Legal, political, and institutional implications of the seabed assessment program for radioactive waste disposal. [Sub-seabed disposal of high-level waste]

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5150633· OSTI ID:5150633

Deese, D. A.

Sub-seabed disposal of high-level radioactive waste is discussed. The following conclusions are drawn: The outcome will be determined largely by the national political stances taken toward a sub-seabed disposal program. Political and diplomatic responses from individual countries should be expected to be heavily influenced by the number, type, and timing of options available for high-level waste disposal. The budgetary and institutional support Washington gives to the sub-seabed program will have a crucial influence on the progress of sub-seabed science and technology over the next three to five years. Despite the growing need of nations, such as Japan and Britain, for a high-level waste disposal option, a sub-seabed program will probably not be employed if it is not strongly funded and supported by the United States. Clearly, there are enough level and political obstacles to destroy or delay a sub-seabed disposal program. The nontechnical hurdles to seabed disposal at least equal the scientific and technical ones. But, on the other hand, there are important potential social and political benefits to be gained from any serious attempt to mount a successful sub-seabed program. These lie principally in international cooperation on waste management, environmental protection, nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, and governing the deep seabed.

• Research Organization: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Mass. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5150633
• Report Number(s): COO/4172-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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