Rocky Flats Solar Evaporation Ponds RCRA hybrid-closure case study

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:113240

Ogg, R T ^[1]; Everett, L G; Cullen, S J ^[2]

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1. EG and G Rocky Flats, Inc., Golden, CO (United States)
2. Geraghty and Miller, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA (United States)

The Solar Evaporation Ponds (SEP)/Operable Unit 4 (OU 4), located at the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) sixteen miles northwest of Denver, Colorado, is currently undergoing remediation/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) closure in accordance with the Rocky Flats Interagency Agreement (IAG) signed by the US Department of Energy (DOE), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Colorado Department of Health (CDH) on January 22, 1991. Based on the ``Phase 1`` (source and soils) RCRA Facility Investigation/Remedial Investigation (RFM data and interpretations), the DOE and EG and G Rocky Flats, Inc. (EG and G) have selected a permanent surface engineered/isolation barrier as the technological option for remediation of the SEP. The DOE and EG and G will utilize all natural materials to create an ``impermeable`` barrier/structure to isolate the waste being left in place from impacting human health and the environment for a minimum of 1,000 years. Their rationale for utilizing natural materials is two fold; (1) optimize long term performance of the barrier and; (2) design a structure which will be near maintenance free (passive remediation) for 1,000 years. The DOE and EG and G have taken a proactive approach in providing post closure performance assessment for this RCRA closure action. An integrated monitoring system has been designed which will include monitoring the engineered barrier, vadose zone and ground water systems. Rocky Flats will integrate instrumentation into the permanent engineered barrier which will provide early warning of potential liquid migration through the barrier and into the waste zone.

• OSTI ID: 113240
• Report Number(s): CONF-940499--; ISBN 1-56590-014-6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
COMPLIANCE
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
DATA
DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MONITORS
PERFORMANCE
REMEDIAL ACTION
RESOURCE RECOVERY ACTS
ROCKY FLATS PLANT