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

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Response<br />

277<br />

MULTIBARRIERS FOR DISPOSAL<br />

The properties <strong>of</strong> the waste form, both physical and chemical, are being carefully<br />

considered so that the waste form selected will be best suited for the respective disposal<br />

environment. The Eh-pH <strong>of</strong> groundwater can be measured with sufficient accuracy to permit<br />

modeling the interaction between groundwater and waste form following disposal in a geologic<br />

repository.<br />

Due to the site-specific nature <strong>of</strong> groundwater chemistry, it was not felt appropriate<br />

to have a detailed discussion <strong>of</strong> groundwater chemistry in this Statement. Such discussion<br />

and analysis will be provided in any future site-specific analysis.<br />

Draft p. 3.1.59<br />

Issue<br />

It seems impossible to maintain canister integrity for a significant time period<br />

because disruption during gas, oil or mineral exploration may destroy the canister.<br />

(113-EPA)<br />

Response<br />

This comment discounts probability. There is a low probability that exploration will<br />

even occur since the repositories will be located in areas selected as having negligible<br />

commerical mineral value. (Salt repositories are an exception but salt is so widespread<br />

and abundant there remains a low probability a given site will be selected for commercial<br />

exploitation.) Even if drilling intrudes a repository, there is a low probability that a<br />

canister will be affected because only a small amount (

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