Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant

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The Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant occupies approximately 324 hectares (811 acres) within the Oak Ridge Reservation in the Bear Creek Valley, and is located approximately 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) from downtown Oak Ridge, Tennessee. See the Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education section of this report for the Locality Map.

FACILITY MISSION

Built in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, the original mission of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant was to use an electromagnetic process to separate uranium isotopes. Between World War II and 1993 this mission continued. The role of the Y-12 Plant has evolved into supporting highly sophisticated manufacturing and development engineering associated with the production and fabrication of nuclear weapons components.

The Y-12 Plant is implementing new programmatic changes while maintaining safe and reliable nuclear weapons processing technologies. Currently, the work force is refocusing technical capabilities and expertise at the facility to provide: (1) nuclear weapons component disassembly and storage, (2) enriched uranium material storage and management, (3) weapons process technology and development support, (4) renovation or decontamination and decommissioning of standby or shutdown buildings, (5) transfer of the Department of Energy-developed technology to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. industry in world markets, and (6) maintenance and support to the Department of Energy's Office of Non-Proliferation and Arms Control.

Environmental management activities ongoing at the site include environmental restoration activities to assess the condition and contamination of sites and facilities to decide how the contamination can be contained or cleaned up. In December 1989, the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant was placed on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List as part of the Oak Ridge Reservation. In January 1992, a Federal Facilities Agreement was signed between the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency Region IV, and the State of Tennessee that provides a framework for remediation activities at the plant. Containment and cleanup are proceeding according to evaluations of risk to the public and the environment. Facilities no longer needed by the plant are being stabilized for future decommissioning.

Onsite waste management facilities treat, store, and dispose of waste generated by ongoing operations at the Y-12 Plant, including environmental restoration; they also prepare some waste to be transferred offsite for treatment or disposal. Waste management activities are conducted under the requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Department of Energy Orders, and other federal and state laws.

The Department's Office of Defense Programs is the landlord of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, and this report assumes it to remain in that capacity for the life cycle of this estimate. However, surplus facilities and areas will continue to transfer to the Environmental Management program.

FUTURE USE

The Department of Energy has been developing strategic plans regarding future use of the Oak Ridge Reservation and the Y-12 Plant through the Common Ground Process. This process is a stakeholder-driven process to determine preferred land-use options for the Oak Ridge Reservation so that cleanup operations are based on the most likely and acceptable land uses. The land uses recommended by the Department of Energy as a result of the Common Ground Process are used for planning facility use and reuse for the next 25 years. A 25-year period was chosen based on realistic land-use planning. The Department of Energy will revise land use at the Oak Ridge Reservation regularly to reflect recommended changes and new information. The land-use recommendations for cleanups are effective in terms of cost and risk management, while taking into account the preferences of the stakeholders. The Common Ground Report has been completed. The recommendations for the 25-year period are assumed to remain the same for the life-cycle estimate of this report.

The proposed future land-use designations are as follows: Industrial, Open Space/Wildlife Management, and Controlled Access. These proposed land uses are illustrated in the future use map which can be found in the Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education site summary. The Industrial, with restricted use category applies to those areas that are currently in use or identified by the Y-12 Plant as proposed facilities for research and development, operations, or support. These sites will remain under government control, providing administrative and engineering controls to protect worker health and safety.

For the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek area, current Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act documentation describes the proposed land use as Industrial, with additional exposure restrictions, such as physical contact with the creek and unmonitored excavation. This proposed land use seems to be the most realistic alternative because of the levels of both radioactive and nonradioactive contamination.

Land uses in the Bear Creek Valley were agreed upon by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency according to the Feasibility Study alternatives screening process. Buried waste will remain in place and under Department of Energy control due to the high costs associated with excavation of this waste. It is expected that uncapped areas will be capped or treated in place to mitigate further releases of contaminants to ground water and surface water. Areas to the west of the burial grounds extending to Highway 95 will be restored to Open Space/Wildlife Management because contamination is believed to be limited to shallow soil depths located in depositional areas of the Bear Creek floodplain. These shallow soils will be excavated and consolidated on the Department of Energy property.

Land use for the Chestnut Ridge Area Operable Unit 2 (the Filled Coal Ash Pond/Upper McCoy Branch) has been documented in the Feasibility Study alternative screening process. Remediation will include stabilization of the dam, which will remain under Department of Energy control. The Chestnut Ridge area includes many waste management areas. These areas are not being evaluated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act process because this estimate assumes them to remain Controlled Access, regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Land use for the undeveloped areas of Chestnut Ridge has not been determined, but this estimate assumes they will remain Open Space/Wildlife Management areas.

NUCLEAR MATERIAL AND FACILITY STABILIZATION

A total of 23 facilities at the Y-12 Plant are proposed for incorporation into the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program. Three of these 23 facilities comprise almost 93,333 square meters (1 million square feet) of combined floor space. These contaminated facilities are either currently declared surplus or projected to be surplus within the next five years. Although additional facilities will transfer to the Environmental Management program over time, this report only estimates those facilities that have already been declared surplus. A total of four scheduling transfer units have been identified for current surplus facilities.

These scheduling transfer units define projects that will accomplish stabilization and deactivation, thereby reducing environmental, health, and safety risks; consolidating and removing waste inventories; and reducing surveillance and maintenance costs as facilities are prepared for decommissioning. Although alternate uses are also pursued during this process, this baseline report assumes that all of the facilities will be transferred to the Environmental Restoration program for decommissioning following completion of nuclear material and facility stabilization actions. This report further assumes the Office of Defense Programs completed stabilization activities for all scheduling transfer unit facilities. This estimate assumes that all nuclear material and facility stabilization activities will be complete by FY 2015. Descriptions of the scheduling transfer units follow.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 4, or the "Oil project," includes six small facilities used for chemical/oil filtration, pumping, and storage. This report assumes that Defense Programs completed stabilization actions in these facilities prior to transfer to the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program. This estimate further assumes that nuclear material and facility stabilization activities associated with Scheduling Transfer Unit 4 will begin in FY 1998 and be completed by FY 2003.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 7 includes one major facility, Building 9201-5, which contains approximately 49,290 square meters (64,570 square yards) of floor space. The facility served a number of weapons-related production functions including arc melt, assembly, coating, machining, and nondestructive testing operations. This estimate assumes that nuclear material and facility stabilization activities associated with this scheduling transfer unit will begin in FY 1999 and be completed by FY 2014.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 8 includes one major facility, Building 9204-4, which contains approximately 25,482 square meters (33,381 square yards) of floor space. The facility served a number of weapons-related production functions including assembly, metal preparation, machining, and nondestructive testing operations. This estimate assumes that nuclear material and facility stabilization activities associated with this scheduling transfer unit will begin in FY 1999 and be completed by FY 2015.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 9 includes one facility, Building 9206, which contains approximately 6,231 square meters (8,163 square yards) of floor space. The facility was used for weapons-related chemical processing operations. This report assumes that nuclear material and facility stabilization activities associated with this scheduling transfer unit will begin in FY 1998 and be completed by FY 2014.

The scope of the site's Waste Management program includes all costs associated with treatment, storage, and disposal of waste generated by the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program. This estimate assumes that there will be no associated costs for program management/support for the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. Parametric models determined the cost estimates for all scheduling transfer units.

PRE-DEACTIVATION/STABILIZATION SURVEILLANCE AND MAINTENANCE

Pre-deactivation/stabilization surveillance and maintenance activities will focus on monitoring and maintenance of facilities. These actions will be reviewed and revised appropriate with intended future Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program activities. Currently, these activities are planned for Scheduling Transfer Units 7, 8, and 9.

STABILIZATION

Stabilization activities currently planned at Scheduling Transfer Units 7, 8, and 9 will focus on high priority problems and limited decontamination and corrections for hazardous and mixed waste. This estimate assumes that stabilization activities for all applicable scheduling transfer units will be completed by FY 2006.

POST-STABILIZATION SURVEILLANCE AND MAINTENANCE

Post-stabilization surveillance and maintenance activities will focus on required health physics checks, instrumentation monitoring and repair, and facility maintenance for all scheduling transfer units until deactivation begins. This estimate assumes that all post-stabilization surveillance and maintenance activities for all scheduling transfer units will be complete by FY 2008.

DEACTIVATION

Deactivation activities will include limited decontamination, instrumentation and utility consolidation or elimination, and waste and recyclable material removal for all scheduling transfer units. This estimate assumes that deactivation activities for all scheduling transfer units will be completed by FY 2012.

POST-DEACTIVATION SURVEILLANCE AND MAINTENANCE

Post-deactivation surveillance and maintenance activities will consist of required monitoring and maintenance of facilities for all scheduling transfer units until they are transferred to the Environmental Restoration Decommissioning program. This report assumes that post-deactivation surveillance and maintenance activities for all scheduling transfer units will be completed by FY 2015.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

Because the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant contains facilities that generate, treat, store, and dispose of hazardous and radioactive materials, there are numerous areas that will require investigation and remediation. Altogether, over 200 areas of concern have been identified. This baseline report assumes that all major sites requiring remediation have been identified; however, continuing investigations may lead to the discovery of additional areas. Areas of concern may include landfills, incinerators, storage areas, above-ground and underground tanks, surface impoundments, and treatment plants. These areas are currently under investigation to determine whether remediation is required and, if so, the best technology for the remediation. In order of increasing mobility, the contaminants present at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant are metals, radionuclides, volatile organic compounds, and nitrates.

Environmental restoration activities are conducted within the framework of the 1992 Federal Facilities Agreement. This agreement requires preparing an assessment and proposed remediation plan for each site (or group of sites); submitting the plan to various stakeholders, such as regulatory agencies and interested members of the public; and identifying, in a Record of Decision, which of the proposed remedial action alternatives described in the plan has been selected for implementation.

Areas of concern at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant have been consolidated into three hydrologic, geographical units. These units include the Chestnut Ridge Hydrologic Region, the Bear Creek Valley Region, and the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Characterization Area. Also included in the estimate are areas that are yet to undergo preliminary assessment/site inspections. These areas are referred to as the Y-12 Study Areas. All decommissioning activities at the Plant are considered to be a separate area action.

There is a large facility that the Office of Defense Programs no longer needs that have been transferred to the Environmental Restoration program for surveillance and maintenance and decommissioning. In addition, this estimate assumes that the facilities identified in the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization section of the report will ultimately be transferred to the Environmental Restoration program for decommissioning. In most cases, this report assumes that these facilities will be cleaned up for industrial reuse.

Although the Environmental Restoration program's primary mission is to remediate contaminated sites and decommission facilities, it may also be responsible for some of the associated costs for treatment, storage and disposal for some of its activities. To manage the waste associated with environmental restoration activities, onsite and commercial options are evaluated. Evaluations are based on the activities conducted, the risk associated with those activities, and the cost of onsite versus commercial capability. In performing these option evaluations, the Environmental Restoration program, with the support of the Waste Management program, prepares waste management plans and develops project specifications and waste management documentation.

For waste treatment, storage, and disposal performed onsite, all associated activities and costs are included within the scope of the Waste Management program. Because offsite treatment, storage, and disposal costs can appear in either Environmental Restoration or Waste Management program estimates, each of the area discussions below identifies the organization responsible for associated costs.

Chestnut Ridge Hydrologic Region

The Chestnut Ridge Hydrologic Region is being evaluated as four distinct operable units. These include Operable Unit 1 - the Security Pits; Operable Unit 2 - the Filled Coal Ash Pond and Upper McCoy Branch watershed; Operable Unit 3 - the United Nuclear Corporation site; and Operable Unit 4 - Rogers Quarry and the Lower McCoy Branch. This estimate assumes that access and use of these sites will remain restricted for the life cycle of this estimate.

ASSESSMENT

The Operable Unit 1 - the Security Pits consist of a series of trenches used for the disposal of hazardous chemical waste until 1984 and nonhazardous waste disposal until 1988. In 1988, the unit was capped in accordance with a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation-approved Resource Conservation and Recovery Act closure plan. This unit currently remains in interim status pending issuance of a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act post-closure permit from the State of Tennessee.

Operable Unit 2 - the Filled Coal Ash Pond was constructed in 1955 to serve as a settling basin for coal ash from the Y-12 Steam Plant Facility. By 1967, the pond had filled, and sediments overflowed into the McCoy Branch and flowed into Rogers Quarry. In 1993, a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study began at Operable Unit 2 and was completed in March 1995. The primary contaminants at this operable unit include metals and radionuclides in the coal ash slurry. The approved proposed plan includes stabilization of the earth embankment, which remains in the pond to prevent future releases of coal ash slurry to the environment. This operable unit site will remain under Department of Energy control. This report assumes that assessments for this operable unit will be completed by FY 1999.

Operable Unit 3 - the United Nuclear Corporation site received 11,000 0.2-cubic meter (55-gallon) drums of sludge fixed in cement; 18,000 drums of contaminated soil; and 288 wooden boxes of contaminated building materials between 1982 and 1984. In accordance the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements outlined in a 1991 Record of Decision, the area has been covered with a multilayer cap. This estimate assumes that No Further Action is required at this operable unit.

Operable Unit 4 - Rogers Quarry was used as a source of construction materials during the 1940s and 1950s. The quarry was abandoned in the 1960s, at which time the quarrying equipment was left in place, and it was allowed to fill with water. The quarry was contaminated by coal ash from Operable Unit 2 and was used for the disposal of other plant process materials. Historical analysis of quarry sediments and surface water indicates that there is minimal risk associated with this site. This estimate assumes that No Further Action is required for this operable unit.

REMEDIAL ACTION

Future remedial actions at Operable Unit 1 include collecting and transporting contaminated surface water from the waste trenches to treatment facilities at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. For the Operable Unit 2 Coal Ash Pond, the assumed remedial action will be stabilization of the dam with surface-water rerouting. A Record of Decision identifying this preferred remedial action alternative for Operable Unit 2 is scheduled for approval in June 1996. Remedial actions at these operable units are intended to prevent the transport of contaminants from the identified sources; however, they will not remove existing contamination. This estimate assumes that remedial activities at these operable units will be completed by FY 2005.

Contaminated surface water collected from Operable Unit 1 seeps and springs will be treated at an existing Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant treatment facility and discharged through a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System monitored outfall. This estimate assumes that no soil or sediment will be excavated under the proposed remedial action alternative.

Bear Creek Valley Region

Bear Creek Valley is being evaluated as a single watershed with multiple sources contributing to ground-water and surface-water contamination. The Bear Creek Valley Watershed includes the following potential contaminant sources: the S-3 Ponds (four unlined surface impoundments used for disposal of process effluent), oil-retention ponds, an oil landfarm, waste burial grounds, a site used for a boneyard and burnyard, two spoil areas, and a storage yard.

ASSESSMENT

The S-3 Ponds were constructed in 1951 and consist of four unlined surface impoundments with a total storage capacity of approximately 38 million liters (10 million gallons). The primary contaminants in the S­3 Ponds were nitrates and uranium, with some heavy metals and organic solvents. During operations, effluent pumping into the pond was as high as 20,845 liters (5,500 gallons) per day. In 1988, the S-3 Ponds were closed as a landfill under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements. Site closure was completed through the construction of an asphalt parking lot over the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act cap.

Oil Retention Ponds 1 and 2 were constructed to intercept seepage from burial trenches. Both ponds were closed in 1990 under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The Oil Landfarm was used for dumping waste oils and coolants containing beryllium compounds, depleted uranium, polychlorinated biphenyls, and chlorinated organic compounds. Operations ceased in 1982, and in 1990 the landfarm was closed in accordance with a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act closure plan that the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Tennessee approved.

Sanitary Landfill received nonhazardous waste from the Y-12 Plant until 1982. In 1983, the site was graded, capped, and closed in accordance with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation sanitary landfill regulations. The burial grounds cover an area of approximately 8 hectares (20 acres). Trenches were excavated to a depth of 14 to 25 feet and filled with hazardous and nonhazardous solid and liquid waste, including volatile organic compounds. Hazardous waste disposal operations at this site were discontinued in 1981. The site has been capped as part of approved Resource Conservation and Recovery Act closures.

The boneyard/burnyard consists of approximately eight acres used from 1953 to 1970 as a burning and disposal site for sanitary, metallic, chemical, and radioactive solid waste and debris from the Y-12 Plant. The southeastern two acres of the boneyard/burnyard is referred to as the chemical storage area. This area was used to burn or neutralize liquid and gaseous waste from 1975 to 1981. This area was closed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and capped.

The Rust Spoil Area was used for the disposal of scrap material from renovation and maintenance as well as approximately 76,000 cubic meters (99,560 cubic yards) of nonuranium-contaminated construction spoils. Contaminants include solvents, asbestos, and mercury.

Spoil Area 1 is located near the southwest end of the Y-12 Plant. This area was used for disposal of approximately 76,000 cubic meters (99,560 cubic yards) of construction debris originally designated as nonhazardous and nonradioactive. Review of past plant practices indicates that some of the material may have actually been contaminated with trace amounts of asbestos, mercury, beryllium, thorium, and uranium. The contaminated areas have been capped to prevent any infiltration of water that could mobilize the contaminants. A Record of Decision proposing No Further Action at this site is currently being developed. Maintenance of the existing soil cap will continue indefinitely.

The SY-200 Yard provided above-ground storage for polychlorinated biphenyls-containing transformers, lead shielding plates, and radioactively contaminated materials. Soil contamination is of primary concern in both spoil areas and the storage yard. The contaminated areas have been capped to prevent any infiltration of water that could mobilize the contaminants. A Record of Decision proposing No Further Action at this site is currently being developed. This report assumes that assessments for the Bear Creek Valley Region will be completed by FY 2015.

REMEDIAL ACTION

Planned remedial action in the Bear Creek Valley Region includes covering an additional 4 hectares (10 acres) of the burial grounds with a cap. At the boneyard/burnyard, approximately 1,520 cubic meters (1,991 cubic yards) of soil are to be excavated and relocated to a portion of the site for capping. Ground water and surface water collected from the Bear Creek Valley watershed is treated at a facility constructed by the Environmental Restoration program and currently operated by the Waste Management program. Hot spots in the Bear Creek flood plain will be cleared of contaminated vegetation and soils. Implementation of these remedial action alternatives assumes that the Department of Energy will maintain control of the waste management areas for the foreseeable future. However, the Bear Creek Valley west of the burial grounds will eventually be restored to unrestricted use since contamination is limited to shallow soil depths in depositional areas of the flood plain. This estimate assumes that remedial activities at these operable units will be completed by FY 2020.

Treated water is discharged through an existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System outfall. All excavated soils will remain onsite, covered by a soil cap. Consistent with existing Memorandum of Understandings, the scope of remedial actions includes costs for design and construction of the facility. The scope of the Waste Management program includes costs for facility operation.

This baseline report assumes that approximately 291,477 cubic meters (381,835 cubic yards) of hazardous ground water, 218,494 cubic meters (286,227 cubic yards) of low-level mixed radioactive ground water, and 189 cubic meters (248 cubic yards) of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated ground water will be sent to the treatment facility during the life cycle of this estimate. This report also assumes that these activities will result in approximately 16,717 cubic meters (21,899 cubic yards) of hazardous sludges, which will be disposed of by the Waste Management program.

Upper East Fork Poplar Creek

The Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Characterization Area consists of both surface-water and ground-water components of the watershed and contributing contaminant sources. The Characterization Area is bounded by the base of Pine Ridge to the north and Chestnut Ridge to the south. The area is bounded to the west by the Bear Creek Characterization Area and to the east by the Department of Energy property boundary. The Characterization Area also includes a ground-water contamination plume that extends beyond the Department of Energy site boundary to the east.

ASSESSMENT

Numerous primary and secondary sources of contamination have been identified within the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Characterization Area. Infiltration from the S-3 Area dominates contamination in the western end of the area. The salvage yard, the S-2 Area, and the 81-10 Area have also been identified as potentially significant sources. In addition, over 200 areas of concern have been identified as low-priority contaminant sources.

To take advantage of the wealth of historical data available for the characterization area, a modified Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study approach was proposed and accepted by all Federal Facilities Agreement parties. This approach uses historical data to the fullest possible extent to complete the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study and to focus data collection efforts on specific Feasibility Study needs. The process will also use "uncertainty" management techniques to bound rather than quantify data deficiencies. Because an extensive storm sewer system lies beneath the characterization area, a subbasin approach is used to link information from potential source areas, such as soil data and waste inventories, to surface-water and ground-water data. This approach will allow each subbasin to be prioritized according to its relative contaminant contributions to the surface and ground water. This estimate assumes that assessment activities for the characterization area will be completed by FY 2030.

The Remedial Investigation Work Plan for the characterization area has been submitted to the regulatory agencies. This work plan details the process to be used to evaluate existing data and the methodology to determine the significance of data gaps, and the need for additional sampling and monitoring.

REMEDIAL ACTION

Although work within this characterization area is still in the investigation phase, this estimate assumes that remediation for Upper East Fork Poplar Creek will require a combination of technologies, including the installation of caps over certain areas, demolition of buildings and equipment, soil excavation, and other measures. Ground-water treatment is based on air stripping volatile organics and releasing them to Upper East Fork Poplar Creek. Remediation may also include the installation of caps over certain areas, demolition of buildings and equipment, soil excavation, and other measures.

Interim remedial actions are currently under way to reduce mercury levels in Y-12 Plant wastewater to remain in compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge permit conditions. Actions include elimination of potential sources by the removal of contaminated piping. Source elimination projects were completed in 1995. A mercury treatment system has been completed to remove mercury from ground water extracted from beneath Building 9201-2. Additional evaluation and design of mercury treatment systems is underway for Buildings 9201-5, 9201-4, and 9204-4 and Outfall 51. This estimate assumes that evaluation and design of these mercury systems will be completed by FY 2005.

This baseline report assumes that approximately 765 cubic meters (1,002 cubic yards) of low-level mixed waste soil will be removed and sent to the Y-12 Plant's Waste Management program, along with 14 cubic meters (18.3 cubic yards) of low-level waste soil and 76 cubic meters (100 cubic yards) of miscellaneous types of soil waste. This report assumes that remedial actions at Upper East Fork Poplar will be completed by FY 2010.

The Upper East Fork Poplar Creek life-cycle baseline contains plans for a ground-water capture and treatment system to remove volatile organic compounds present in an offsite ground-water plume. The capture system will consist of 16 wells located between the base of Chestnut Ridge and the base of Pine Ridge. These wells will deliver ground water to an air stripper treatment system to remove the organics. The treatment system effluent will be released through an existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System outfall. This baseline report assumes that approximately 9,464 cubic meters (12,398 cubic yards) of low-level mixed contaminated ground water will be sent to the Y-12 Plant Waste Management program for treatment; however, this report further assumes that the 397,468 cubic meters (520,683 cubic yards) of low-level waste ground water will be managed by the Environmental Restoration program.

Y-12 Study Areas

Over 200 areas of concern have been identified in the Y-12 Plant area as low-priority contaminant sources. Most of these areas have not yet undergone a Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection to ascertain if they truly are of concern and need further investigation and remedial actions. However, to capture all future costs in this estimate, assessment and remedial action costs have been included for these sites. The Environmental Restoration program is responsible for the surveillance and maintenance of these sites until they are remediated, or it is determined that they require No Further Action. This report assumes that if cleanup of these sites is necessary, the remedial actions would be similar to those already planned or executed at the Y-12 Plant, including capping, hot spot soil removal, and tank excavation. Waste volume were not included in this estimate because little was know about these sites.

Decommissioning

Building 9201-4 is the only facility currently in the Y-12 Plant decommissioning program. However, the decommissioning of facilities identified in the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program is also included within the scope of the Environmental Restoration program estimate. These estimates were prepared using a parametric model, and the details of decommissioning activities are not known. As facilities are transferred from the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program, they will be assessed and plans for decommissioning will be formulated. This estimate assumes that a total of five scheduling transfer units, including one that is currently within the scope of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program, will be transferred to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program by FY 2015.

BUILDING 9201-4

Decontamination plans for the eventual end use of Building 9201-4 were originally developed to allow eventual unrestricted reuse. However, in FY 1995 the proposed final status of this building was changed to an "unoccupied warehouse." Implementation of Phases 2 and 3 of the earlier decommissioning plan has been eliminated. Other facilities for decommissioning will continue to be identified as the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant focuses on new and changing missions. This report assumes that assessment at this facility will be completed by FY 1996.

An interim action for abatement of asbestos material from Building 9201-4 is scheduled for completion in FY 2015. All decommissioning and demolition activities at the facility are scheduled for completion by FY 2015. All facility decommissioning at the Y-12 Plant is scheduled for completion by FY 2035.

Decommissioning activities at 9201-4 include the removal of over 8,000 cubic meters (10,480 cubic yards) of hazardous liquids, 700 cubic meters (917 cubic yards) of hazardous sludges, 500 cubic meters (655 cubic yards) of hazardous soil, 2,500 cubic meters (3,275 cubic yards) of hazardous metal debris, 300 cubic meters (393 cubic yards) of asbestos, 800 cubic meters (1,048 cubic yards) of biological debris, 90 cubic meters (118 cubic yards) of hazardous rubble and other debris, and 850 cubic meters (1,114 cubic yards) of low-level radioactive waste soil. The removal of these materials will allow the Department of Energy or other entities to reuse the facility.

Waste anticipated to be generated during decommissioning of Building 9201-4 includes chiefly hazardous waste, including mercury, low-level waste soils and asbestos-contaminated materials. Some other incidental low-level radioactive or mixed waste may be encountered, but is not expected to be a significant problem. Disposal of hazardous and mixed waste will be at offsite facilities. Low-level radioactive waste is no longer disposed of at the Y-12 Plant. It is currently being stored pending availability of offsite disposal. The disposal of this waste will be coordinated through the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant Waste Management program.

SCHEDULING TRANSFER UNITS

The Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization program currently expects to complete post-deactivation activities at all Y-12 Plant scheduling transfer units by FY 2015. This estimate also assumes that the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will transfer Scheduling Transfer Unit 13 to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program for decommissioning. This report assumes that decommissioning activities at all these scheduling transfer units will be completed by FY 2035.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 4, the Z Oil project, is currently expected to be transferred to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program in FY 2003. This estimate assumes that decommissioning activities associated with this project will be completed by FY 2005.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 7, the Building 9201-5 project, is currently expected to be transferred to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program in FY 2014. This estimate assumes that decommissioning activities associated with this project will be completed by FY 2035.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 8, the Building 9204-4 project, is currently expected to be transferred to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program in FY 2015. This estimate assumes that decommissioning activities associated with this project will be completed by FY 2035.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 9, the Building 9206 project, is currently expected to be transferred to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program in FY 2014. This estimate assumes that decommissioning activities associated with this project will be completed by FY 2030.

Scheduling Transfer Unit 13, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory "Medium Rankers" project, is currently expected to be transferred to the Y-12 Plant Environmental Restoration program in FY 2009. This estimate assumes that decommissioning activities associated with this project will be completed by FY 2015.

Long-Term Surveillance and Monitoring

All costs associated with long-term surveillance and monitoring are included as one line item in this estimate. At the Chestnut Ridge Hydrologic Region, a network of ground-water monitoring wells were installed to monitor contaminant migration from Operable Unit 1. The Operable Unit 1 closure plan also requires quarterly sampling and reporting. Surface-water effluent from Rogers Quarry (Operable Unit 4) is monitored under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. Monitoring of ground water is also required under the Operable Unit 3 Record of Decision. This estimate assumes that long-term surveillance and monitoring at the Chestnut Ridge Hydrologic Region will continue until FY 2010.

Quarterly ground-water monitoring is performed in the Bear Creek Valley Region and reported annually in the Ground-Waste Quarterly Assessment Report. Semi-annual ground-water monitoring is required as part of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act post-closure permit for the S-3 Ponds and the Oil Landfarm. The Y-12 Plant Ground-Water program currently conducts quarterly ground-water monitoring of the burial grounds until the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issues the post-closure permit for those facilities. Quarterly inspections are also performed for all closed treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. This report assumes that long-term surveillance and monitoring activities for the Bear Creek Valley Region will continue until FY 2025.

The only long-term surveillance and monitoring activities under way at the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Characterization Area are those associated with the validation of the effects of the mercury source elimination activities performed in support of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System compliance and the offsite ground-water monitoring in Union Valley. This report assumes that quarterly ground-water monitoring and annual reporting will be required until FY 2030.

Long-term surveillance and monitoring activities are also being performed on facilities until they can be decontaminated for reuse or until the decommissioning and demolition process is complete. These activities generally involve regular observation of the structure to ensure that safety and security are maintained at a level appropriate for the status and eventual disposition of the facility. This estimate assumes that long-term surveillance and monitoring activities will be required until FY 2060.

Direct Program Management/Support

Program management functions provide essential administration and oversight to the environmental restoration activities at the Y-12 Plant. This support is focused on ensuring proper identification, characterization, remediation and revitalization of the contaminated sites. Business management accounts for a large portion of the program management. This includes the progress tracking, contract management, facility management, financial management (budget preparation and control) for Y-12 Plant projects. Project management personnel for the Lockheed Martin Energy System, Inc. and support groups provide project management support skills as well as coordination with the other sites in the Oak Ridge Operations Office.

Federal employees oversee the contractors for the Y-12 Plant Environment Restoration Program. However, their costs are included in the Oak Ridge Operations Office section of this report along with the Integrating Contractor Central Operations Office support.

There has been a concentrated effort to reduce program management costs. Overlapping activities and management areas have been eliminated, and business systems that required extensive personnel hours have been replaced by electronic data bases and reporting systems.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste management activities at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant encompass treatment, storage, disposal and related support activities for multiple waste types generated by the Department of Energy's Offices of Defense Programs and Environmental Management (nuclear material and facility stabilization and environmental restoration activities). This is accomplished by providing capabilities to manage waste, emphasizing safe and compliant operations, reducing legacy waste inventory, overseeing implementation of pollution prevention programs, including waste minimization, and increasing efficiency in all phases of operations.

Waste streams at the Y-12 Plant have been prioritized considering risk of continued management, availability of treatment technology and capability, volume of waste in storage, volume of waste generated annually, and more generally, the ability to show tangible progress in meeting the objectives of the Federal Facility Compliance Act. In general order of priority, the waste streams at the Y-12 Plant are (1) mixed waste liquids to be treated in the Toxic Substances Control Act Incinerator; (2) combustible solids also to be treated in the Incinerator; (3) explosive waste, (4) compressed gases; (5) aqueous liquids to be treated in existing facilities; (6) West End Treatment Facility sludges; and (7) waste covered under existing treatment variances (that is, toxicity-characteristic waste). Remaining waste streams, including contact- and remote-handled transuranic solids, inorganic solids and debris, no-radioactivity-added waste, and other waste targeted for treatment via the broad spectrum procurement and the transportable vitrification system, were assigned lower priorities and are not rank-ordered.

In recognition of its commitment to pollution prevention, the Y-12 Plant is currently piloting a chargeback program. Under this program, generators are assessed fees based upon type and quantity of waste generated. Funds accrued through the fee system will then be set aside and made available for the implementation of waste minimization and pollution prevention projects. This incentive will allow sites to pinpoint the major sources of waste generation and will focus attention and resources on minimizing future waste generation and associated costs.

Waste generated at the Y-12 Plant includes low-level waste, low-level mixed waste, hazardous waste, and sanitary/industrial waste. In order to manage this waste effectively, the Waste Management program will continue to operate waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, including onsite wastewater treatment facilities, storage pads and buildings, and sanitary/industrial landfills. To facilitate waste flow, the Waste Management program conducts waste planning, characterization, certification, collection, transportation, tracking, examination, and assay. All waste management operations are conducted within the requirements of applicable Departmental Orders to ensure proper operational conduct, worker safety, public health, and environmental protection. This baseline report assumes that Defense Programs activities will continue through FY 2060, and waste management facilities will be kept operational, through routine infrastructure upgrades, until decontamination and decommissioning activities begin in FY 2061.

Currently, low-level mixed waste is managed according to the requirements of a September 1995 Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Unilateral Order and the modified Site Treatment Plan. This Order specifies technologies and schedules for the treatment of all low-level mixed waste and transuranic mixed waste on the Oak Ridge Reservation.

Furthermore, consideration of transportation issues must be addressed prior to the National Environmental Policy Act planning process. Issues include material classification, decisions regarding modal options (for example, truck, train, air), and packaging options. Collection and transport activities include costs associated with waste transportation by waste type for onsite movement of waste and intersite movement (that is, between the Y-12 Plant, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the K-25 Site). The treatment and/or disposal cost estimate, as applicable, includes costs for shipment to the commercial sector for treatment and/or disposal.

Low-Level Mixed Waste

Low-level mixed waste generated and stored at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is currently managed according to the requirements outlined in the September 1995 Unilateral Order. This Order specifies technologies and schedules to treat all low-level mixed waste, based on information the Department provides in the modified Site Treatment Plan.

GENERATION AND HANDLING

The primary generator of low-level mixed waste at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is the Department's Office of Defense Programs; however, environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities also generate some low-level waste at the plant. Waste generated by these programs includes both liquid and solid mixed waste. This report assumes that all costs associated with the characterization and certification, classification, packaging, collection, transport and tracking of low-level waste are the responsibility of the generator.

This baseline report assumes that a total of 42,000 cubic meters (55,020 cubic yards) of solid low-level mixed waste will transfer to the Waste Management program over the life cycle of this estimate. This report assumes that environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities will generate approximately 2,000 cubic meters (2,620 cubic yards) of solid low-level mixed waste through FY 2035. The annual generation rate will vary with the project schedules.

This report also assumes that Defense Programs activities will generate approximately 40,000 cubic meters (52,400 cubic yards) of solid low-level mixed waste, with an annual generation rate of roughly 380 cubic meters (498 cubic yards) until FY 2060. All applicable treatment and storage facilities described below will be maintained and upgraded to allow them to remain active until FY 2060.

TREATMENT

As outlined in the September 1995 Unilateral Order and the Site Treatment Plan, the low-level mixed waste treatment strategy relies on a combination of approaches: (1) treatment in existing facilities; (2) private sector treatment; (3) disposal in lieu of treatment for waste with treatment variances; (4) development of limited new onsite facilities; and (5) treatment at other Department of Energy facilities, if required.

The modified Site Treatment Plan delineates how the Department will: (1) treat low-level mixed waste at the site; or (2) develop technologies when technologies do not exist or when existing technologies need to be modified. For some waste streams, plans and schedules for characterizing waste for treatment, for undertaking technology assessments, and for providing the required plans and schedules for developing capacities and technologies are provided. This Plan applies specifically to mixed waste streams on the Oak Ridge Reservation and fulfills multiple purposes including: (1) fulfilling requirements of the Federal Facility Compliance Act; (2) establishing an enforceable framework from which the Department of Energy will develop methods to treat all land-disposal-restricted mixed waste currently in storage and to be generated/received during the term of the Site Treatment Plan; (3) allowing compliant storage of waste pending treatment and disposal; and (4) fulfilling the requirement for a treatment methods plan for the June 1992 Federal Facility Compliance Agreement between Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency Region IV.

The modified Site Treatment Plan also calls for treatment of existing inventories of the following mixed waste generated and/or stored at the Y-12 Plant by FY 2007 or earlier: mixed waste liquids, combustible solids, explosive waste, compressed gases, aqueous liquids, West End Treatment Facility sludges, and waste covered under existing variances. Schedules for treatment of the remaining mixed waste streams are extended to approximately FY 2020. This estimate assumes a disposal strategy for mixed waste treatment residues at Envirocare of Utah. The option of onsite disposal capability is currently being evaluated jointly with the Environmental Restoration program. The feasibility of a low-level mixed waste and low-level waste disposal unit located on the Oak Ridge Reservation and regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act is also being evaluated.

Untreated mixed waste generated and/or stored at the Y-12 Plant consists solely of low-level mixed waste. All transuranic waste is located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and management of this waste is discussed in that section of the Baseline Environmental Management Report. All low-level mixed waste that is not subject to an exemption or variance will be treated to meet the applicable concentration- or technology-based treatment standard. Also, low-level mixed waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls or halogenated organic compounds must be treated using specified technologies.

Treatment options use existing or modified onsite facilities and private sector capabilities to treat waste streams for which technologies exist. Five technology-based waste groups have been identified: incineration, stabilization, neutralization, precipitation, and chemical oxidation. Aqueous waste streams will be treated in existing, onsite wastewater treatment facilities and may require some nominal pre-treatment, supplemental characterization, and/or additional handling/bulking. Neutralization will be used to treat corrosive waste. Precipitation will be used to treat aqueous waste containing metals. Chemical oxidation will be used to treat cyanide-bearing waste. Incineration is the required treatment technology for approximately 40 waste streams on the Oak Ridge Reservation, including bulked organic liquids, organically contaminated aqueous waste, scintillation fluids, organic homogeneous solids, and organic debris. Several large and small volume sludge streams are targeted for treatment by the private sector with treatment technologies the private sector determines to be appropriate.

The Oak Ridge Reservation Site Treatment Plan outlines plans and schedules for the treatment of Y-12 Plant mixed waste. Liquid mixed waste treatment at the Y-12 Plant is shown in the following sidebar.

STORAGE

The Waste Oil/Solvent Drum Storage Facility, Oil Dike-7, is located near the corner of K Road and West Second Street. The Building contains four Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-permitted 113,700-liter (30,000-gallon) and two 37,900-liter (10,000-gallon) bulk oil storage tanks with secondary containment. Oils and solvents contaminated with uranium and polychlorinated biphenyls are stored here.

The Waste Oil/Solvent Drum Storage Facility, Oil Dike-8, is an interim status Resource Conservation and Recovery Act hazardous waste storage facility. This facility is located in the north side of West Second Street, west of the intersection with K Road. The building has a capacity of approximately 1,000 drums.

Waste Oil/Solvent Storage Facility, Oil Dike-9, is a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Part B-permitted unit located on and within a concrete pad with a raised diked perimeter designed to contain any spills. Five 151,600-liter (40,000-gallon) storage tanks are located within the diked area. The tanker transfer bay/drum storage area is located within a curbed concrete pad adjacent to the containment dike. It is designed to store 208-liter (55-gallon) drums for an additional 33,352 liters (8,800 gallons) of storage capacity. Polyethylene tanks containing free liquids may also be stored in this area. This concrete pad is also used for tanker loading/unloading and as a transfer area for moving waste from drums and containers to tanks.

The Liquid Organic Waste Solvent Storage Facility, Oil Dike-10, is located in the northwest corner of the New Salvage Yard. The Oil Dike-10 Storage Facility is a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Part B-permitted hazardous waste storage facility and consists of a concrete pad with a raised dike to contain any spills. The six storage tanks with a total capacity of 121,280 liters (32,000 gallons) are located within the diked area. Liquid waste is received at the facility in drums, tanker trucks, or polyethylene bulk storage tanks and is pumped into the tanks for storage. All of the waste types to be managed at this facility must be compatible with the drums in which they are stored and transported. Some of the solvents contain trace quantities of uranium. These solvents are sampled, identified, and kept separate from other batched solvents before storing. Mixed waste is also stored at the Classified Waste Storage Facility, Containerized Waste Storage Area, and additional buildings.

DISPOSAL

Commercial disposal is the planned option for disposal of low-level mixed waste treatment residues and low-level mixed waste with treatment variances or that meet treatment standards. The option of an onsite disposal facility for legacy low-level mixed waste and legacy low-level waste, to be regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, is being pursued.

Low-Level Waste

Low-level waste generated and managed at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is predominantly contaminated with uranium isotopes. The strategy for managing low-level waste consists of collection and onsite treatment for radioactive wastewater and a combination of onsite storage, private sector treatment, and offsite disposal for solid low-level waste.

The current strategy for managing this waste includes: minimized generation through segregation, process control and reuse/recycle; use of commercial vendors where cost-effective for waste volume reduction and treatment prior to long-term storage or disposal; storage on the Oak Ridge Reservation; and offsite disposal of stored and future generation.

GENERATION AND HANDLING

The primary generator of low-level waste at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is the Department's Office of Defense Programs; however, environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities also generate some low-level waste at the plant. This estimate assumes that all costs associated with the characterization and certification, classification, packaging, collection, transport and tracking of low-level waste are the responsibility of the generator.

This baseline report assumes that a total of 390,000 cubic meters (510,900 cubic yards) of solid low-level waste will transfer to the Waste Management program over the life cycle of this estimate. This report assumes that environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities will generate approximately 2,700 cubic meters (3,537 cubic yards) of solid low-level waste through FY 2035. The annual generation rate will vary with the project schedules.

This report also assumes that Defense Programs activities will generate approximately 387,000 cubic meters (506,970 cubic yards) of solid low-level waste, with an annual generation rate of roughly 5,000 cubic meters (6,550 cubic yards) until FY 2060. All applicable treatment and storage facilities described below will be maintained and upgraded to allow them to remain active until FY 2060.

TREATMENT

Currently, two solid low-level waste treatment facilities are operational at the Y-12 Plant: the Uranium Chip Oxidization Facility and the Waste Feed Preparation Facility. The Uranium Chip Oxidization Facility thermally oxidizes depleted and natural uranium machine chips under controlled conditions to a stable uranium oxide. The oxide is transferred into drums and transported to the Depleted Uranium Oxide Storage Vaults. The Waste Feed Preparation Facility is used for baling solid low-level waste materials only. Interim storage for the compacted bales of solid waste is provided before they are transferred to the Above-Ground Storage Facility, pending shipment to an offsite vendor for treatment. As determined to be cost-effective, beneficial for storage and/or offsite disposal, solid low-level waste treatment is limited to volume reduction through supercompaction or incineration. Commercial vendors supply this capability.

STORAGE

Low-level waste storage facilities at the Y-12 Plant include: the Old Salvage Yard, Depleted Uranium Oxide Storage Vaults I and II, the Classified Waste Storage Facility, the Containerized Waste Storage Area, and the Above-Ground Storage Facility. The Old Salvage Yard, located at the west end of the Y-12 Plant, contains legacy-contaminated scrap metal, as well as large bulky items, and items containing a higher level of contamination. Contaminated scrap metal is accepted only if segregated and packaged.

Depleted Uranium Oxide Storage Vaults I and II are partially underground, constructed of reinforced concrete, and have a usable storage volume of 720 cubic meters (943 cubic yards). Openings for filling the vaults are provided at the top of each. Depleted uranium oxide powder is delivered to the storage vaults in sealed 114- to 208-liter (30- and 55-gallon) drums. Depleted uranium sawfines are delivered in 0.2-cubic meter (55-gallon) drums mixed with depleted uranium oxide at a ratio of at least 10:1 (oxide to sawfines). Uranium-contaminated waste from the Y-12 Plant will be stored until offsite disposal is arranged. This low-level waste may be stored at the K-25 Site, as well as the Y-12 Plant.

The Classified Waste Storage Facility includes areas for waste volume reduction of industrial combustible trash, storage of classified waste that may or may not be contaminated with uranium, storage of polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated materials that also may be contaminated with uranium, and an interim status area. This facility accepts solid materials only. No liquids are permitted. The facility meets Y-12 Plant security requirements for classified waste management and Departmental Order 5820.2A guidelines for the management of both low-level and mixed waste. In addition, the facility is permitted to accept both Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Toxic Substances Control Act-regulated waste. This facility will be upgraded to accommodate nondestructive testing equipment to analyze the amount and assay of uranium in waste packages.

The Containerized Waste Storage Area, situated south of the Y-12 Plant, consists of three concrete pads measuring 790 square meters (1,034.9 square yards) each. Two of the pads are covered with open-sided dome tents, and each pad is surrounded by an impermeable dike to contain spills. All waste stored at the Containerized Waste Storage Area is in containers such as approved carbon steel drums, original vendor drums, 1,250- and 2,501-liter (330- and 660-gallon) steel reinforced polyethylene tanks, ST-5 boxes, and 6.8-cubic meter (9-cubic yard) dumpsters. Each pad has a calculated maximum capability to store 1 million liters (270,000 gallons) of waste materials based on actual dike capacity and storage space for 388 ST-5 boxes or 3168 drums. The Containerized Waste Storage Area is a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act interim status unit. Radioactively contaminated waste and mixed waste containing uranium-238 may also be stored at the Containerized Waste Storage Area.

The 13-hectare (33-acre) Above-ground Storage Facility is located north of Bear Creek Road, east of the "A" burial trenches, and west of the Sanitary Landfill/Oil Landfarm Area. The facility consists of several fabric buildings that are designed for the interim storage of low-level radioactive waste contained in strong, tight containers built to Department of Transportation specifications.

DISPOSAL

The strategy to ensure disposal capability for all low-level waste generated on the Oak Ridge Reservation, including the Y-12 Plant, relies on a combination of onsite and offsite facilities. Onsite disposal of low-level waste is currently primarily limited to mixed fission product waste generated at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Plans for a replacement disposal facility are being pursued, with Bear Creek Valley the most likely candidate for a tumulus disposal facility. Low-level waste disposal on the Oak Ridge Reservation is limited by complex geology and hydrology and future land-use plans. The long-range strategy for this waste is to dispose of it at another Department of Energy facility. This estimate assumes that the Nevada Test Site will be that disposal site.

The option of an onsite disposal facility for legacy low-level waste and low-level mixed waste, to be regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, is also being pursued; however, this estimate does not reflect this approach. This facility could be used to dispose of Y-12 Plant stored inventories and Environmental Restoration program-generated waste at the plant.

Hazardous Waste

The strategy for managing hazardous waste at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant comprises reducing waste generation; obtaining a no-added-radioactivity determination to facilitate disposition of current inventories and newly generated hazardous waste, including waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls; using commercial sector capabilities; and continuing treatment in onsite wastewater treatment facilities.

GENERATION AND HANDLING

The primary generator of hazardous waste at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is the Department's Office of Defense Programs; however, environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities also generate some hazardous waste at the plant. This estimate assumes that all costs associated with characterizing, certifying, classifying, packaging, collecting, transporting, and tracking hazardous waste are the responsibility of the generator.

This baseline report assumes that a total of 23,000 cubic meters (30,130 cubic yards) of solid hazardous waste will transfer to the Waste Management program over the life cycle of this estimate. This report assumes that environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities will generate approximately 22,000 cubic meters (28,820 cubic yards) of solid hazardous waste through FY 2035. The annual generation rate will vary with the project schedules.

This report also assumes that Defense Programs activities will generate approximately 1,000 cubic meters (1,310 cubic yards) of solid hazardous waste, with an annual generation rate of roughly 0.2 cubic meters (0.26 cubic yards) until FY 2060. All applicable treatment and storage facilities described below will be maintained and upgraded to allow them to remain active until FY 2060.

TREATMENT

The Y-12 Plant currently treats liquid hazardous waste at the onsite Plating Rinsewater Treatment Facility. The Plating Rinsewater Treatment Facility uses, in addition to its own systems, process systems within the Central Pollution Control Facility, which is a mixed waste facility. Also, liquid hazardous waste is treated at the Ground-water Treatment Facility, which includes processes for the removal of volatile organics and polychlorinated biphenyls.

STORAGE

Until such time as the no-added-radioactivity policies and procedures are implemented, all Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-contaminated waste is classified as mixed waste and managed as such. The storage inventory of potentially hazardous waste at the Y-12 Plant is approximately 1,660 cubic meters (2,175 cubic yards). This inventory includes polychlorinated biphenyl- and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-contaminated solid waste. Any remaining hazardous waste generated and placed in storage is considered mixed waste. Building 9720-31, which is located on the south side of the West Third Street, east of the existing Fire Training Facility (Building 9817), houses the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Storage and Staging Facility. Building 9720-31 receives and temporarily stores waste from all areas of the Y-12 Plant that cannot be stored at other locations within the plant boundaries.

DISPOSAL

No onsite hazardous waste disposal capability exists at the Y-12 Plant. Hazardous waste will be disposed of offsite in conjunction with commercial treatment contracts.

Sanitary Waste

The Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is the single largest generator of sanitary waste on the Oak Ridge Reservation. The strategy for managing sanitary waste at the Y-12 Plant comprises minimization of waste generation, use of commercial recycle markets and disposal in Industrial Landfill II, Industrial Landfill B and the Construction/Demolition Landfill VI. Classified and sanitary solid waste are disposed of in Industrial Waste Landfill IV. Cafeteria waste, animal bedding, and steam plant fly ash are sent offsite to appropriate commercial facilities.

GENERATION AND HANDLING

The primary generator of sanitary waste at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant is the Department of Energy's Office of Defense Programs; however, environmental restoration activities also generate some sanitary waste at the plant.

This baseline report assumes that environmental restoration and nuclear material and facility stabilization activities will generate approximately 13,600 cubic meters (17,816 cubic yards) of solid sanitary waste through FY 2035 from the K-25 Site, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Oak Ridge Reservation Offsite Programs, as well as the Y-12 Plant. The annual generation rate will vary with the project schedules.

This report also assumes that Defense Programs activities will generate approximately 30,000 cubic meters (39,300 cubic yards) of solid sanitary waste, with an annual generation rate of roughly 1,000 cubic meters (1,310 cubic yards) until FY 2060. All applicable treatment and storage facilities described below will be maintained and upgraded to allow them to remain active until FY 2060.

TREATMENT

Industrial solid waste is compacted for volume reduction at the Building 9720-25 Baler Facility.

STORAGE

The New Salvage Yard, which is operated by Lockheed Martin's Y-12 waste management organization, is located on the north side of Bear Creek Road approximately one mile west of the intersection of Bear Creek Road and Old Bear Creek Road. The yard is used to store and sell surplus materials generated at the Y-12 Plant, provided they are not radioactively contaminated, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-hazardous, and are unclassified.

Activities associated with the New Salvage Yard include the transportation, storage, segregation, and sale of surplus items. Items stored at the New Salvage Yard are considered unusable as originally intended and cannot be repaired or recycled in an economical manner within the Y-12 Plant. These items are stored at the New Salvage Yard until they can be sold.

DISPOSAL

The strategy for solid industrial waste disposal at the Y-12 Plant involves minimization of waste generation; use of commercial recycle markets; and disposal in Industrial Landfill II, Industrial Landfill V, and the Construction/Demolition Landfill VI.

The majority of industrial and sanitary solid waste streams at the Y-12 Plant are disposed of at the Sanitary Landfill, Industrial Landfill-V, and the Construction/Demolition Landfill-VI located on Chestnut Ridge south of the Y-12 Plant. Classified industrial and sanitary solid waste are disposed of in Industrial Waste Landfill IV. These waste streams are verified, either through analysis or generator knowledge, as meeting the Sanitary Landfill-II and Industrial Landfill-V Waste Acceptance Criteria and are then transported for disposal. The Y-12 Plant routinely receives solid sanitary waste for disposal from the K-25 Site and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Cafeteria waste, animal bedding, and Steam Plant fly ash are sent offsite to a commercial landfill for disposal.

Direct Program Management/Support

Program support activities for the Waste Management program encompass activities that are necessary for, but not directly a part of, treatment, storage, disposal, or related operations (for example, waste characterization, collection, and transport). Program support activities include Department of Energy and managing and operating contractor program management; oversight of pollution prevention programs; general safety, health and environmental compliance oversight; utilities for general support facilities; taxes; procurement for general support activities; and establishment and maintenance of waste tracking systems. The level of general program support is proportional to treatment, storage, disposal, and related activities.

DESCRIPTION OF PERSONNEL

Current Composition

The employees working for Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, as presented in the following table, are a combination of engineers, scientists, technicians, managers, construction crafts personnel, operators, laborers and general workers, administrative professionals, general administrators, and managers. Since there are several waste operations facilities at the Y-12 Plant, there is a larger percentage of operators than at other facilities. This work force is expected to remain relatively stable over the next few years. In addition, the Department of Energy contracts to Jacobs Engineering and Foster-Wheeler, who predominantly employ scientists and engineers and MK-Ferguson, who predominantly employs construction crafts personnel, operators, and engineers. Lockheed Martin subcontracts to a variety of engineering, consulting, and site investigation firms, including several small disadvantaged businesses under the Small Business Administration "8a" set aside program. All federal Full-Time Equivalents who provide support and oversee the work at the Y-12 Plant are included in the Oak Ridge Operations Office section in this report.

* The Projections for Full-Time Equivalent employees are based on FY 1996 planning baselines (see Reader's Guide).

Site Management Structure

Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. is the integrating contractor for environmental restoration activities at the Y-12 Plant for the Department of Energy, as well as the managing and operating contractor. They integrate their own work activities as well as those of Department of Energy prime contractors for technical support, engineering and construction, and their own subcontractors for site remedial investigation work.

The Lockheed Martin Energy Systems contract has recently been extended for an additional two years, through March 1998. As a part of that contract, Lockheed Martin has committed to incentive contracting as a part of contract reform. An increasing number of the Lockheed Martin-managed activities will be task order contracts. The primary features of these task order projects are as follows: contracting companies function as a team, and the Department of Energy and the team negotiate terms of the project; the team collects an incentive fee for finishing under budget but absorbs a percentage of any cost overrun; the Department of Energy shares risk of cost overruns; and streamlined bid specifications simplify the process and reduce cost estimates.

Future Full-Time Equivalent Needs

This estimate assumes that the mix of needed Full-Time Equivalents that the Environmental Management program supports for the Y-12 Plant will remain fairly stable. Remedial action, nuclear material and facility stabilization, and waste management activities will continue to support Environmental Management and other Department of Energy programs at Y-12. However, as the decommissioning of facilities and larger scale remediation begins, there will be a particular need for heavy equipment operators, laborers, health and safety personnel, and decontamination personnel as the buildings are cleared and demolished.

FUNDING ESTIMATE

The following tables present estimated funding information for the Y-12 Plant.

COMPARISON WITH PREVIOUS ESTIMATE

The FY 1996 life-cycle cost for the Y-12 Plant has changed by only two percent from last year's estimate. However, individual program estimates have changed significantly.

The FY 1996 Baseline Environmental Management Report estimates for the Nuclear Materials and Facility Stabilization program again used parametric models to project the life-cycle costs for the Y-12 facilities. Minimal adjustments were made to last year's data to reflect facility conditions and work already completed. Scheduling Transfer Unit 4 has already been stabilized and costs for that activity no longer appear in the report. The deactivation estimates have been lowered to reflect site conditions and experience gained in the activity. The FY 1996 Baseline Environmental Management Report estimates for Environmental Restoration program activities are reduced because of a significant decrease in the scope of the Y-12 Decommissioning program from $1,400,000 to $563,000. The Phase II and Phase III scope of the decommissioning of Building 9201-4 were eliminated along with the waste management estimate. These phases are no longer needed because that building will be cleaned up for warehouse use rather than for free release. Also, Buildings 9213, 9620-2, 9416-2 and 9416-9 are considered No Further Action facilities and have been dropped from the scope. Direct program management/support is included for this activity estimate.

The FY 1996 Baseline Environmental Management Report estimates for Waste Management program activities at the Y-12 Plant now include: proportionate shares of centralized mixed waste program costs (previously all reported under the K-25 Site, reflecting funds management); decontamination and decommissioning costs for currently operating and planned Waste Management-owned facilities; increased the use of offsite facilities for low-level waste and low-level mixed waste disposal; and reduced waste projections from Environmental Restoration and the Nuclear Material and Facility Stabilization programs. These actions have resulted in a 71 percent increase in Waste Management program estimated costs.