ML20133H378
| ML20133H378 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/30/1985 |
| From: | Higginbotham L NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Costanzi F NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20133H376 | List: |
| References | |
| CON-FIN-A-3171 NUDOCS 8510170121 | |
| Download: ML20133H378 (2) | |
Text
!
fi o
UNITED STATES P( g y
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
.s j
W ASHING TON, D. C. 20555 5
/'
%.....,~"
AUG 3 0155 MEMORANDUM FOR:
F. A. Costanzi, Chief
. Waste Management Branch Division of Radiation Programs and Earth Sciences, RES Fit 0M:
Leo B. Higginbotham, Chief Low-Level and Uranium Recovery Projects Branch Division of Waste Management, NMSS
SUBJECT:
ARCHIVAL TRENCHES FOR TESTING THE PERFORMANCE OF WASTE PACKAGES AT SPECIFIC LLW DISPOSAL SITES The Division of Waste Management initiated a technical assistance project at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to develop a plan for a low-level waste archival trench under FIN A-3171.
The objective of the archival trench concept would be to obtain site specific long-term data on the performance of candidate waste forms and container materials under actual disposal site conditions.
To date, BNL has completed a background and literature review, and a draft plan for the operation of an archival trench.
At the direction of the NRC project manager, work was suspended prior to initiating contacts with disposal site operators, waste generators, and waste form vendors.
Our review of the archival trench has concluded that such a prnject, if it is to be carried out, would most appropriately be undertaken by the Of fice of Research.
No further work on the Brookhaven technical assistance project will take place.
Remaining funds budgeted for the task will be applied to other work.
At this time, I am forwarding copies of the two reports prepared by BNL, and two staff assessments that were prepared.
Also enclosed is the program plan for this effort. The staff contact for these and related documents is Steve Romano (x74747), the project manager for FIN A-3171.
I would appreciate it if Research would evaluate these materials and share your views on the desirability of conducting an archival trench program, either along the lines suggested by BNL, or in some other fashion which you believe would be preferable. While we understand that BNL staff remain interested in the work and we would have no objection to having the work continue under Research's direction neither are we currently committed to this approach.
Due
's
% N
/
8510170121 851009 N
\\.'%
Mw--
k 1
-g-to the significant costs?that would be associated with implementation of an archival trench, we do be'lieve it is critical that any program that is undertaken should be carefully planned and implemented so that meaningful results are produced.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
A pm, Chief Leo Higginb Low-Level and Uranium Recovery Projects Branch Division of Waste Management, NMSS
Enclosures:
As stated cc:
R. Browning
,i l'
4 r
4
.\\
I
.-