|
Department of Energy
Considers Comments on Buried Waste Cleanup
The U.S. Department of Energy is evaluating the
input it received from the public during the recent public comment
period on a proposed plan to cleanup buried waste at DOE’s Idaho Site.
“The Agencies are evaluating the input we received
from the public,” said Mark Arenaz, (WAG 7 Federal Project Director).
“We appreciate those people and organizations who took the time to study
the proposed plan and give us input. We got some very good suggestions
that we will consider carefully.”
A total of 227 formal comments were received by DOE
regarding the Proposed Plan for the Radioactive Waste Management Complex
Operable Unit 7-13/14. The Proposed Plan presented five (5)
alternatives to address waste remediation in the Subsurface Disposal
Area, ranging from
 |
|
Subsurface Disposal
Area |
|
a “do nothing” alternative all the way to a full
retrieval option. The preferred alternative proposed by the agencies,
combines targeted waste retrieval from 4.8 acres of pit areas, in-situ
grouting, continued vadose zone vapor extraction operation, placement of
an evapotranspiration barrier over the SDA, and long-term monitoring,
surveillance, maintenance and institutional controls.
Of the comments received stating a preference, 29%
supported full retrieval of the wastes from the entire Subsurface
Disposal Area, 52% supported the preferred alternative, 5% supported
options that would remove less than the 4.8 acres of targeted wastes and
the other 14% were miscellaneous or stated no preference. Stated
another way, 57% of the respondents supported either the preferred
alternative or retrieval of even less than the 4.8 acres of targeted
wastes. The State of Idaho has stated they support the preferred
alternative with the singular exception of the amount of targeted waste
retrieval. State representatives indicated they would await public
review and comment before determining the appropriate acreage for waste
retrieval. The Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) provided the DOE with a
recommendation supporting the Preferred Alternative in November, 2007.
The Department and its cleanup contractor are
currently drafting what is called a Responsiveness Summary that
addresses all comments received. The Summary will be included in the
Record of Decision document that is currently scheduled to be released
as a draft document to the EPA and Idaho’s DEQ by March 31, 2008.
Editorial Date January 17, 2008
By Steven Sorrell
| 
