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.

241<br />

GEOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS<br />

design and cost; but in all rock types, engineered support can be designed using current<br />

techniques" almost gets losts in the discussion <strong>of</strong> problems. (154)<br />

Response<br />

In rewriting this section (Section B.2 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement) attempts were made to<br />

place equal emphasis on the problems as well as the engineering techniques which might be<br />

used to remedy these problems.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.31<br />

Issue<br />

Since closure rates are expected to be high, the GEIS should describe the support sys-<br />

tems and expected closure rates and the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the support systems. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

The support required for main corridors, crusher rooms, site conditions will have to<br />

be based upon 1.) how long the repository is operated retrievably and 2.) closure rates <strong>of</strong><br />

the repository medium. The design will probably not be for a permanently open facility like<br />

a metropolitan transport tunnel, but designed for a certain operating period, possibly until<br />

the repository is filled and sealed. The design will be based on the physical properties <strong>of</strong><br />

the particular medium at a particular site, and won't be final until these specific proper-<br />

ties are known.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.32<br />

Issue<br />

The draft Statement did not reflect fissure and joint permeability differences, and<br />

induced characteristics due to construction. The draft Statement makes an assertion that<br />

is not supported; i.e., no bases have been provided to support the conclusion that ground-<br />

water inflow can always "...be controlled by state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art engineering technology."<br />

(208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

This topic, under the "Generic Basis for Repository Design/<strong>Waste</strong> <strong>Management</strong> Costs" Sec-<br />

tion, does not distinguish between "joint and fissure permeability" and that induced by con-<br />

struction. Repository design will be influenced by data gained through the site selection<br />

process and the testing <strong>of</strong> a site before construction begins. Site testing will give some<br />

idea <strong>of</strong> the extent <strong>of</strong> fractures and joints, and state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art technology can make some<br />

estimates <strong>of</strong> the effects <strong>of</strong> these features as related to construction. Presumably, site

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!