OFFICE OP 

AIR AND RADIATION 

David C. Moody, PhD 

Manager, Carlsbad Field Offree 

U.S. Department of Energy 

P.O. Box 3090 

Carlsbad, NM 88221 -3090 

Dear Dr. Moodv: 

This letter provides the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) baseline approval 

of the contact-handled (CH) transuranic (TRU) waste characteriration program implemented by 

the Central Characterization Project (CCP) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) 

(Inspection Number EPA- 0RNL-CCP-CH-11.07-8). The enclosed report (Air pocket No. A98-49; II-A4-103) describes the basis for EPA's baseline approval results and tiering 

designations for each of the waste characterization processes evaluated during the inspection 

conducted in November 2007. 

In June 2007, EPA conducted a baseline inspection of ORNL-CCP's CH "I'RU waste 

characterization program to assess the characterization of waste in accordance with EPA 

regulations (40 CFR 194.8(b)(3), 40 CFR 194.8(c) and 40 CFR 194.24). During the inspection. 

EPA assessed the technical adequacy of the characterization performed through acceptable 

knowledge (AK), non-destruetive assay (NDA), real time radiography (RTR), and the WIPP 

Waste Information System (W WIS) for tracking the contents of waste containers destined for 

disposal at WIPP. EPA's inspection team identified eight concerns. The Department of 

Energy's (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) adequately responded to EPA's concerns and no 

issues resulting from this inspection remained open when EPA issued the proposed approval 

decision for public comment. 

In accordance with 40 CFR 194.8, EPA issued a Federal Register notice on June 20, 

2008, announcing EPA's proposed approval of the CH TRU waste characterization program at 

ORNIrCCP. This Federal Register notice also opened a 45-day public comment period on our 

proposed approval and announced the availability of the inspection report (Air pocket No: A-98- 

49; II-A4-100). EPA received no public comments on the proposed ORNL-CCP inspection 

report. 

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EPA approves the disposal of CH TRU debris wastes, as characterized by ORNL-CCP, 

according to the conditions and limitations specified by this letter and inspection report. This 

letter and the final inspection report have been placed in the EPA docket (Air pocket No. A-98- 

49, II-A4-103) and posted on the EPA website at www.epa.uovh:adiatioWwipp . 

EPA approves the following CH TRU waste characterization processes and equipment at 

ORNL-CCP: 

(1) The AK proeess for CH retrievably-stored TRU debris wastes 

(2) The DWAS IPAN/SGS system for assaying CFI TRU wastes 

(3) The nondestructive examination (NDE) process of RTR for CH TRU debris wastes 

(4) The W WIS proeess for tracking waste contents of CH TRU wastes. 

Changes to the approved waste characterization program that are designated in the 

enclosed table as Tier 1 must be reported to EPA prior to implementation. DOE may implement 

Tier 2 changes prior to EPA approval; however, DOE must provide EPA with notification 

summarizing these changes at the end of each fiscal year quarter. Please note that the 

notification of Tier 2 changes is different from past practice, in which DOE had to supply the 

documentation. The enclosed table (excerpted from the report) identifies the types of activities 

that are considered Tier 1 and Tier 2. 

If you have any questions, please contact Rajani Joglekar at (202) 343-9462 or Ed 

Feltcorn at (202) 343-9422. 

Enclosure 

cc: Electronic Distribution 

Frank Marcinowski, DOE HQ 

Alton Harris, DOE HQ 

V ernon Daub, CBFO 

Casey Gadbury, CBFO 

Courtland Fesmire, CBFO 

Norma Castaneda, CBFO 

David Haar, CCP 

Martin Navarrete, CBFO 

Dennis Miehls, CBFO 
Allison Pangle, CTAC 

Wayne Ledford, CTAC 

Steve Zappe, NMED 

Lloyd Generette, EPA Region 4 
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