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

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Draft p. 3.7.4<br />

Issue<br />

381<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

A small body <strong>of</strong> data have been advanced in the past few years <strong>of</strong> more recent local<br />

glaciations (alpine type) and flooding <strong>of</strong> the dry valleys. Glacial permafrost drift local-<br />

ly exceeds 300 meters in Taylor Valley. (43)<br />

Response<br />

The referenced information would be reviewed for development <strong>of</strong> the ice sheet concept.<br />

Draft p. 3.7.4<br />

Issue<br />

It is not clear why more is not made <strong>of</strong> the dry valleys since they seem to be more<br />

suitable than the ice itself.' (124)<br />

Response<br />

The final Statement discusses the use <strong>of</strong> ice-free areas <strong>of</strong> polar regions called "dry<br />

valleys" as possible interim waste canister storage locals. A mined repository in dry val-<br />

leys would be considered akin to the conventional geologic option and therefore subject to<br />

the same considerations.<br />

Draft p. 3.7.7<br />

Issue<br />

Transportation - How many tons per year are we talking about? The realistic shipping<br />

season is two-three months (more like two months). Can the ground transport system handle<br />

the projected volume? In recent years, about one aircraft accident per year has occurred.<br />

The safety records, although enviable for harsh environmental areas, are still not good<br />

enough for carrying large quantities <strong>of</strong> waste. (43)<br />

Response<br />

While it is agreed that the severity <strong>of</strong> air transportation accidents is usually greater<br />

than that <strong>of</strong> surface transport accidents, the risk <strong>of</strong> air accidents involving radioactive<br />

materials has been demonstrated to be much lower than that <strong>of</strong> surface transport accidents.<br />

Careful consideration <strong>of</strong> the modes <strong>of</strong> transport would be a necessary part <strong>of</strong> any program to<br />

safely dispose <strong>of</strong> radioactive waste. See Section 4.5 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement for additional<br />

discussion <strong>of</strong> transportation issues.

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