ML20247H331

Summary of 94th Meeting of ACNW on 970923 & 25 & Other Related ACNW Activities Re Highlights of Key Issues Considered by Committee

ML20247H331
Person / Time
Issue date:	10/29/1997
From:	Garrick B NRC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NUCLEAR WASTE (ACNW)
To:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
References
NACNUCLE-S-0091, NACNUCLE-S-91, NUDOCS 9805210136
Download: ML20247H331 (4)

Text

1 jf ' \g UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ACNWS-0091 g 8 ADVISORY COMMITTEE oN NUCLEAR WASTE PDR c, I WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666 g -/['"N

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October 29,1997 i

The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson  !

Chairman  !

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

SUMMARY

REPORT- 94TH MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON j NUCLEAR WASTE (ACNW), SEPTEMBER 23 AND 25,1997, AND OTHER  !

RELATED ACNW ACTIVITIES '

Dear Chairman Jackson:

During its 94th meeting on September 23 and 25,1997 (held at the Mirage Hotel, Grand I Ballroom B,3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada), the ACNW discussed the j following key issues: j REPORT Report to the Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Chairman, NRC, from Dr. B. John Garrick, I Chairman, ACNW," Comments on Performance Assessment Capability in the NRC High-Level l Radioactive Waste Program," dated October 8,1997. l HIGHLIGHTS OF KEY ISSUES CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE i

1. Department of Enerav's Viability Assessment l The Committee was briefed by representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE) on its progress in developing the Viability Assessment (VA) for the Mined Geologic Disposal System (MGDS). DOE representatives discussed the four main VA products and the l planned activities to complete them, including (1) the license application plan, (2) a systematic approach to developing the Engineered Barrier System design, (3) a summary of methodology and assumptions in the total systems performance assessment for the VA, (4) cost estimates for the MGDS VA. The Committee was also briefed on the status of the Project integrated Safety Assessment.

Conclusions / Action items l The Committee will continue to review DOE and staff activities related to the VA.

2. Site Characterization Activities l

DOE briefed the ACNW on a number of important topics related to the Yucca Mountain (YM) project. These topics included an update on site characterization studies, a detailed discussion regarding Enhanced Characterization of the Repository Block, an update on

\ Q Cl-36 studies and a recent peer review, concepts in waste retrievability, DOE's approach 'V '

,. C07 9805210136 971029 PDR ADVCM NACNUCLE S-0091 PDR DEMG HTED ORIGINAL nmned By_ N L----------------------------- - - - - - - - _ - - - - - - - - - .

The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson 2 in lieu of an Environmental Protection Agency standard, and the Biosphere Food Consumption Survey performed in Amargosa Valley.

i DOE representatives updated the status of ongoing thermal tests, Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF) moisture balance studies, Cl-36 studies to evaluate flow-through faults and fractures, shallow holes designed to test flow through the nonwelded Paint Brush Tuff unit, new water tabf e boreholes to evaluate saturated zone characteristics, tests to evaluate fault properties, and plans in the spring of 1998 for excavating a cross drift to explore the characteristics cf the repository block itself.

Conclusions / Actions items The Committee will keep abreast of site characterization results as they become available.

3. Tour of the Exploratory Studies Facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada During the moming of September 24, the Committee was able to traverse the fulllength of the ESF tunnel for the first time, exiting at the south portal. Of particular interest during the underground tour were several stops to observe faults and discuss experiments at the test alcoves and niches. After receiving a general overview of geology, hydrology, faulting, volcanism, and environmental studies at the Yucca Mountain crest, the Committee visited the LM-300 drill site, the C-well complex, the surface fracture evidence of the Ghost Dance Fault at the unsaturated zone (UZ)-7A pad area, and the Rock Valley Fault System.

4. Amarcosa Valley Population Survey A representative from the Management and Operations contractor discussed the results of a recently completed survey on the dietary habits of the critical group in the Amargosa Valley. The study was made to acquire input data for biosphere modeling as part of performance assessment.

Conclusions / Actions items This briefing was for information only, and no future action items resulted from it.

5. Public Comments During this portion of the meeting, representatives from the State of Nevada, the Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force; Nye and Clark Counties, Nevada; and Mr. Bill Vascone, a concemed citizen, made presentations to the Committee.

Mr. Steve Frishman, Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects, focused his presentation on the perceived shifting of principal containment and isolation reliance from the geology of the site to an increased emphasis on the importance of the capabilities of the engineered barriers. He stated that this shift was a variation from the policy indicated in the 1980 environmental impact statement. He also noted that the most recent weather predictions (based upon the expected effects of El Nino) were that Nevada should experience greatly

The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson 3 l w increased rainfall this winter. He encouraged DOE to be prepared to accumulate and interpret any potential data insofar as their impact upon the proposed YM scenarios and models was concemed.

Ms. Judy Treichel, Executive Director, Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force, stressed the need for public involvement in the resolution of issues. She stated that the public could l probably meaningfully participate in postulating scenarios that shou d be considered.

Mr. Nick Stellavato, Nye County Onsite Representative, discussed the Nye County position that there could be substantial benefit in maintaining the repository in a naturally ventilated condition, restricted to human entry. If this finding is independently validated, aqueous transport of radionuclides away from YM to the accessible environment may be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.

In response to a question from Chairman Garrick as to whether there were any further comments from attendees, the following additional presentations were made to the

' Committee.

Mr. Bill Vascone, a concemed citizen, after presenting a myriad of facts, stated his observation that Nevada was a good choice for the storage of wastes. He also stressed that there were people in Nevada who wanted to solve this national problem.

Mr. Engelbrecht von Toisenhousen, Clark County, affirmed his belief in the principle of defense in depth. However, he stated that there was a lack of knowledge in the near-field environment and that unless one understands the environment, one "cannot design I around it." He also requested that the Committee ensure that in the future, legislatively recognized entities accompany the group on its Yucca Mountain field trips.

In closing this session, the Chairman thanked all presenters, noting that their inputs were valuable to the Committee and that their perspectives would be considered. It was noted that the Committee believes that stakeholder and public participation is important in ACNW activities and Commission decisions and builds public confidence.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR THE 95TH ACNW MEETING The Committee agreed to consider the following issues during the 95th ACNW Meeting on October 21-23,1997:

ACNW Retreat - The Committee members will discuss their mission, planned accomplishments, priorities, and work processes for fiscal year 1998-99. The retreat will be held on October 21,1997, =t the William F. Bolger Center for Leadership Development,9600 Newbridge Dr., Potomac, Maryland.

Review of the NRC Research and Technical Assistince -The Committee will review activities of NRC's Offices of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards and Nuclear Regulatory Research in the area of nuclear waste disposal. The ACNW will provide input to the Advisory Committe1 on Reactor Safeguards' February 1998 report to Congress on NRC research.

The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson 4 l

Prenare for Next Meetina With the Commission - The Committee will prepare

. . for its next formal meeting with the Commission. The Committee is scheduled to discuss items of mutual interest with the Commission on December 17,1997.

Preparation of ACNW Reports -The Committee will discuss proposed reports, including a recommended approach to implement the defense-in-depth concept in the revised 10 CFR Part 60, the " Application of Probabilistic Risk Assessment l Methods to Performance Assessment in the NRC High-Level Waste Program,"

ACNW priority issues for 1998, and other topics discussed during the meeting, as necessary.

Committee Activities / Future Amends -The Committee will consider tor.lcs proposed for future consideration by the full Committee and Working Groups. The Committee will also discuss ACNW-related activities of individual members.

OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE

The 96th ACNW meeting is scheduled for November 20-22,1997 and the 97th ACNW meeting is i l scheduled for December 16-18,1997, i

l Sincerely, 4 e

B. John Garrick

(

V Chairman

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