In this public meeting the Department of Energy will be sharing information about their Draft WIR (Waste Incidental to Reprocessing) Evaluation focused on determining if Hanford's treatment of high-level tank waste into a low-activity waste form that is immobilized in glass will allow for that waste to be disposed of at the on-site landfill called the Integrated Disposal Facility. DOE needs a WIR Determination for this waste to be disposed on site.

Join us online for the public meeting on June 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. PST. This is our first time learning about this WIR Evaluation. As we analyze documents and learn more we will share information about DOE's plans and suggestions for writing public comments. This is a long comment period that ends on September 26, 2020.

PUBLIC MEETING LINK:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8264612597350934798;
ID 391-705-595

To access meeting via phone:
1. Dial +1 509-372-3087 (local) or +1 800-664-0771 (long distance)
2. Enter Conference ID: 1333#

DOE's Fact Sheet: https://www.hanford.gov/files.cfm/VLAW___WIR_Fact_Sheet_FINAL_05-13-2020.pdf

MORE INFORMATION BELOW

The Department of Energy is holding a 120-day public comment period on its Draft Waste Incidental to Reprocessing (WIR) Evaluation for Vitrified Low-Activity Waste (VLAW). The Draft WIR Evaluation analyzes whether the VLAW meets waste management criteria, is incidental to the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, and may be managed (disposed of at the Hanford Site) as low-level radioactive waste in the future as has always been envisioned.

The Department of Energy is proposing to bury up to 23 million gallons of tank waste in the onsite landfill. It matters greatly what kind of radioactive materials and chemicals end up being left in the waste. Some of these radioactive materials have extremely long half-lives, such as iodine-129, which will be around for 15 million years, and is toxic in microscopic quantities. Will Hanford's landfill protect our communities for millions of years into the future? Therefore, it is important for the community to understand how much radioactivity will be disposed of, and in what concentrations. Further, Hanford is planning to dispose of other radioactive materials around the site. Hanford has yet to identify and quantify how much will be left behind, and what the cumulative impact of these toxic materials might have on the environment, surrounding communities, the Columbia River and future generations.

Hanford Challenge is tracking this closely and will be sending updates, stay tuned!

The comment period is from May 26 to Sept. 26, 2020.

For more information, click link: https://www.hanford.gov/pageAction.cfm/calendar?&IndEventID=13396

All comments should be submitted electronically by Sept. 26 to VLAWDraftWIR@rl.gov (preferred),
or via mail to:
U.S. Department Energy
Attn: Jennifer Colborn
P.O. Box 450, MSIN H6-60
Richland, WA 99354