Long term management plan: West Valley disposal area

The Energy Authority and its contractor utilized a systematic approach in selecting a long-term management plan for the West Valley LLRW disposal area. Existing site data were compiled, site problems crucial to site stabilization identified, technologies to correct these problems were identified and assessed, and seven viable long-term management plans were developed and evaluated. Technical evaluation narrowed the field of viable plans to the Precast Concrete Barrel Vault (highest score) and Active Maintenance/Natural Stabilization (next highest score). When considering these two plans, the policy question that most influenced final plan selection was the uncertainty of NRC/DOE requirements for the ultimate transfer of custodial responsibility of the LLRW disposal area to DOE (should the State decide to take this action). Implementing an elaborate stabilization technique such as the Precast Concrete Barrel Vault, which may or may not meet the NRC/DOE requirements, would not be a prudent action at this time. Therefore, it was important to selection a plan that provided maximum flexibility, not only for possible site transfer but for implementing an emerging trench stabilization technology should one be judged desirable. lastly, it is important to maintain the flexibility to meet unanticipated site needs or problems. For these reasons, Active Maintenance/Natural Stabilization appears to be the prudent choice at this time. 5 tables