[Federal Register: April 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 83)]
[Notices]
[Page 23117]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30ap03-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment
Addendum for Disposition of Additional Waste at the Paducah Gaseous
Diffusion Plant
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), announces the availability of
the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) Addendum for Disposition of
Additional Waste at the Paducah Site (DOE/EA-1339A) for public review
and comment. The Draft EA Addendum has been prepared in accordance with
the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as
amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); Council on Environmental
Quality regulations implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500-1508; and DOE
NEPA Implementing Procedures, 10 CFR part 1021.
The Draft EA Addendum evaluates the potential environmental impacts
associated with transportation of waste to disposal facilities at
various locations throughout the United States. The Draft EA Addendum
also evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the
no action alternative and enhanced on-site storage alternative.
The public is invited to comment on the Draft EA Addendum during
the public comment period. All comments received will be considered in
preparation of the final EA Addendum. Late comments will be considered
to the extent practicable.
DATES: The review period for the Draft EA Addendum begins May 4, 2003,
and ends June 4 or 14 days from the date of this notice, whichever is
later. Comments postmarked after that date will be considered to the
extent practicable. One public meeting to discuss issues and receive
oral comments on the Draft EA Addendum will be held on May 13, 2003, at
6 p.m. C.D.T. at the DOE Environmental Information Center, Barkley
Centre, 115 Memorial Drive, in Paducah, Kentucky. The public meeting
will provide the public with an opportunity to present comments, ask
questions, and discuss concerns with DOE officials regarding the Draft
EA Addendum. Specific information regarding the public meeting can be
obtained by calling 1-270-441-5204, writing to the address above, or
electronically.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft EA Addendum may be submitted by mail:
U.S. Department of Energy, Paducah Site Office, Attn: Mr. Gary
Bodenstein, PO Box 1410, Paducah, KY 42001, by fax (1-270-441-6801), or
electronically (BodensteinGW@oro.doe.gov).
Copies of the Draft EA Addendum may also be obtained by contacting
Mr. Gary Bodenstein by any of the means described above. The Draft EA
Addendum is available for review at the U.S. Department of Energy
Environmental Information Center, Barkley Center, 115 Memorial Drive,
in Paducah, Kentucky. The Draft EA Addendum is also available for
review at the U.S. Department of Energy Public Reading Room at 230
Warehouse Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the DOE
NEPA process, please contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office
of NEPA Policy and Compliance (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, telephone 202-586-4600,
or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EA Addendum is tiered from the recently
completed Environmental Assessment for Waste Disposition Activities at
the Paducah Site, Paducah Kentucky, DOE/EA-1339. The Draft EA Addendum
evaluates DOE's proposed disposition activities for legacy and future-
generated low-level waste from the Paducah Site in Paducah, Kentucky.
The EA Addendum is needed because DOE has identified 17,600
m3 of additional low-level waste currently stored at the
Paducah Site that needs to be dispositioned. The additional waste would
be transported to various disposal locations throughout the United
States by truck, rail, or inter-modal shipment. Off-site treatment and
disposal locations for waste disposition include facilities in Nevada,
Utah, Texas, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The Draft EA
Addendum also evaluates the no action alternative. Under this
alternative, DOE would not perform disposition activities except for
those needed for standard waste management and maintenance. No disposal
of the existing and projected quantities of waste would occur. DOE
would continue to store such waste. Ongoing non-Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act waste
management operations would continue. The Draft EA Addendum also
evaluates the alternative of enhanced on-site storage of the waste.
David R. Allen,
NEPA Compliance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-10642 Filed 4-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M