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

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Draft p. 3.5.25<br />

Issue<br />

349<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

Replace the sentence beginning with: "However," on line 13 with: However, their<br />

natures and time variant behaviors, particularly <strong>of</strong> subsurface current, are incompletely<br />

understood. (23-DOC)<br />

Replace the sentence beginning with: "Similar" on line 15 with: For oceanographic<br />

data there is need for both intensive and extensive observations over a long period in order<br />

to resolve the time and space scales <strong>of</strong> the coastal, littoral, and other flows. (23-DOC)<br />

Response<br />

Statement.<br />

The above sentences are preferred substitutes for the applicable text <strong>of</strong> the draft<br />

Draft p. 3.5.27<br />

Issue<br />

It should be noted that current models are not able to accurately predict flow through<br />

fractured media, which will be normally encountered in islands <strong>of</strong> volcanic origin.<br />

(208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

Models for accurately predicting the migration <strong>of</strong> radioactive species through fractured<br />

media are not currently available and basalts that are extruded to solidify under the ocean<br />

are normally highly fractured. Also, as noted in Section 3.5.1.2 <strong>of</strong> the draft Statement,<br />

islands <strong>of</strong> volcanic origin have highly fractured basalts that may be bounded by sheets <strong>of</strong><br />

dense impermiable rocks (dikes). Detailed characterization <strong>of</strong> the host geology would be a<br />

necessary part <strong>of</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> the island concept. Until characterization <strong>of</strong> the host<br />

geology for an island was completed, the modeling needs for groundwater flow would not be<br />

known.<br />

Draft p. 3.5.29<br />

Issue<br />

Section 3.5.6.2 implies that there are no uncertainties associated with island disposal<br />

beyond those associated with conventional geologic disposal, an implication that appears<br />

simplistic. The areas <strong>of</strong> uncertainty should be summarized and some quantitative assessment<br />

<strong>of</strong> their potential consequences provided. (58)

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