Public comment sought on soil cleanup project at the Idaho Site’s Test Area North Complex

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking public comment on a small-scale soil cleanup at the Idaho Site’s Test Area North (TAN) complex. An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) document with three proposed alternatives for the soil cleanup is under evaluation by DOE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality.

Full-scale decommissioning, decontamination, and demolition of the major TAN facilities began in 2005 and the work was completed in 2008.

The project under evaluation includes cleaning up contaminated soil at a former wastewater disposal pond. From 1972 until 2007, the pond received treated sanitary wastewater, low-level radioactive wastewater, and cold process water. Because of the low levels of soil contamination the 3.2-acre area continued to be evaluated, using institutional controls for sampling and monitoring. Further evaluation determined that the 3.2 acre area contained contaminants requiring remediation.

Three proposed alternatives are detailed in the EE/CA document, which is available online at the links provided below. The alternatives are: (1) No Action – soil remains in place with continued monitoring, (2) Excavation of cesium-137 and mercury hot spots and institutional controls until the contamination decays to background levels, and (3) Installation of a cap to cover the contamination, combined with monitoring and institutional controls.

Alternative 2 is the preferred alternative. This alternative is consistent with the long-term strategy for cleaning up TAN while ensuring protection of workers, the public, and environment and helps prepare the area for possible future missions. Alternative 2 is easily implemented and cost effective. Waste generated from this action would be disposed of on-site at the Idaho CERCLA Disposal Facility or at off-Site facilities, in accordance with established waste acceptance criteria.

The removal action EE/CA for the TSF-07 disposal pond is available on the Idaho Cleanup Project homepage at: https://idahocleanupproject.com/portals/0/documents/TSF-07_EE-CA_DOE-ID-11401.pdf

The EE/CA has also been posted to the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Administrative Record website, and is available for public comment through June 21, 2009. The INL Administrative Record can be found on the Internet at http://ar.inel.gov/images/pdf/200905/2009051900543TUA.pdf and hard copies are available to the public at the following locations:

Written comments on DOE’s plan can be sent or emailed to:

Nicole Hernandez
U.S. Department of Energy
P.O. Box 1625 MS 1222
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415-1222
hernannk@id.doe.gov

After the close of the public comment period, DOE will address public comments in an Action Memorandum and document its selected alternative.

Editorial Date May 21, 2009
By Bradley Bugger