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316<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

however, to recognize that many <strong>of</strong> the alternative concepts have not been advanced to the<br />

stage where detailed design studies, operations analyses, and subsequent decommissioning<br />

costs have been prepared. Conversely, decommissioning <strong>of</strong> the mined repository concept<br />

(Chapter 5.0) has been studied and cost estimates for such decommissioning exist.<br />

Issue<br />

Several letters requested additional analysis <strong>of</strong> transportation operations.<br />

The feasibility <strong>of</strong> accomplishing the required transportation as well as the impacts<br />

associated with them should be studied and presented as part <strong>of</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> the<br />

alternative concepts. (43, 97)<br />

Transportation impacts vary widely among alternatives yet generally are dismissed,<br />

without much discussion, as being insignificant. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

Greater attention is given to this subject in the final Statement. Section 4.5 dis-<br />

cusses in detail waste transportation systems for mined repository disposal as well as<br />

alternative concepts. Sections 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10 present the environmental impacts,<br />

accident analyses, cost analyses, and safeguard requirements for transportation operations<br />

(as well as other predisposal activities). The relationship between transportation acti-<br />

vities and the alternative disposal techniques discussed in Section 6.1 is presented in Sec-<br />

tion 4.2 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement.<br />

Issue<br />

What are the difficulties associated with following disposal site means:<br />

* very deep hole?--cost?<br />

* rock melting concept?--contamination?<br />

* island disposal?--security?<br />

* subseabed?--contamination?<br />

* icesheet disposal?--melting?<br />

* reverse well disposal?--leakage?<br />

* space disposal?--space probe collision?--contamination <strong>of</strong> the solar furnace? (82)<br />

Response<br />

With the exception <strong>of</strong> the space disposal issues cited, each <strong>of</strong> the commenter's ques-<br />

tions is addressed in Section 6.1 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement. A complete listing <strong>of</strong> research<br />

reports pertinent to the alternative concepts is presented in Appendix M.<br />

Space probe collisions have not been specifically addressed because such occurrences<br />

are thought to be extremely unlikely. However, should the space disposal concept be pur-<br />

sued, careful analysis <strong>of</strong> system operations, system failures, accidents, and interaction

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