23.04.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Draft, p. 1.3<br />

Issue<br />

(208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

206<br />

GEOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS<br />

The need for in-situ testing to obtain site-specific information should be stressed.<br />

The need for site-specific information, once a site has been selected, is mentioned<br />

repeatedly (draft pp. 3.1.16, 3.1.17, 3.1.19, 3.1.23, 3.1.26 and others). Rock types, prop-<br />

erties, and site characteristics can only be described in a general way until an actual site<br />

is selected and local investigation and testing are conducted.<br />

Draft p. 1.6<br />

Issues<br />

Several commenters noted that the Oklo phenomenon cannot be used as justification for<br />

geologic disposal <strong>of</strong> radioactive waste. (2, 55, 96, 97, 129, 144, 211, 213, 218-DOI) Others<br />

felt the reference to Oklo should be retained and/or Oklo should be further emphasized.<br />

(11, 13, 147, 166, 181, 198)<br />

Response<br />

DOE is not trying to use the description <strong>of</strong> Oklo to justify conventional geologic dis-<br />

posal. Oklo is, however, an example <strong>of</strong> a situation where geologic material has retarded the<br />

movement <strong>of</strong> radionuclides and contained them within the earth. The Oklo phenomena are not<br />

cited to be justification for geologic material to contain radionuclides. From investiga-<br />

tion and measurements at Oklo, estimation <strong>of</strong> distances and rates <strong>of</strong> movement can be deter-<br />

mined. The information obtained at Oklo is <strong>of</strong> value in expanding our understanding <strong>of</strong><br />

transport phenomena and in helping to develop models <strong>of</strong> radionuclide transport. Oklo is<br />

meant to be supporting evidence for estimating the long-term behavior <strong>of</strong> radionuclides<br />

placed in a geologic environment.<br />

Draft p. 1.12<br />

Issues<br />

Why the four rock types were considered representative <strong>of</strong> all geologic media?<br />

(208-NRC, 218-DOI)<br />

Response<br />

The words "<strong>of</strong> all" were deleted in the final Statement.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!