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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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Draft p. 3.1.116<br />

Issue<br />

182<br />

WASTE MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS<br />

It appears that the resource requirements are biased in favor <strong>of</strong> salt due to poor<br />

design <strong>of</strong> repositories in other media. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

In the absence <strong>of</strong> detailed site specific geologic data, optimization <strong>of</strong> the repository<br />

design to account for the special qualities <strong>of</strong> each medium is not possible. Instead a<br />

standardized repository design using a conventional underground layout is specified.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.118<br />

Issue<br />

Table 3.1.12 presents total quantities <strong>of</strong> effluents released to the atmosphere during<br />

construction and operation <strong>of</strong> a geologic repository. The potential effects <strong>of</strong> these<br />

effluents on ecosystems should be evaluated. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

The first sentence at the top <strong>of</strong> draft p. 3.1.119 states that "The estimated releases<br />

<strong>of</strong> the pollutants (those presented in Table 3.1.12) from construction and operation <strong>of</strong> a<br />

geologic repository would not in any case result in Federal air quality standards being<br />

exceeded at the repository boundary." It was assumed that if pollutant releases were below<br />

the limits specified in Federal standards, that no significant ecological impacts would<br />

result. Therefore, no evaluation <strong>of</strong> the potential effect <strong>of</strong> these effluents on ecosystems<br />

was made.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.120<br />

Issue<br />

Little or no discussion is given <strong>of</strong> the potential hydrologic implications <strong>of</strong> reposi-<br />

tory construction and operation. For example, what would be the effects on surface drain-<br />

age and downstream water quality <strong>of</strong> excavated material stored on the surface? Would the<br />

material be laid out on level surfaces, would low spots be filled in, would streams be<br />

diverted or dammed? What would happen during heavy rain and/or floods? Where would water<br />

needed for construction/operation be obtained? A description <strong>of</strong> a typical site, its con-<br />

struction and the hydrologic and water use impacts is needed. (208-NRC)

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