Nuclear Waste > Non-Hanford Work

Non-Hanford Work

In addition to providing oversight and permitting for cleanup at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site, the Nuclear Waste Program provides oversight to the commercial Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility subleased by US Ecology Washington, Inc., French nuclear fuels fabricator AREVA NP, Inc., waste treatment facility Perma-Fix Northwest, and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Northwest Interstate Compact

In 1980, Congress enacted legislation authorizing states to form interstate compacts and develop new regional disposal facilities for low-level radioactive waste. The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of 1980 and the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985 were the results of efforts by Washington, Nevada, and South Carolina, the three states with existing commercial low-level waste disposal facilities, to bring about a more equitable policy of low-level waste disposal across the nation.

In 1985, Congress ratified the Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management. The guiding policy of the compact is the protection of the health and safety of the citizens through the cooperative effort of the party states, while providing for the economical management of low-level radioactive wastes within the compact region. Member states include Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The Rocky Mountain Compact states, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, by an Arrangement can also use the commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.

The Department of Ecology provides staff resources in addition to chairing the Compact for the State of Washington.

US Ecology Washington, Inc. Commercial Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility

The Department of Ecology is responsible for permitting waste shipped to the commercial low-level waste disposal facility operated by US Ecology Washington, Inc., near Richland. The Washington State Department of Health is responsible for ensuring the waste meets the criteria for handling and disposal.

The commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal facility is located near the center of the Hanford Site on approximately 100 acres of federal land leased to the State of Washington. It has been in operation since 1965. 

Under an Agreed Order, the state and facility operators share a mutual objective of implementing an investigation and determining remedial action at the facility due to a release or threatened release of hazardous substances.

The Department of Ecology also manages the Site Closure and Perpetual Care and Maintenance Funds.

Interim Remedial Action Plan

• Memo dated 8/11/10 delaying interim action at the US Ecology facility

Public Participation Plan

Permits

Final Environmental Impact Statement

EIS Technical Support Documents

Data Quality Objectives Summary Report

Groundwater Wells Survey

MTCA study Remedial Investigation Report (Note: Ecology does not consider this document "final" until after the public comment period on the report this fall.)

• Appendix A: Final Field Locations
• Appendix B: Field Activity Reports
• Appendix C: Ground-Penetrating Radar Report
• Appendix D: Soil Sample Results
• Appendix E: Physical Soil Sample Results
• Appendix F: Soil Gas Sample Results
• Appendix G: Gyroscopic Groundwater Well Deviation Report
• Appendix H: Groundwater Sample Results
• Appendix I: Data Validation Reports
• Appendix J: Summary Tables Supporting the Screening of Target Analytes

Validated Data from Model Toxics Control Act Investigation

Public Workshop Announcement

Focus Sheet for Workshop

Groundwater Monitoring Data

Soil Gas Monitoring Data

Soil Monitoring Data

US Ecology, Inc., Monitoring Data Site Investigation Workshop

Agenda for US Ecology, Inc., Site Investigation Monitoring Data Workshop

Site History and Description

Site Hydrologic and Geologic Setting

US Ecology, Inc., Data Quality Objectives

Remedial Investigation Planning

Field Investigation--Drilling Process

Long-Term Monitoring

Data Validation

Target Analyte Screening

Nature and Extent of Contamination

AREVA NP, Inc.

AREVA NP, Inc., is a French-owned company in Richland, Washington. AREVA makes nuclear fuel assemblies for commercial nuclear reactors located all over the world. The plant employs about 600 people and has been in operation since 1972. The plant is operated under a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Ecology's role with the plant is to provide regulatory oversight of its temporary storage of mixed wastes that result from its operations.

Sign up here to receive notice of public involvement opportunities regarding AREVA.

Perma-Fix

Perma-Fix Northwest is a waste treatment facility specializing in treating low-level and mixed low-level waste.  The majority of the waste they treat is USDOE waste, primarily from Hanford.

Rail Spur and Containment Pad Permit Change Request

Temporary Authorization Request

Perma-Fix permit application

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Ecology has issued a permit for storage of mixed wastes at the Mixed Waste Storage Area at the U.S. Navy's Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, located in Bremerton, Washington.