SAVANNAH RIVER SITE PUBLIC®ULATORY INVOLVEMENT IN THE TRANSURANIC(TRU)WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM RESULTED IN DECISIONS TO ALLOW SMALL QUANTITY SITES TO SHIP TRU WASTE TO SRS&ACCELERATION OF THE SHIP-TO-WIPP PROGRAM

摘要

The key to successful public involvement at the Savannah River Site(SRS)has been and continues to be vigorous,up-front involvement of the public and state regulators with technical experts.We have found that just picking the best technical expert may not achieve success;however,we must choose experts who can speak to the public in easily understood language,making key technical and program points in a friendly,congenial manner.Many times the key to successful interaction is the interplay at breaks,before and after the meetings,and,yes,over lunch. This paper will describe the public involvement program that resulted in consensus and agreements to allow the SRS to receive transuranic(TRU)waste for storage from a small generator site outside of the state of South Carolina prior to shipment to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plan(WIPP)in New Mexico for disposal.The interaction between the stakeholders not only included the general public,but also the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control(SCDHEC)and the South Carolina Governor’s office.The discussions,educational secessions,and negotiations included resolution of equity issues as well and moved forward to an understanding of the difficulties including risk management faced by the Ship-to-WIPP program.Once the program was better understood,the real negotiations concerning equity,safety,and acceleration of shipments could begin.The public involvement resulted in receipt of the TRU waste from the Mound Facility in Ohio based on acceleration of SRS shipments to WIPP.Further challenges are ahead and the process has continued to make sure the public and state regulators understand the significant challenges ahead and the barriers that need to be removed to continue shipping higher activity TRU waste to WIPP.