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

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221<br />

GEOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS<br />

drill holes beyond the drift surface. In the experiment at Stripa, it is believed that the<br />

volume <strong>of</strong> rock on which the permeability is being measured is about 1 x 106 cubic meters.<br />

Measurement <strong>of</strong> this type includes the increased permeability caused by mining. As yet,<br />

the experiment is not complete but we believe it to be a step forward in measurement <strong>of</strong> rock<br />

mass permeability. In addition, a few <strong>of</strong> the heater tests in granite have included borehole<br />

measurement <strong>of</strong> permeability that were taken as the rock was heated.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.6<br />

Issue<br />

One commenter felt that to group geologic materials as aquifers or aquitards is mis-<br />

leading; a whole continuum <strong>of</strong> both permeability and porosity exists; local site conditions<br />

generally determine how one would classify a unit, since the terms are <strong>of</strong>ten relative. A<br />

discussion is needed <strong>of</strong> piezometric levels, and leakage between confined and unconfined<br />

units. A discussion <strong>of</strong> steady state versus transient flow conditions and the variabilities<br />

<strong>of</strong> parameters governed by the matrix plus secondary features such as faults, joints, etc.,<br />

is needed. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

Information and discussion <strong>of</strong> hydrology and ground water have been collected from draft<br />

Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 (e.g. pp. 3.1.23, 3.1.32, 3.1.48) and assembled under final<br />

Section 5.1.<br />

The discussion is intended to be an overall treatment as a consideration for site<br />

selection and to consider some potential problem areas. Potential site areas are discussed<br />

only in general terms, as are the "desirable" or favorable physical conditions. When more<br />

specific sites are designated, a more specific description with site data can be made.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.6<br />

Issue<br />

Resource potential <strong>of</strong> the host rock will attract future human intrusion and increase<br />

the probability that a repository will be breached by man's activities. (113-EPA)<br />

Response<br />

The site selection process is designed to avoid areas <strong>of</strong> known resource potential, or<br />

what are considered resources today. If this can be done, the problem becomes one <strong>of</strong> locat-<br />

ing a site where there are no materials, ores, etc., that could conceivably be considered<br />

resources in the future. The latter problem becomes more difficult and does involve some<br />

speculation.

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