- Recover and stabilize buried wastes. The buried wastes that were dumped into pits and trenches at the Subsurface Disposal Area at the
Radioactive Waste Management Complex at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory present the greatest long-term threat to the Snake
River Plain aquifer, because they not only contain dangerous radionuclides but also hazardous, flammable and explosive chemicals. The wastes are very
heterogeneous. It will not be possible to get thorough knowledge of the waste characteristics through a sampling program prior to removal of the wastes.
- Discontinue the use of percolation ponds and shallow land burial of low-level radioactive wastes. As contaminated pond
water moves through the vadose zone, it can carry dissolved chemicals to the aquifer. Releases of uncontaminated water can also facilitate the transport of
contaminants to the aquifer by remobilizing vadose zone contamination from prior releases, or driving contaminated groundwater in the perched water bodies
into the aquifer. Radionuclides can also be mobilized from shallow land burial of low-level waste.
- Solidify liquid high-level waste and store the resultant solid products.
- Remediate the vadose zone. A more vigorous research and development program for vadose zone remediation and a better
technology selection process are needed.
- Create a thorough and comprehensive program of groundwater monitoring and contaminant transport research. While
there is a substantial amount of groundwater monitoring already conducted, it is inadequate for the purpose of analyzing the migration of transuranic
radionuclides, notably plutonium, which have not formed plumes. A more focused and open effort needs to be carried out to ensure that a thorough, rigorous,
and effective program of measurements and analysis is conducted. Such a program can probably be conducted within existing resources by rethinking goals of
the program and hiring contractors according to their ability to meet the goals of the program.
- Implement new institutional arrangements for carrying out clean-up. Despite the availability of much sound science and a
growing understanding of the nature of the threats posed by the environmental legacy of the Cold War, the DOE and its contractors have proved unable to
carry out a sound clean-up program. Contractors for clean-up should be selected according to the task at hand, with strict criteria for expertise and
experience relevant to the specific job, as well as for accountability and openness.
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Science for Democratic Action vol.
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Institute for Energy and Environmental Research