[en] The field of environmental engineering and environmental science is so new that many colleges and universities have only begun the process of bringing academic program, into their areas. Many professional personnel don't need full degree programs but may need only certain courses to enhance their skills in the environmental area. This article discusses the partnership between the Hanford contractors, DOE-RL, and Washington State University in an innovative way in solving a portion of the remediation work force problems

[en] The paper will describe the background for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and activities influencing this document. The results of scoping meetings will be described in detail. The new management structure, contracting vehicle and future activities will be explained

[en] This paper summarizes the policy of DOE's Office of Environmental Restoration for accepting new facilities into the Environmental Restoration Program. Facilities that are eligible for acceptance include DOE buildings, structures, and sites that are currently the responsibility of operating program, of the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Defense Programs, and the Office of Energy Research. The policy states that the Office of Environmental Restoration, under DOE's Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (EM), will accept DOE-contaminated facilities that are surplus to DOE needs and have no future intended use. The facilities will be turned over to EM for remediation or decommissioning when they are completely shutdown and when stored nuclear and hazardous materials have been removed

[en] In July of 1987 the Weldon Spring quarry was listed on the Environmental Protection Agency National Priority List as the highest priority Federal facility site. The Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project applied the principles and techniques of Value Engineering (VE) and the Observational Method to remedial planning efforts at the quarry. VE sessions resulted in modifications of the scenarios developed during the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RM) process in preparation for conceptual design activities for the removal of waste from the quarry. The Observational Method, a technique developed to manage uncertainties, was used to guide both environmental and engineering planning to ensure that the waste removal activities win be carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner

[en] In situ vitrification (ISV) has been identified as a potential treatment technology for stabilizing underground tanks at Hanford and other US Department of Energy (DOE) sites. A key requirement for this application is an electrical system that can supply the power needed to vitrify a tank in a single setting. This paper describes an engineering-scale test conducted at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) to assess the efficiency of a six-electrode, six-phase energy supply system in melting soil. The test was conducted with a 30-kW six-phase system. Based on the test results, a six-electrode, six-phase system shows potential for scaleup to larger systems

[en] The presence of mixed waste (chemical and radioactivite) introduces several complex issues into a baseline risk assessment. A five-stage, serial methodology consistent with Department of Energy orders and Environmental Protection Agency regulations is available for the evaluation of risk at these disposal sites. The methodology suggests a simple-to-complex approach for the determination of risk. Guidelines for the combination of radiological and nonradiological risk are proposed

[en] The Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act authorizes the US Department of Energy to remediate mill tailings at 24 designated sites with the active participation of affected states and Indian tribes. Specific states and tribal responsibilities are detailed in cooperative agreements. This paper provides information on the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project experience in fulfilling its mission in cooperation with states and tribes

[en] This paper outlines the steps developed by the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project Office to assure proper identification, remediation and certification of vicinity properties. In addition, some of the more unique aspects of the UMTRA Project vicinity property program are discussed centering on the voluntary nature of the program, public information efforts and coordinating the work of several different entities. The UMTRA vicinity property program has been extremely successful with over 3800 properties remediated to date

[en] An important consideration for every risk analyst is how many field samples should be taken so that scientifically defensible decisions concerning the need for remediation of a hazardous waste site can be made. Since any plausible remedial action alternative must, at a minimum, satisfy the condition of protectiveness of human and environmental health, we propose a risk-based approach for determining the number of samples to take during remedial investigations rather than using more traditional approaches such as considering background levels of contamination or federal or state cleanup standards

[en] In Situ Vitrification (ISV) is a thermal treatment technology applicable to the remediation of hazardous chemical and radioactive contaminated soil and sludge sites. The ISV process utilizes electricity, through joule heating, to melt contaminated soil and form an inert glass and microcrystalline residual product. Applications of ISV to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and radionuclides have been demonstrated at engineering-scale in numerous tests (1,2,3). An updated evaluation of ISV applicability to treatment of PCBs and radionuclides, and recent test results are presented herein