98-23264. Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on Management of Certain Plutonium Residues and Scrub Alloy Stored at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 46006-46009]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-23264]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    
    
    Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
    Statement on Management of Certain Plutonium Residues and Scrub Alloy 
    Stored at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site
    
    AGENCY: Department of Energy.
    
    ACTION: Notice of availability.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of 
    the Final Environmental Impact Statement on Management of Certain 
    Plutonium Residues and Scrub Alloy Stored at the Rocky Flats 
    Environmental Technology Site (DOE/EIS-0277F, August 1998). The Final 
    EIS analyzes reasonable alternatives for the management of certain 
    plutonium residues and all of the scrub alloy at the Rocky Flats 
    Environmental Technology Site (Rocky Flats) near Golden, Colorado. 
    Plutonium residues and scrub alloy are materials that were generated 
    while processing plutonium during the manufacture of components for 
    nuclear weapons. The Final EIS analyzes processing technologies for 
    various material categories of residues (e.g., ash, salts, fluorides) 
    and the scrub alloy. Processing of these materials is needed to address 
    health and safety issues associated with their continued storage and to 
    prepare them for disposal or other disposition. DOE has prepared this 
    Final EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 
    U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), in accordance with the Council on Environmental 
    Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA 
    (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and the DOE NEPA implementing regulations (10 
    CFR Part 1021).
        DOE analyzed four alternatives, in addition to the Preferred 
    Alternative, for each of the categories of Rocky Flats plutonium 
    residues and scrub alloy. The Final EIS identifies the rationale for 
    identifying the treatment technologies as preferred.
        All of the alternatives analyzed in the Final EIS were either 
    analyzed in the Draft EIS or are composed of elements of alternatives 
    analyzed in the Draft EIS, with the exception of two new candidate 
    processing technologies similar to technologies analyzed in the Draft 
    EIS. Nevertheless, because certain
    
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    alternatives were not presented to the public in the form in which they 
    appear in this Final EIS, and in furtherance of public involvement in 
    the NEPA process, DOE has decided to issue phased Records of Decision 
    for this Final EIS. The first Record of Decision will cover only those 
    materials for which the preferred processing technology was analyzed in 
    the Draft EIS, and for which any variances to safeguards termination 
    limits discussed in the Draft EIS had already been granted. The first 
    Record of Decision will be issued no sooner than 30 days after issuance 
    of the Final EIS. The second Record of Decision will cover the 
    remaining materials within the scope of the EIS (e.g., as discussed in 
    Section 1.4.2 of the Final EIS). Prior to issuing the second Record of 
    Decision, DOE is providing a 45-day comment period that begins with 
    publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of 
    Availability regarding this Final EIS as discussed in the Dates section 
    below, and will resolve any comments received.
        The Final EIS is available to the public in the public reading 
    rooms listed below in the ``Availability of Copies of the Final EIS'' 
    section of this Notice. The Final EIS is also available by mail upon 
    request by contacting the Center for Environmental Management 
    Information as specified under ADDRESSES below.
    
    DATES: The public is invited to comment on the processing technologies 
    for a subset of the plutonium residue material categories addressed by 
    the Final EIS, as specified in Section 1.4.2 of the Final EIS. The 
    public comment period begins with publication of the Environmental 
    Protection Agency's Notice of Availability regarding this Final EIS in 
    the Federal Register (August 28, 1998), and continues through October 
    12, 1998. All comments received by October 12, 1998, will be considered 
    when preparing the second Record of Decision or taking other actions in 
    response to the comments. Comments received after the close of the 
    comment period will be considered to the degree practical.
    
    ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Final EIS should be directed to: 
    Center for Environmental Management Information, P.O. Box 23769, 
    Washington, DC 20026-3769.
        Copies may also be requested by calling 1-800-736-3282 (or 202-863-
    5084 in Washington, DC).
        Written comments on the Final EIS may be submitted to the following 
    address: Mr. Charles R. Head, Senior Technical Advisor, Office of 
    Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization (EM-60), Environmental 
    Management, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., 
    Washington, DC 20585-0001.
        Written comments may also be submitted electronically as follows: 
    Via E-Mail to [email protected], or Via facsimile to Mr. Charles R. 
    Head at (202) 586-5393.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on the Final 
    EIS, please contact Mr. Charles R. Head at the address specified above.
        For general information on the DOE NEPA process, please write or 
    call: Ms. Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and 
    Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
    Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone: 202-586-4600, or leave a 
    message at 1-800-472-2756.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Final EIS, DOE analyzes processing 
    certain plutonium-bearing materials being stored at Rocky Flats near 
    Golden, Colorado. These materials are plutonium residues and scrub 
    alloy remaining from nuclear weapons manufacturing operations formerly 
    conducted by DOE at this site. In their present forms, these materials 
    cannot be disposed of or otherwise be prepared for final disposition 
    because they contain plutonium in concentrations exceeding DOE 
    safeguards termination requirements. The term ``safeguards'' refers to 
    those measures (e.g., recordkeeping, monitoring, and physical 
    protection) that DOE and other organizations holding nuclear materials 
    must take to ensure that the materials are not stolen or diverted for 
    illicit purposes.
        The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board has raised health and 
    safety concerns regarding the current storage of plutonium residues and 
    scrub alloy at Rocky Flats. The proposed processing will address the 
    concerns raised by the Board and also will prepare the plutonium 
    residues and scrub alloy for disposal or other disposition.
    
    Alternatives
    
        DOE has identified and assessed the following alternatives for 
    processing these plutonium-bearing materials:
        1. Alternative 1 (No Action--Stabilize and Store). This alternative 
    consists of stabilization or repackaging to prepare the material for 
    interim storage as described in the Rocky Flats Solid Residue 
    Environmental Assessment (Solid Residue Treatment, Repackaging, and 
    Storage Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact, DOE/
    EA-1120, Rocky Flats Field Office, April 1996). Under this alternative, 
    further processing to prepare the material for disposal or other 
    disposition would not occur. Because scrub alloy was not addressed in 
    the Rocky Flats Solid Residue Environmental Assessment, the ``No 
    Action'' alternative for scrub alloy has been defined as continued 
    storage at Rocky Flats with repackaging, as necessary. Under this 
    alternative, approximately 40 percent of the Rocky Flats plutonium 
    residues and all of Rocky Flats scrub alloy would be left in forms that 
    would not meet the requirements for termination of safeguards, making 
    these materials ineligible for disposal. Thus, while implementation of 
    this alternative would address the immediate health and safety concerns 
    associated with near-term storage of the materials, the health and 
    safety risks associated with potential long-term storage of these 
    materials would remain.
        2. Alternative 2 (Processing Without Plutonium Separation). 
    Processing to prepare the material for disposal as transuranic waste or 
    for other disposition (i.e., meet safeguards termination limits). 
    Processing technologies evaluated include immobilization and dilution, 
    with all processing taking place at Rocky Flats.
        3. Alternative 3 (Processing With Plutonium Separation). This 
    alternative would include use of various plutonium separation 
    technologies, such as Purex, acid dissolution/plutonium oxide recovery, 
    salt distillation, water leach, and others. On-site processing is 
    evaluated at Rocky Flats for most of the residues and scrub alloy; off-
    site processing is evaluated at the Savannah River Site for certain 
    types of residues and the scrub alloy and the Los Alamos National 
    Laboratory for certain salt residues only. The separated plutonium 
    would be placed into safe and secure storage at the processing site 
    pending disposition. The wastes left after separation of the plutonium 
    would be disposed of.
        4. Alternative 4 (Combination of Processing Technologies). This 
    alternative would include processing technologies that stabilize and 
    blend down the residues, as necessary, so that the concentration of 
    plutonium in the residues would be less than 10 percent. These residues 
    would then be repackaged in preparation for disposal. Due to the 
    relatively higher concentration of plutonium in the scrub alloy, no 
    processing technology for scrub alloy was analyzed under this 
    alternative. All processing under this alternative would be done at 
    Rocky Flats.
    
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        Alternative 4 would also require that a variance to safeguards 
    termination limits be applied for any residues that would be sent to 
    the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) for disposal because the 
    residues would contain plutonium concentrations exceeding DOE 
    safeguards termination limits. The variance is based on the combination 
    of processing method, the waste management controls in place for normal 
    handling of transuranic waste, and the limited quantity of special 
    nuclear materials present at any particular place and time.
        5. Preferred Alternative Identified in the Final EIS. DOE has 
    identified preferred processing technologies (collectively referred to 
    as the Preferred Alternative) for each of the categories of Rocky Flats 
    plutonium residues and scrub alloy. Under the Preferred Alternative, 
    all materials would be processed at Rocky Flats except for sand, slag, 
    and crucible; certain direct oxide reduction salts; fluoride residues; 
    and scrub alloy. The salts would be processed at Los Alamos National 
    Laboratory. The sand, slag and crucible; fluoride residues; and scrub 
    alloy would be processed at the Savannah River Site. The Final EIS 
    identifies the rationale for identifying the treatment technologies as 
    preferred.
    
    Public Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
    
        Copies of the Draft EIS and/or the Summary were mailed to over 
    1,000 individuals and organizations. The public comment period was held 
    from November 25, 1997, to January 5, 1998. However, DOE continued to 
    consider and accept comments received after the closing date. Written 
    submissions were received from 39 individuals and organizations, 
    generating about 200 comments. DOE held three public hearings at the 
    potentially affected sites, attended by a total of approximately 50 
    people. These meetings generated about 40 questions and comments. 
    Chapter 9 of the Final EIS provides the Department's responses to the 
    comments received. Most commentors commented on the alternatives and 
    technical processes, the analyses presented in the EIS, and concerns 
    such as storage, ultimate disposition, proliferation risks, 
    transportation, environmental, safety and health risks, and costs.
    
    Process and Schedule for Decisions
    
        All of the alternatives analyzed in the Final EIS were either 
    analyzed in the Draft EIS or are composed of elements of alternatives 
    analyzed in the Draft EIS, with the exception of two new candidate 
    processing technologies similar to technologies analyzed in the Draft 
    EIS. Nevertheless, because certain alternatives were not presented to 
    the public in the form in which they appear in this Final EIS, and in 
    furtherance of public involvement in the NEPA process, DOE has decided 
    to issue phased Records of Decision for this Final EIS. The first 
    Record of Decision will cover only those materials for which the 
    preferred processing technology was analyzed in the Draft EIS, and for 
    which any variances to safeguards termination limits discussed in the 
    Draft EIS had already been granted (e.g., sand, slag, and crucible 
    residues, low plutonium concentration direct oxide reduction salt 
    residues, combustible residues, plutonium fluoride residues, Ful Flo 
    filter media residues, glass residues, graphite residues, and inorganic 
    residues, and the scrub alloy). The first Record of Decision will be 
    issued no sooner than 30 days after issuance of the Final EIS. The 
    second Record of Decision will cover the remaining materials within the 
    scope of the EIS (e.g., incinerator ash residues, graphite fines 
    residues, inorganic ash residues, molten salt extraction/
    electrorefining salt residues, high plutonium concentration direct 
    oxide reduction salt residues, HEPA filter media residues, and sludge 
    residues). Prior to issuing the second Record of Decision, DOE is 
    providing a 45-day comment period and will resolve any comments 
    received.
    
    Availability of Copies of the Final EIS
    
        The Final EIS has been distributed to interested Federal, State, 
    and local agencies, and to individuals and organizations who have 
    expressed an interest. Copies of the Final EIS are available for review 
    in the following public reading rooms:
    
    Simi Valley Public Library, 2629 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, CA 
    93063
    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, East Gate Visitors Center, 
    Greenville Road, Livermore, CA 94550
    CSU Northridge/Oviatt Library, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 
    91330
    U.S. Department of Energy, Oakland Operations Office, 1301 Clay 
    Street, Room EIC, 8th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
    Platt Brand Public Library, 23600 Victory Boulevard, Woodland Hills, 
    CA 91367
    U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, Public Reading Room, 
    14869 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Records Center, 999 
    18th Street, Floor 5, Denver, CO 80202
    Rocky Flats Citizens Advisory Board, Public Reading Room, 9035 
    Wadsworth Avenue, Suite 2250, Westminster, CO 80021
    Standley Lake Public Reading Room, 8485 Kipling Street, Arvada, CO 
    80005
    Rocky Flats Public Reading Room, Front Range Community College 
    Library, 3645 W. 112th Avenue, Westminster, CO 80030
    University of Colorado Libraries, Government Publications, Campus 
    Box 184, Boulder, CO 80309
    Colorado Department of Public Health, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, 
    Denver, CO 80222
    Colorado School of Mines, Arthur Lakes Library, 1400 Illinois 
    Street, P.O. Box 4029, Golden, CO 80401
    Colorado State University, Library Documents Department, Ft. 
    Collins, CO 80523
    U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, FOI Room, 
    1E-190, Forrestal Bldg., Washington, DC 20585
    Pullen Public Library, 100 Decatur Street, SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
    Chatham Effingham Library, 2002 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31499
    Reese Library, Augusta College, 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904
    Georgia Institute of Technology, Bobby Dodd Way, Atlanta, GA 30332
    Argonne National Laboratory, Technical Library, P.O. Box 2528, Idaho 
    Falls, ID 83403
    University of Illinois at Chicago, U.S. DOE Public Documents Room, 
    801 S. Morgan Street, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
    East St. Louis Public Library, Dr. Ram Chauhan, 405 North 9th 
    Street, East St. Louis, IL 62201
    Lincoln Library, Reference Department, 326 South 7th Street, 
    Springfield, IL 62701
    Salina Public Library, Marc Boucher, Reference Librarian, 301 West 
    Elm, Salina, KS 67401
    Washburn Law Library, 1700 College, Topeka, KS 66621
    Paducah Public Library, 555 Washington Street, Paducah, KY 42001
    U.S. Department of Energy, Environmental Information Center, 175 
    Freedom Boulevard, Kevil, KY 42053
    Mid Continent Public Library, Blue Ridge Branch, 9253 Blue Ridge 
    Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64138
    St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
    Scenic Regional Library, 308 Hawthorn Drive, Union, MO 63084
    Los Alamos Community Reading Room, 1350 Central Avenue, Suite 101, 
    Los Alamos, NM 87544
    U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office, National 
    Atomic Museum, 20358 Wyoming Boulevard SE, Kirtland Air Force Base, 
    P.O. Box 5400, Albuquerque, NM 87185
    U.S. Department of Energy, FOIA Reading Room, 4700 Morris NE, 
    Albuquerque, NM 87111
    U.S. Department of Energy, Technical Vocational Institute, Main 
    Campus Library, 525 Buena Vista SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
    New Mexico State Library, 325 Don Gasper, Santa Fe, NM 87503
    U.S. Department of Energy, Gregg Graniteville Library, 171 
    University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801
    County Library, 404 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403
    
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    South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate Street, P.O. Box 11469
    Orangeburg County Free Library, 510 Louis Street NE, P.O. Box 1367, 
    Orangeburg, SC 29116
    Lawson McGhee Public Library, 500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 
    37902
    Nashville Public Library, 225 Polk Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203
    U.S. Department of Energy, Public Reading Room, Oak Ridge Operations 
    Office, 55 Jefferson Circle, Room 1123, Oak Ridge, TN 37831
    
        Copies of the Final EIS can also be obtained by contacting the 
    Center for Environmental Management Information at the address, or via 
    the telephone numbers, listed earlier in this Notice under Addresses.
    
        Issued in Washington, D.C. on August 25, 1998.
    David G. Huizenga,
    Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Material and Facility 
    Stabilization, Office of Environmental Management.
    [FR Doc. 98-23264 Filed 8-26-98; 8:55 am]
    BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/28/1998
Department:
Energy Department
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of availability.
Document Number:
98-23264
Dates:
The public is invited to comment on the processing technologies
Pages:
46006-46009 (4 pages)
PDF File:
98-23264.pdf