[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73996-73997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30028]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Availability for the Draft Programmatic Environmental
Assessment for the Recycling of Scrap Metals Originating From
Radiological Areas
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability for
public review and comment of the Draft Programmatic Environmental
Assessment (PEA) for the Recycling of Scrap Metals Originating from
Radiological Areas. On September 28, 2011, the Secretary of Energy
approved a recommendation, contingent on the completion of the
appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, to
delegate authority to manage radiological clearance and release of
scrap metal from radiological areas to each Under Secretary for sites
under his or her cognizance, in accordance with the processes contained
in DOE Order 458.1 (which replaces the order previously governing
release procedures). This Draft PEA for the Recycling of Scrap Metals
Originating from Radiological Areas analyzes the potential
environmental impacts associated with resuming the clearance of scrap
metal, originating from DOE radiological areas, for recycling pursuant
to improved procedures designed to assure that clearance for release is
limited to metals meeting stringent criteria. This Draft PEA also
analyzes the reasonable alternatives to this proposal. Metals with
volumetric radiological contamination, and scrap metals resulting from
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), are
not included in the scope of this PEA.
DATES: DOE invites Federal agencies, state and local governments,
Native American tribes, industry, other interested organizations, and
members of the public to submit comments on the Draft PEA during the
public comment period which starts with the publication of the Notice
of Availability in the Federal Register and extends for 30 days until
January 11, 2013. DOE will consider comments received after this date
to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: The Draft PEA for the Recycle of Scrap Metal Originating
from Radiological Areas is available for review on the DOE NEPA Web
site at: http://www.energy.gov/nepa and on the National Nuclear
Security Administration (NNSA) NEPA Web site at: http://nnsa.energy.gov/nepa. Comments on the Draft PEA for the Recycle of
Scrap Metal Originating from Radiological Areas may be submitted
electronically via email to Scrap--PEA [email protected].
Alternatively, written comments may be sent by postal mail to: Dr. Jane
Summerson, DOE NNSA, P.O. Box 5400, Bldg 401, K.AFB East, Albuquerque,
NM 87185.
For general information about the DOE NEPA process, please contact:
Ms. Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
(GC-54), 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. Additional information regarding DOE NEPA activities
and access to many of DOE's NEPA documents are available on the
Internet through the DOE NEPA Web site at http://www.energy.gov/nepa.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE has prepared the Draft PEA for Recycling
of Scrap Metals Originating from Radiological Areas in accordance with
Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500--1508)
that implement NEPA and DOE's NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR Part
1021).
Background: On July 13, 2000, the Secretary of Energy imposed an
agency-wide suspension on the unrestricted release of scrap metal
originating from radiological areas at DOE facilities for the purpose
of recycling. The suspension was imposed in response to public concerns
about the potential effects of radioactivity in or on metal recycled
from the Department's facilities. Other materials continued to be
controlled and cleared for release under the requirements of DOE Order
5400.5, Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment.
Initially, the suspension was to remain in effect until December 31,
2000, while the Department developed and implemented improvements,
revised its directives and associated guidance documents applicable to
scrap metal releases, and engaged the public in a dialogue regarding
DOE radiological release practices through the NEPA process. In 2001,
DOE announced its
[[Page 73997]]
intention to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
(PEIS) on the policy alternatives for disposition of metals from its
sites. Although the suspension was considered to be a temporary
measure, it has been in force since 2000, and the PEIS was not
completed. From 2008 through 2010, the Department, through an effort
lead by the NNSA and supported by the Offices of Health, Safety and
Security; Science; and Environmental Management, reviewed numerous DOE
programs across the complex that involved improved monitoring and
proposed release practices to determine how these practices could be
implemented. In April 2010, NNSA hosted an inter-site workshop that
developed a DOE wide consensus regarding how sites would implement
these practices. In February 2011, in part to implement the improved
monitoring and release practices recommended in 2001, DOE replaced DOE
Order 5400.5 with DOE Order 458.1, Radiation Protection of the Public
and the Environment, which incorporated an improved scrap metals
clearance process. Consequently, DOE has determined that a Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (PEA) is appropriate to consider the
alternatives for the disposition of uncontaminated scrap metal
originating from these areas.
Purpose and Need for Agency Action: The purpose and need for agency
action is to allow DOE to better manage materials no longer needed by
the Department and to allow for the recycle, where appropriate, of
materials originating from DOE radiological areas. These scrap metals
have, and continue to be, accumulated at DOE sites since the 2000
Department-wide suspension on any unrestricted release for recycle of
scrap metals originating from radiological areas at DOE facilities (DOE
2000). The proposed action is consistent with the principles of
sustainable materials management as presented in Executive Order (E.O.)
13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation
Management (January 27, 2007) and E.O. 13514, Federal Leadership in
Environmental Energy, and Economic Performance (October 5, 2009).
Alternatives Analyzed: This PEA analyzes the potential human health
and environmental impacts associated with the proposed action, a
disposal alternative, and a no-action (continued storage) alternative.
Potential Outcome: The proposed action would allow DOE to modify
its policy to allow the delegation of authority from the Secretary to
the Under Secretaries to manage the radiological clearance process for
uncontaminated scrap metals originating in DOE radiological areas for
sites demonstrated to have robust monitoring and release practices in
place. Scrap metal that meets these robust practices for unrestricted
release would be candidates for recycle. Scrap metal that does not meet
these requirements would be identified as contaminated and maintained
by DOE or disposed of as waste in an appropriate manner. This PEA also
evaluates potential human health and environmental impacts associated
with a disposal alternative, and a no-action (continued storage)
alternative.
Metal with volumetric radiological contamination, and scrap metal
resulting from RCRA and CERCLA clean-up activities, are not included in
the scope of the PEA. Impacts associated with scrap metal releases from
any such clean-up activities would be evaluated separately under NEPA
as appropriate. In addition, sites under the Office of Legacy
Management are not included since these facilities do not generate
potentially radiologically contaminated scrap metal that would be
recycled.
Following the end of the public comment period, DOE will consider
all comments received while completing the PEA, and as appropriate,
issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or prepare a PEIS
prior to deciding whether to implement a revision to the policy for
clearance and release of scrap metal from radiological areas.
Issued in Washington, DC, on December 6, 2012.
Thomas P. D'Agostino,
Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator, National
Nuclear Security Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-30028 Filed 12-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P