials, including any asbestos, 
depleted uranium shielding, and lead shielding, would remain in place. 
The Reactor Containment Building below grade level would be filled with 
grout or other suitable fill material to immobilize remaining 
radioactive and chemically-hazardous materials to the maximum extent 
practicable, and to minimize subsidence. The Reactor Containment 
Building fill material may include hazardous, and/or radioactive and 
contaminated materials, as allowed by regulations. A regulatory-
compliant, engineered barrier would be used to cover the filled area. 
The barrier, together with the lower Reactor Containment Building 
structure and internal structures, and the immobilization and/or 
subsidence matrix would comprise the entombment structure (i.e., the 
entombed area).
    The FFTF support buildings outside the entombed area, would be 
decontaminated and demolished to below grade level, backfilled, and 
remediated, as appropriate. Below-grade portions would be backfilled 
and covered to minimize free (void) spaces. Appropriate institutional 
controls would also be implemented (e.g., deed restrictions, etc.).
     Removal Alternative. Under this alternative, DOE would 
decontaminate, dismantle, and remove the Reactor Containment Building 
dome (and structures within) above grade level. The Reactor Vessel, 
contained within the Reactor Containment Building below grade level, 
along with radioactive and contaminated equipment, components, piping, 
and materials, including any asbestos, depleted uranium shielding, and 
lead shielding, would also be removed. The removed radioactive and 
contaminated equipment, components, piping, and materials would include 
intermediate heat exchangers, primary pumps, primary isolation valves, 
primary overflow tanks, Interim Examination and Maintenance Cell 
equipment, test assembly hardware, and the Interim Decay Storage tank. 
Additional radioactive and contaminated equipment from the Reactor 
Containment Building and the FFTF Heat Transport System would also be 
removed, as necessary. The removed radioactive and contaminated 
equipment, components, piping, and materials would be disposed of in 
appropriate Hanford Site 200 Area disposal units such as, but not 
necessarily limited to, the existing Environmental Restoration and 
Disposal Facility or the Integrated Disposal Facility, which is 
proposed for construction. The Reactor Containment Building (and 
structures within) at grade and below grade, and the FFTF support 
buildings outside the Reactor Containment Building area, would be 
decontaminated and demolished to below grade, backfilled and covered to 
minimize free (void) spaces), and remediated, as appropriate. 
Appropriate institutional controls would also be implemented (e.g., 
deed restrictions, etc.).
    EIS Schedule: This EIS will be prepared pursuant to NEPA, the 
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the 
Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and DOE's NEPA 
Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021). Following publication of 
this Notice of Intent, DOE will conduct a 45-day public scoping period, 
including public scoping meetings; and prepare and distribute the draft 
EIS. A comment period on the draft EIS is planned, which will include 
public hearings to receive comments. Availability of the draft EIS, the 
dates of the public comment period, and information about the public 
hearings will be announced in the Federal Register and in local news 
media. The final EIS is scheduled for issuance by September 2005. A ROD 
would be issued no sooner than 30 days after publication of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Notice of Availability of the 
final EIS in the Federal Register.

Preliminary Identification of Environmental and Other Issues

    DOE intends to analyze the following issues when assessing the 
potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives 
in this EIS. DOE invites comments on these and any other issues that 
should be addressed in this EIS.
     Potential accident scenarios at appropriate onsite 
(Hanford Site) and offsite locations associated with the 
decommissioning of the FFTF and support facilities and with the 
management and disposition of resulting waste and Hanford Site 
radioactive sodium inventory.
     Potential effects on the public and onsite workers from 
releases of radiological and nonradiological materials during 
decommissioning operations and reasonably foreseeable accidents.
     Potential long-term risks resulting from the management 
and disposition of the FFTF waste and Hanford Site radioactive sodium 
inventory.
     Potential effects on air quality, and water quantity and 
quality from decommissioning operations and reasonably foreseeable 
accidents.
     Potential cumulative effects, including impacts from other 
past, present and reasonably foreseeable actions at or in the vicinity 
of the Hanford Site.
     Potential effects on biological resources (e.g., rare, 
threatened, or endangered species and their habitat).
     Potential effects on archaeological/cultural/historical 
sites.

[[Page 50179]]

     Potential effects from transportation activities and from 
reasonably foreseeable transportation accidents.
     Potential socioeconomic impacts on surrounding 
communities.
     Potential for disproportionately high and adverse effects 
on low-income and minority populations (Environmental Justice).
     Potential, unavoidable adverse environmental effects.
     Potential, short-term uses of the environment versus long-
term productivity.
     Potential irreversible and irretrievable commitment of 
resources.
     Potential consumption of natural resources and energy, 
including water, geologic materials, natural gas, and electricity.
     Potential pollution prevention, waste minimization, and 
mitigative measures.
    Related NEPA Reviews: Listed below are some of the key NEPA 
documents to be considered in relation to the EIS:
     Environmental Statement, Fast Flux Test Facility, 
Richland, Washington (WASH-1510, May 1972). This Environmental 
Statement (prepared by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission) assessed the 
potential environmental impacts associated with the FFTF Project.
     Final Environmental Impact Statement: Department of Energy 
Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management and Idaho National 
Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration and Waste Management 
Programs (DOE/EIS-0203, April 1995) and ROD (60 FR 28680, May 1, 1995). 
This EIS analyzed (at a programmatic level) the potential environmental 
consequences over the next 40 years of alternatives related to the 
transportation, receipt, processing, and storage of spent nuclear fuel 
under the responsibility of DOE. For programmatic spent nuclear fuel 
management, this EIS analyzed alternatives of no action, 
decentralization, regionalization, centralization, and the use of the 
plans that existed in 1992 and 1993 for the management of these 
materials.
     Environmental Assessment: Shutdown of the Fast Flux Test 
Facility, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington and FONSI (DOE/EA-0993, 
May 1995). This EA evaluated the impacts associated with deactivation 
actions necessary to place the FFTF in a radiologically- and 
industrially-safe condition (Phase I), suitable for long-term 
surveillance and maintenance (Phase II) prior to decommissioning (Phase 
III). The EA did not evaluate Phase III. DOE determined that an EIS was 
not required for the permanent shutdown and deactivation of the FFTF 
and issued a FONSI.
     Environmental Assessment: Management of Hanford Site Non-
Defense Production Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel, Hanford Site, Richland, 
Washington and FONSI (DOE/EA-1185, March 1997). This EA evaluated the 
environmental impacts associated with actions necessary to place the 
Hanford Site's non-defense production reactor spent nuclear fuel, which 
includes FFTF's spent nuclear fuel, in a radiologically- and 
industrially-safe, and passive, consolidated storage condition pending 
final decommissioning. DOE determined that the interim management and 
storage of the subject spent nuclear fuel at the Hanford Site did not 
require an EIS and issued a FONSI.
     Environmental Assessment: Shutdown of Experimental Breeder 
Reactor-II (EBR-II) at Argonne National Laboratory-West and FONSI (DOE/
EA-1199, September 1997). This EA addressed the placement of EBR-II and 
its supporting facilities in an industrially and radiologically safe 
shutdown condition pending ultimate decommissioning, including the 
draining of the primary and secondary sodium and reaction of the sodium 
in the Sodium Processing Facility. The EA did not evaluate final 
decontamination and decommissioning of EBR-II or the Sodium Processing 
Facility. DOE determined that an EIS was not required and issued a 
FONSI.
     Final Hanford Comprehensive Land Use Plan Environmental 
Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0222, September 1999) and ROD (64 FR 61615, 
November 12, 1999). This EIS focused on developing an overall strategy 
for future land use at Hanford and included a proposed comprehensive 
land use plan for the Hanford Site for at least the next 50 years of 
ownership. DOE decided in the ROD that the 400 Area would be designated 
``industrial.'' This land-use designation supports the 1997 EPA 
Brownfields Initiative for contaminated areas (``Brownfields Economic 
Development Initiative, EPA 500-F-97-158, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Washington, D.C., September 1997.'')
     Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Treatment and 
Management of Sodium-Bonded Spent Nuclear Fuel (DOE/EIS-0306, July 
2000) and ROD (65 FR 56565, September 19, 2000). This EIS evaluated 
strategies to remove or stabilize the reactive sodium contained in a 
portion of DOE's spent nuclear fuel inventory to prepare the spent 
nuclear fuel for disposal in a geologic repository. The EIS analyzed, 
under the proposed action, six alternatives that employ one or more of 
the following technology options at nuclear fuel management facilities 
at the Savannah River Site or the INEEL: electrometallurgical 
treatment; the plutonium-uranium extraction process; packaging in high-
integrity cans; and the melt and dilute treatment process. DOE decided 
in the ROD to implement the preferred alternative of 
electrometallurgically treating the EBR-II spent nuclear fuel and 
miscellaneous small lots of sodium bonded spent nuclear fuel at the 
ANL-W facility at the INEEL. FFTF has a small inventory of sodium 
bonded fuel identified in this EIS.
     Final Environmental Impact Statement, Commercial Low-Level 
Radioactive Waste Disposal Site, Hanford Site, Richland, Washington, 
State of Washington Department of Ecology (May 2004)). This EIS was 
prepared by Ecology to evaluate pending actions, including an operating 
license renewal, at the existing commercial low-level radioactive waste 
disposal site located on the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington.
     Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for 
Accomplishing Expanded Civilian Nuclear Energy Research and Development 
and Isotope Production Missions in the United States, Including the 
Role of the Fast Flux Test Facility (NI-PEIS, DOE/EIS-0310, December 
2000) and ROD (66 FR 7877, January 26, 2001). This nuclear 
infrastructure programmatic EIS evaluated the proposed expansion of the 
nuclear irradiation capabilities for accomplishing civilian nuclear 
energy research and development activities, accommodating the projected 
growth in demand for medical and industrial isotopes, and production of 
plutonium-238 to support future National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration space exploration missions. Also included was an 
alternative to permanently deactivate the FFTF. The EIS concluded that 
``lack of clear commitments from likely users discouraged the 
Department from planning to build new facilities or to restart the 
FFTF.'' DOE decided in the ROD that the FFTF would be permanently 
deactivated.
     Final Hanford Site Solid (Radioactive and Hazardous) Waste 
Program Environmental Impact Statement, Richland, Washington (DOE/EIS-
0286, January 2004) and ROD (69 FR 39449, June 30, 2004). This EIS 
evaluated alternatives to provide capabilities to treat, store, and/or 
dispose of existing and anticipated quantities of solid low-level waste

[[Page 50180]]

(LLW), mixed low-level waste (MLLW), Transuranic (TRU) waste, and 
immobilized low activity waste to support clean up at Hanford and to 
assist other DOE sites in completing their cleanup programs. DOE 
decided in the ROD to (1) limit the volumes of LLW and MLLW received at 
Hanford from other sites for disposal; (2) dispose of LLW in lined 
disposal facilities, a practice already used for MLLW; (3) construct 
and operate a lined, combined-use disposal facility (previously 
referenced in this Notice of Intent as the ``Integrated Disposal 
Facility'') in Hanford's 200 East Area for disposal of LLW and MLLW, 
and further limit offsite waste receipts until the IDF is constructed; 
(4) treat LLW and MLLW (requiring treatment) at either offsite 
facilities or existing or modified facilities, as appropriate; and (5) 
use existing and modified onsite facilities to store, process, and 
certify TRU waste for subsequent shipment to the DOE Waste Isolation 
Pilot Plant.
     Environmental Impact Statement for Retrieval, Treatment, 
and Disposal of Tank Waste and Closure of Single-Shell Tanks at the 
Hanford Site, Richland, Washington (DOE/EIS-0356). This EIS will 
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and 
range of reasonable alternatives, including no action, to treating and 
disposing of the subject tank waste and the safe management and closure 
of the subject tanks. The document is currently in development and a 
draft EIS has not yet been issued.

Public Reading Rooms

    Documents referenced in this Notice of Intent and related 
information are available at the following locations: DOE Reading Room, 
WSU Tri-Cities, 2710 University Drive, Richland, Washington 99352, 509-
372-7443; and the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters Public Reading 
Room, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1E-190 (ME-74) FORS, 
Washington, DC 20585, 202-586-3142.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 9, 2004.
John Spitaleri Shaw,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Environment, Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 04-18535 Filed 8-12-04; 8:45 am]
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