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U.S. Department of Energy
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Yucca Mountain Project Site characterization and exploratory shaft program

Conference · · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)
OSTI ID:5272786

The Yucca Mountain Project site characterization phase officially began May 28, 1986, when President Reagan recommended Yucca Mountain be studied as a potential site for a high-level nuclear repository. Site characterization activities are defined in the NWPA as those research activities, whether in the field or in the laboratory, that are undertaken to establish the geologic condition and the range of parameters relevant to an evaluation of the suitability of a candidate site. In December 1988, a major program milestone was achieved when the statutory site characterization plan (SCP) was released on schedule to the NRC, State of Nevada, and the public. The SCP describes the studies necessary to determine the suitability of Yucca Mountain for isolating high-level nuclear waste. The site characterization testing program includes activities to establish the geologic conditions and history of the site. New site characterization activities include surface-based tests and exploratory shaft tests. Tests conducted in the exploratory shaft facility (ESF) will study the processes and phenomena contributing to waste isolation performance and the effects of ESF construction and underground conditions at the ESF location. The surface-based tests will extend the results of the ESF test to the entire site area.

OSTI ID:
5272786
Report Number(s):
CONF-890604--
Journal Information:
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Vol. 59; ISSN TANSA; ISSN 0003-018X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English