Feasibility of co-disposing low-level radioactive waste with uranium mill tailings and/or FUSRAP waste

Analysis of the two most critical factors affecting a co-facility, economics and technical feasibility, indicates that neither should pose significant problems and in fact many aspects, particularly in economics, favor a co-facility over specialized disposal facilities. In consideration of costs, the symbiotic nature of co-facility economics should be recognized by the different parties the co-facility would serve. By minimizing the cost burdens of the LLW/UMTRAP disposal site users, a co-facility offers a unique opportunity for the cooperative subsidization of commercial and governmental operations. Likewise, a LLW/active tailings disposal co-facility affords two different sets of commercial users the opportunity to maximize the economic efficiency of each other's disposal operations. The technical requirements for siting a LLW or uranium mill tailings disposal facility are so similar as to appear tailor-made for a co-facility. Where differences are necessary, such as to distinguish between pollution sources in environmental monitoring, LLW and mill tailings are different. Where similarities are useful, such as in siting criteria and disposal operations, LLW and mill tailings are nearly identical. Institutional factors are split in their adaptability to a co-facility. Although public perceptions will range to both extremes, the fact that a significant percentage of the local populace may favor a co-facility serves as added incentive for such an operation. The institutional aspects which could serve as considerable impediments to co-facility development would be concern about liability in the event of site failure and licensing and legal obstacles associated with UMTRAP disposal that did not meet active tailings disposal licensing requirements