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Background
WIPP, as a requirement under its state permit, is developing a new “Waste Isolation Pilot (WIPP) Legacy TRU Waste Disposal Plan (Plan)”. ECA members around WIPP have asked ECA members, states and tribal governments, people that live around DOE sites and that are interested in DOE sites for their input through this survey on the Plan.
The communities around the country have recognized the importance of WIPP to cleaning up the DOE sites in their communities. Because this plan could affect the prioritization of waste shipments and the accessibility of WIPP to these communities (DOE calls these sites “generator sites”), ECA asking for feedback from the communities around the DOE sites, along with local, state and Tribal governments on the issues.
Below is a brief background and we expect the survey will take the 5-7 minutes to complete. Identifying your city, state or Tribal Government is voluntary but we hope that you will at least identify your site.
Reminder
The WIPP mission includes disposal of defense transuranic (TRU) waste from the DOE sites in your communities. Defense TRU waste includes waste generated from historical activities dating back to Manhattan Project and Cold War and current ongoing defense missions.
The questions will focus on “Legacy TRU waste” which ECA generally defines as TRU waste associated with Cold War and pre-Cold War periods. Others define it differently and if you do, please note it in the comments at the end.
NEW Permit for WIPP
The new WIPP permit would reserve one of the future panels—where waste is emplaced underground at WIPP—for “legacy” waste. DOE must develop a plan that defines legacy waste and describes how its disposal will be prioritized in the future underground disposal panel 12, which is expected to begin receiving waste in approximately 2029. The link to DOE’s fact sheet on the issues is here. A copy of the WIPP permit language is below:
The Legacy TRU Waste Disposal Plan requirement is summarized below:
The Permittees shall define legacy TRU and TRU mixed waste and develop the Legacy TRU Waste Disposal Plan. The Plan will be developed in consultation with the generator/storage sites and stakeholders. To the extent practicable as articulated in the final Plan, Panel 12 will be reserved for the disposal of legacy TRU mixed waste.
This plan could affect the prioritization of waste shipments and the accessibility of WIPP as a disposal route for some waste, depending on how it’s defined and what DOE says in its plan. The questions below will allow ECA to provide input to DOE on its plan development and equip ECA members around WIPP and generator sites to participate fully in the WIPP permit process. We know a lot of this is “DOE speak” but please bear with us as we try to get input on some key issues.
Please take the 5-7 minutes to complete the questionnaire:

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* 1. Please identify which site your community/Tribal Government hosts:

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* 2. What is your City, County, State or Tribal Government:

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* 3. Should DOE prioritize the disposal of Legacy TRU Waste over newly generated TRU waste?

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* 4. What should DOE consider in setting the definition of Legacy TRU Waste?

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* 5. WIPP plays an important role in the cleanup of your local DOE site

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* 6. The development of the Legacy TRU Waste Disposal Plan is a priority for your community or Tribal Government

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* 7. In order of importance, rank how DOE should consider the following factors in developing the Legacy TRU Waste Disposal Plan. (With 1 having the least importance and 5 having the greatest importance)

  1 2 3 4 5
a. Increase public awareness regarding how waste disposal is prioritized across the DOE complex
b. Progress and efficiency of clean-up activities across generator sites
c. Costs and budget constraints
d. Compliance with generator/storage site-specific agreements
e. Risk prioritization and risk reduction at generator sites
f. Alignment of WIPP operational plans with generator site missions and timeframes
g. National Defense Priority

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* 8. Assign a level of importance to the following reasons why the Legacy TRU Waste Disposal Plan is important. (With 1 having the least importance and 5 having the greatest importance)

  1 2 3 4 5
a. Ensure TRU wastes are properly disposed at WIPP
b. Emphasize the importance of clean-up activities from generator sites
c. Provide transparency about the waste types and missions at DOE TRU generator sites
d. Allow the public to better understand DOE’s long-term plans for TRU waste management and the future of WIPP
e. Assist in the prioritization and planning for the TRU waste management across generator/storage sites

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* 9. In your opinion, how important is it to reserve Panel 12 (a portion of the WIPP site that is being developed) for legacy TRU mixed waste over other types of TRU waste?

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* 10. Under the required Plan, Panel 12 will be reserved for disposal of legacy TRU waste “to the extent practicable.” What factors do you feel are important to consider when defining the phrase “to the extent practicable”?

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* 11. What is the most important lesson learned from the WIPP Site?

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* 12. Do you work at the site for DOE or a contractor?

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* 13. What is best method of ECA staff to follow-up with you to get any additional feedback on the questions (voluntary).

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* 14. Please tell us about yourself (voluntary)

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