The status of Yucca Mountain site characterization activities
- Characterization Project Office, US DOE (US)
- Science Applications International Corp. (US)
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management is continuing its studies to determine if Yucca Mountain in Nevada can safely isolate high-level nuclear waste for the next ten thousand years. As mandated by Congress in 1987, DOE is studying the rocks, the climate, and the water table at Yucca Mountain to ensure that the site is suitable before building a repository about 305 meters (1,000 feet) below the surface. Yucca Mountain, located 161 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of Las Vegas, lies on the western edge of the Nevada Test Site. Nevada and DOE have been in litigation for almost two years over three environmental permits needed to conduct studies, but recent court decisions have allowed limited work to take place. This paper will examine progress made on the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project (YMP) during the past year and continuing into 1992, discuss the complex legal issues that are delaying progress, and describe new site drilling work. Title I and II design work on the underground exploratory studies facility (ESF) also will be discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 140870
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-920430--; ISBN 0-87262-891-4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The last twelve months at Yucca Mountain
1992: When things began to move at Yucca Mountain