Report of early site suitability evaluation of the potential repository site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada; Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project

Technical Report · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/140787· OSTI ID:140787

Younker, J L; Andrews, W B; Fasano, G A; Herrington, C C; Mattson, S R; Murray, R C ^[1]; Ballou, L B; Revelli, M A ^[2]; Ducharme, A R; Shephard, L E ^[3]; Dudley, W W; Hoxie, D T ^[4]; Herbst, R J; Patera, E A ^[5]; Judd, B R ^[6]; Docka, J A; Rickertsen, L D ^[7]

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1. Science Applications International Corp., Las Vegas, NV (United States)
2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
3. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
4. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
5. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
6. Decision Analysis Co., Portola Valley, CA (United States)
7. Weston Technical Associates, Washington, DC (United States)

This study evaluated the technical suitability of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as a potential site for a mined geologic repository for the permanent disposal of radioactive waste. The evaluation was conducted primarily to determine early in the site characterization program if there are any features or conditions at the site that indicate it is unsuitable for repository development. A secondary purpose was to determine the status of knowledge in the major technical areas that affect the suitability of the site. This early site suitability evaluation (ESSE) was conducted by a team of technical personnel at the request of the Associate Director of the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Geologic Disposal, a unit within the DOE`s Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. The Yucca Mountain site has been the subject of such evaluations for over a decade. In 1983, the site was evaluated as part of a screening process to identify potentially acceptable sites. The site was evaluated in greater detail and found suitable for site characterization as part of the Environmental Assessment (EA) (DOE, 1986) required by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA). Additional site data were compiled during the preparation of the Site Characterization Plan (SCP) (DOE, 1988a). This early site suitability evaluation has considered information that was used in preparing both-documents, along with recent information obtained since the EA and SCP were published. This body of information is referred to in this report as ``current information`` or ``available evidence.``

• Research Organization: Science Applications International Corp., Las Vegas, NV (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-87NV10576
• OSTI ID: 140787
• Report Number(s): SAIC--91/8000; ON: DE92017680
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DISSOLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
EROSION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GEOCHEMISTRY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HUMAN FACTORS
HYDROLOGY
METEOROLOGY
POPULATION DENSITY
RADIATION PROTECTION
REGULATIONS
ROCK MECHANICS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECTONICS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
WASTE TRANSPORTATION
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project