Developing a strategy and closure criteria for radioactive and mixed waste sites in the ORNL remedial action program: Regulatory interface

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6126203· OSTI ID:6126203

Trabalka, J. R.

Some options for stabilization and treatment of contaminated sites can theoretically provide a once-and-for-all solution (e.g., removal or destruction of contaminants). Most realizable options, however, leave contaminants in place (in situ), potentially isolated by physical or chemical, but more typically, by hydrologic measures. As a result of the dynamic nature of the interactions between contaminants, remedial measures, and the environment, in situ stablization measures are likely to have limited life spans, and maintenance and monitoring of performance become an essential part of the scheme. The length of formal institutional control over the site and related questions about future uses of the land and waters are of paramount importance. Unique features of the ORNL site and environs appear to be key ingredients in achieving the very long term institutional control necessary for successful financing and implementation of in situ stabilization. Some formal regulatory interface is necessary to ensure that regulatory limitations and new guidance which can affect planning and implementation of the ORNL Remedial Action Program are communicated to ORNL staff and potential technical and financial limitations which can affect schedules or alternatives for achievement of long-term site stabilization and the capability to meet environmental regulations are provided to regulatory bodies as early as possible. Such an interface should allow decisions on closure criteria to be based primarily on technical merit and protection of human health and the environment. A plan for interfacing with federal and state regulatory authorities is described. 93 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6126203
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-10228; ON: DE88001526
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted. Environmental Sciences Division Publication No. 2799j
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
PLANNING
REGULATIONS
COMPLIANCE
CHEMICAL WASTES
DECOMMISSIONING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACTS
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REMEDIAL ACTION
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
LAWS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
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