ML20126M081
| ML20126M081 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/04/1978 |
| From: | Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Stevenson A SENATE, COMMERCE, SCIENCE & TRANSPORTATION |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20126L908 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-92-71 NUDOCS 9301080197 | |
| Download: ML20126M081 (2) | |
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-CorrmTioners LLW r/f MJBell Docket 27-39 KSDragonette Docket r/f GRoles PDR's WPBishop RECunningham The Honorable Adlai E. Stevenson Stieyers Clairnan, Subconaittee on Science, CVSmith Technology, and Space RBernero -
Comittee on Connerce, Science ESilberstein and Transportation SKent United States Senate OCA(3)
Washington, D.C. 20510 EDO A Secy 78 0570 (3)
Dear tir. Claiman:
GErtter EDO 3660 Eleins Your letter dated April 10, 1978 concerns a catter which 1:ny como BClausser before the Coornission for review and therefore it would bo inappropristcJTaylor for the Comission to respond. However, I am pleased to have this oppor- ELD tunity to respond to the concerns expressed in your lettcr regarding the (siltersh disposal of low. level radioactive waste and tha Sheffield, Illinois. Central radioactive waste disposal site. First and fortnost. I vauld 111.0 to File state that there is no imediato threat to public health and safety due LLW File:
to the uperation of the Sheffield sito or any of the other comercial Cong. Rec mste disposal sites, honetheless, the Comission shares your concerns LVGossick and believes that improvouents in low-level waste disposal are necessary. WJDircks The Ccuraission los already taken steps to develop and improve its TRehm regulatory prograro for low-level waste disposal. {lKShapar A copy of the Nuclear Regulatory Comission's Low-Level Radioactive Waste iianagenent Program (NUREG.0240) is enclosed f or your informtion.
As can be seen, the Comission lus a number of studies underway or planned, and is developing regulations and criteria to address the specific concerns tnat ynu have mentioned. Among other topics, the progra.a covers assessment of alternative disposal methods; develognent of criteria for siting, design and operation of low-level waste dispo-sal sites; and technt':al and funJing requirteents for post-operational mintenance and monitoring programs. The Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC) is also coordinating its own studies with those of the States, privete industry, and other Federal agencies such as the United States Geologic Survey (USGS), the Environnental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). The studies are aimed at improving methods for siting and operating low. level waste disposal facilities.
In regard to the Sheffield site, the HRC and the Illinois Health Departaent are reviewing the adequacy of the site for future operation.
In particular, the staff is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement
/ /gd )j, (EIS) and on the Board Licensing Sheffield site andprior are planned public hearings to any decisionbefore an Atornic on whether to Safety permit renewal of the Sheffield license and rxoansbn nf n >cratinnt /
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The Hovic.sblo Adlai E. Stevenson You expressed concer.15 regarding current site operations, long-term care, sabotago snd physical security, and liquid releases through migration.
These arcos are boing specifically addressed in the CIS. The EIS is also addressing tr.a impact of waste that lus already been buried in the exis-1.ino cite, waste that would be buried in an expanded site, and possible mitlgad.ig seasures that could be applied to correct sito deficiencios, .
if cuch ecasur es are fouwJ to be necessary. Exhumation of the waste is one such mitigt'ing neovre that could be considered. However, no public health and safety ,1roblan las been identified at this time which muld require exnumatfor, of the waste.
As part of our overall low-levei waste program, we do plan to perform a risk assessment of the inzards involved with exhuming buried mstes and transporting the wastes to a new location. Another alternativo that is being considered by hRC for long-tera control of low-level radioactive wastes is Federal landownership for the currently licensed sites.
In suxary, I believe th&t the NRC and the Sta tes are responsibly fulfilling their duty to protect the public health and safety in their regulation of the Shoffield and other low-level vaste disposal ::ites.
At all sites, inspections are routinely conducted and monitoring pro-grams havu been establisned which are designed to detect problans in time to take any needed correctivo measures, proceedings underway will determine the future of the Sheffield site. A comprehensive URC program to upgrade shallow land burial is underway and is being coordinated with those Federal agencies having expertise that can be applied to improving waste disposal practices, I hope tras my letter tas been responsive to your concerns. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely.
pec Lee V. Gossick Executive Director for Operations
Enclosure:
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