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

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DOE/ET-0028, pp. 7.4.43 and 7.5.46<br />

Issue<br />

186<br />

WASTE MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS<br />

The times allowed to complete licensing and construction <strong>of</strong> a repository are much<br />

shorter than those estimated by NRC. Figures 7.5.13 and 7.4.14 in DOE/ET-0028 show seven<br />

years from preliminary design to operation with one year between submission <strong>of</strong> a PSAR and<br />

construction approval. NRC estimates 10 to 12 years from preliminary design to a decision<br />

on operating approval. These longer times should be used in establishing repository avail-<br />

ability dates as these delayed availability times may affect conclusions on the impacts <strong>of</strong><br />

waiting until alternate methods are developed. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

Issue<br />

The time delays have been adjusted to reflect current estimates <strong>of</strong> the times required.<br />

One commenter suggested that early in the impact statement discussion should appear<br />

which points out that the geologic disposal facility is to be filled with excavated<br />

material and the facility sealed in the decommissioning process. (27)<br />

Response<br />

Section 5.3 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement presents a description <strong>of</strong> the geologic disposal<br />

concept and those activities that will occur during the operation <strong>of</strong> a waste repository.<br />

Issue<br />

The GEIS should discuss the occupational hazards associated with retrieval options and<br />

acknowledge that in order to have ready retrievability all main entries, storage rooms and<br />

exhaust airways must be kept open. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

For the 5-year period <strong>of</strong> ready retrievability assumed in the final Statement occupa-<br />

tional hazards, both mining and radiological, are not severe. It is acknowledged that for<br />

longer periods <strong>of</strong> ready retrievability or for removal <strong>of</strong> emplaced wastes after backfill,<br />

special precautions will be necessary and difficult. See Section 5.3.1.5 and Appendix K <strong>of</strong><br />

the final Statement for additional discussion.<br />

Issue<br />

Several letters noted that the Statement should address the issue <strong>of</strong> the effect <strong>of</strong><br />

emplacing waste in a geologic repository after extended storage periods. (208-NRC, 218-DI0)

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