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

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6.188<br />

The mined repository and very deep hole disposal option would require only packaging<br />

plant and colocated repositories. Subseabed disposal would require a port facility in addi-<br />

tion to packaging plants and the island concept would require, in addition, a receiving port<br />

and the island repository. The space disposal option would require processing, packaging,<br />

and launch facilities. An auxiliary waste disposal system for remotely handled and contact-<br />

handled TRU waste would likely be required for all concepts except mined geologic and island<br />

repositories.<br />

In general, construction activities near small communities impact the socioeconomic<br />

structure <strong>of</strong> the community more than construction activities near large communities. Major<br />

facilities for the island geologic and subseabed disposal options would be located near the<br />

sea coast where the work force could typically be drawn from nearby communities. For the<br />

space disposal option, launch pad facilities exist and the required auxiliary facilities<br />

could be constructed at the launch site; however the waste treatment facility would also be<br />

required. The mined repository and very deep hole repositories would be located in areas<br />

<strong>of</strong> the continental United States, possibly in remote low population areas. In the case <strong>of</strong><br />

space disposal especially there will likely be a substantial long-term increase in local<br />

employment due to the number <strong>of</strong> people required for support <strong>of</strong> launch activities. Subseabed<br />

has the same characteristics to a lesser degree, as does island disposal.<br />

In conclusion, insufficient evidence (on a generic basis) is currently available to<br />

permit meaningful evaluation <strong>of</strong> alternative concepts on the basis <strong>of</strong> socioeconomic factors.<br />

Aesthetic Effects<br />

Aesthetic effects include noise, odors, and visual impacts. Analysis <strong>of</strong> aesthetic<br />

effects requires site-specific data because the effects are quite localized and dependent<br />

upon the design and siting <strong>of</strong> facilities. Because <strong>of</strong> this, characterization and comparison<br />

<strong>of</strong> aesthetic effects is not attempted in this Statement. Aesthetic effects would be an<br />

appropriate consideration in a statement considering proposed facility construction at a<br />

specific location. Items such as spoil piles from mined repositories and mud ponds from<br />

deep hole drilling could be unsightly, but the impacted area is not large.<br />

Ecosystem Effects<br />

Potential impacts <strong>of</strong> waste management facilities on ecosystems include effects on pro-<br />

ductivity, stability, and diversity. Evaluation <strong>of</strong> these effects at the generic level is<br />

difficult because <strong>of</strong> the sensitivity <strong>of</strong> these primary impacts to site and design character-<br />

istics which can only be addressed when considering specific installations. Consideration<br />

<strong>of</strong> such siting or design characteristics is beyond the scope <strong>of</strong> this generic statement.<br />

Thus to assess potential effects <strong>of</strong> the waste management options on ecosystems, it is neces-<br />

sary to look for effects inherent in the concepts under consideration.<br />

Potential effects <strong>of</strong> the mined repository option include preemption <strong>of</strong> habitat during<br />

construction and operation <strong>of</strong> waste processing and repository facilities, potential releases<br />

<strong>of</strong> toxic.waste processing chemicals to the environment and potential release <strong>of</strong> toxic spoil<br />

materials. Some preemption <strong>of</strong> habitat is unavoidable but with appropriate location and

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