Get Involved!
TPA Agencies Propose Extending a Groundwater Barrier
to Further Protect the Columbia River
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Washington State Department of Ecology - the Hanford Site Tri-Party Agreement agencies - are proposing to amend a 1999 interim action Record of Decision (ROD) for contaminated soil and groundwater in the northern area of the Hanford Site along the Columbia River. The proposal includes building a barrier to prevent strontium-90 from entering the Columbia River and removing the existing pump-and-treat system's treatment facility and piping. The Proposed Plan for Amendment of 100-NR-1/NR-2 OU Interim Action Record of Decision (DOE/RL-2009-54) is being issued for a 30-day public comment period June 21- July 22, 2010. The agencies invite your input on this proposed plan.
Background
The 100-NR-1 and NR-2 Operable Units are areas of contaminated soil and groundwater resulting from past operations and waste handling practices at the 100-N Reactor. While the reactor was in operation, large volumes of cooling water were discharged directly to the soil, contaminating the groundwater flowing toward the Columbia River. The main contaminant is strontium-90.
The 1999 interim action ROD called for continued operation of the existing pump-and-treat system to remove strontium-90 from contaminated groundwater and also for evaluation and testing of additional technologies. In 2006, DOE built a 300-foot apatite barrier to determine the effectiveness of this technology on strontium-90.
What is an apatite barrier?
Apatite is the name of a common type of mineral found in bones and rocks. Apatite is a very stable mineral that has the ability to capture and hold radioactive and metal contaminants. A barrier is created by injecting the apatite or apatite-forming chemicals into the ground. This creates a barrier that prevents the strontium-90 from migrating to the river.
What Cleanup Actions Were Evaluated?
Five remedial action alternatives were evaluated in the proposed plan with the overall goal of reducing strontium-90 flux to the Columbia River. These alternatives included:
No Action Alternative
Alternative 1 - Institutional Controls and Monitored Natural Attenuation
Alternative 2 - Resume Operation of Existing Pump?and?Treat System,
Alternative 3 - Impermeable Barrier
Alternative 4 - Apatite Permeable Reactive Barrier.
Under Alternative 4 (the preferred alternative), the apatite permeable reactive barrier would be extended from its current length of 300 ft to approximately 2,500 ft to span the width of the area where strontium-90 concentrations in groundwater exceed the EPA drinking water standard.
The extended permeable reactive barrier would provide increased protection for the Columbia River by immobilizing strontium-90 across a broad section of the shoreline to reduce the amount of strontium-90 that reaches the river.
Schematic of Proposed Permeable Reactive Barrier
The strontium-90 would remain bound within the permeable reactive barrier's apatite matrix, where it would naturally decay to concentrations that reduce the threat to human health and the environment. As part of the preferred alternative, DOE would also decommission the treatment components of the existing 100?NR?2 Operable Unit groundwater pump-and-treat system, which was placed in standby mode in 2006.
What is Being Proposed?
Based on the results of these evaluations, the amendment to the interim action ROD proposes to:
- Construct a subsurface permeable reactive barrier to immobilize strontium-90 present in soil and groundwater, and reduce its flux to the Columbia River through groundwater flow.
- Decommission the existing pump-and-treat system's treatment facility and conveyance piping.
How Can You Become Involved?
The TPA agencies are seeking public input on the remedial action alternatives considered and the preferred alternative recommended for implementation in this Proposed Plan. The public comment period for this document will run from June 21 through July 22 2010. The agencies would like your feedback and will consider all comments before finalizing this proposed plan.
Please submit comments by July 22, 2010 to:
Paula Call
U.S. Department of Energy
Richland Operations Office
P.O. Box 550, A7-75
Richland. WA 99352
Email: 100NRPP@rl.gov
This Proposed Plan can be viewed on line at http://www.hanford.gov under Hanford Events Calendar.
To access the document, click on More Event Calendar. Select any date during the June 21 to July 22 timeframe.
Click on: Public Comment Period on The Proposed Plan for Amendment of 100?NR?1/NR?2 OU Interim Action Record of Decision
The documents are also available for review at the Public Information Repositories listed below.
Seattle
University of Washington
Suzallo Library
Government Publications Division
Attn: David Maack (206)543?4664
Portland
Portland State University
Bradford Price Millar Library
934 SW Harrison
Attn: Claudia Weston (503) 725?4542
Map: http://www.pdx.edu/map.html
Richland
U.S. Department of Energy Public Reading Room
Washington State University, Tri?Cities
Consolidated Information Center, Room 101?L
2770 University Drive
Attn: Janice Parthree (509)372?7443
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2axam2
Spokane
Gonzaga University Foley Center
East 502 Boone
Attn: Linda Pierce (509)323?3834
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2c6bpm
Paddle the Columbia with CRK this summer!
Columbia Riverkeeper invites you to paddle along the Columbia River with us in summer 2010. We will be hosting three exciting paddle adventures in July + August and we hope you will join us. Spots are filling quickly-- register for a trip today!
Don't miss the opportunity to join fellow river supporters on one of these popular paddle adventures. Rental equipment (boat, PFD, paddle, etc.) will be supplied if necessary and all meals and beverages are provided by CRK. Trips dates are included below.
Paddle the Hanford Reach with CRK
CRK invites you to join us for an exciting paddle adventure in Eastern Washington touring the landscape and features of the Hanford Reach. The contrasting environments of the Hanford Reach provide for an amazing paddle experience down a historical section of the Columbia River. View the decommissioned nuclear reactors and buildings of the Hanford site as they lay silent amongst the peaceful and pristine landscape of the limited-access reserve. The site offers abundant wildlife viewing and unique birding opportunities.
This overnight adventure starts off with an evening of camping under the stars in the high-desert environment of the Hanford Reach. Enjoy dinner and guaranteed good times with fellow river supporters. Saturday morning will begin with a fresh breakfast followed by a day full of paddling the Hanford Reach with experts bubbling with facts about the Hanford site. A riverside picnic lunch will also be provided.
2010 Scheduled Trips
Friday, July 16th- Saturday, July 17th
Friday, August 6th- Saturday, August 7th
Friday, August 20th- Saturday, August 21st
* the August 20th-21st trip is almost full-- reserve your spot today if this is the trip you wish to join!
Registration Information
Please complete and email the Registration Form to crk@gorge.net. Trips are limited to 15 people maximum per trip and spots are filled on a first-come basis. Interested participants should be physically prepared for a full-day of paddling (mostly flat water). Trips begin on Friday evening with all participants meeting at the Vernita Bridge launch. After dinner and camping, participants will awaken Saturday morning, have a hearty breakfast, and get out on the water for an 18-mile paddle of the Hanford Reach. Participants will arrive at the take-out at approximately 5:00 PM. Please contact crk@gorge.net with any questions or to request additional information.
View the Hanford Reach Paddle Trip flier
This product was funded through a grant from Washington State Department of Ecology. While these materials were reviewed for grant consistency, this does not necessarily constitute endorsement by the Department.
