ML20300A459
| ML20300A459 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Consolidated Interim Storage Facility |
| Issue date: | 10/15/2020 |
| From: | Public Commenter Public Commenter |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DREFS |
| NRC/NMSS/DREFS | |
| References | |
| 85FR27447 | |
| Download: ML20300A459 (3) | |
Text
From:
Susan Schuurman <susanjschuurman@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, October 15, 2020 2:01 PM To:
WCS_CISFEIS Resource
Subject:
[External_Sender] Comment re NRC-2016-0231 WCS-ISP application for license for CISF Comment for NRC on 10/15/20 By Susan Schuurman, Nuclear Issues Study Group, Albuquerque, New Mexico Re: WCS/ISP HLRW proposal for a CISF in Andrews County, Texas Docket ID No: NRC-2016-0231 DEIS: NUREG-2239 Email to: WCS_CISF_EIS@nrc.gov I have multiple concerns regarding the Interim Storage Partners/Waste Control Specialists license application to store high level radioactive waste in Andrews County, Texas. Many of my concerns are similar to the concerns already raised about the Holtec International license application for a site near Laguna Gatuna, between Carlsbad and Hobbs, New Mexico. This area has been referred to as Nuclear Alley. In fact, I wonder if NRC staff copied and pasted much of the draft EIS, since the conclusions regarding environmental impacts are nearly identical.
New Mexico is a neighboring state but if you look at the map, ISP wants to build this dump so close to the state line that New Mexico will be impacted more than Texas in many ways.
The waste will come by rail from Eunice, New Mexico, 5 miles away. The water for the ISP site will come from Eunice. Police and Fire Department emergency services will be provided from Eunice. With so much reliance on this little New Mexico town, the NRC should halt this licensing process to allow for in-person hearings in New Mexico so that residents in Eunice will have opportunity to learn how this waste is different and vastly more deadly than the waste currently going to WCS through their community.
I have lived in New Mexico for nearly 30 years and am deeply concerned about the cumulative impacts from all the nearby nuclear sites: WIPP, Urenco, Holtec and WCS/ISP.
Our people do not consent to the NRC making our state a nuclear alley.
I recently learned about the corrupt process in which WCS got approved for Low Level Radioactive Waste. How the precursor to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said groundwater at the WCS site is vulnerable to contamination. And even the NRC admits that the most important and largest aquifer in the United States, the Ogallala, is only 1 mile away from the WCS site. The risk to precious drinking water is too high for this project to be approved.
The habitat of an endangered or threatened species, the Dune Sagebrush Lizard, is at this site. And the Texas Horned Lizard will be also be impacted. Yet the NRC ignores these impacts and claims small impact from the WCS project.
Regarding consultation with Native American tribes, the Texas Band of Yaqui Indians has told the NRC they want to be consulted about this project. But the NRC has ceased
informing that tribe about how the ISP project will impact territory important to that tribal community. That is a violation of international law.
In my opinion, NRC has mastered the art of sleight-of-handgoing through the motions of assessing environmental impact, including environmental justice, yet somehow managing to write and conclude with a straight face (incidentally, not visible at this so-called public hearing) that up is down and down is upthat the most deadly waste on the planet can be brought from across the country and concentrated and consolidated in habitat of an endangered species, 1 mile from the countrys most important aquifer, 4 miles from a majority community of color, and yet still claim no or little environmental impacts. Your process is pre-determined. You dont live up to your mottoyou dont protect people and the environment. Your conclusion lacks credulity, just like with the Holtec proposal in New Mexico. You protect industry and their insatiable greed, you prioritize profits over people, and you perpetuate environmental contamination in the guise of environmental protection.
This DEIS is wholly inadequate, and the pattern and practice of the NRC, to shove these projects down to the throats of communities who do not consent to them, is a form of violence that affects generations. We see this as yet another example of environmental injustice. Finally, this area, the community in Eunice, has already been overburdened with toxic waste. Its time to prioritize people over corporate greed.
Thank you.
Susan Schuurman 2112 Charlevoix St. NW Albuquerque, NM 87104 505-702-4203 susanjschuurman@gmail.com
Federal Register Notice:
85FR27447 Comment Number:
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