RE: Request for Site Specific LDR Treatability Variance of 04 Aug 2012

Kevin Mitchell to: Stephen Tyahla 04/12/2012 04:46 AM

Cc: jpatterson, "'Kent DeRoos'"

Please respond to kmitchell

History: This message has been replied to and forwarded.

Mr. Tyahla,

Thank you for reaching out and your involvement in this effort.  Responses to your questions are

embedded below.  Please let me know if you have any further questions.

______________

Kevin Mitchell

Scientific Services Manager

405 Galleria Lane, Suite D

Oxford, MS 38655

Phone:   662‐701‐7328

Email:  kmitchell@stratag.org

URL:     www.StrataG.org

From: Stephen Tyahla [mailto:Tyahla.Stephen@epamail.epa.gov] 

Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 5:37 PM

To: kmitchell@stratag.org

Subject: Request for Site Specific LDR Treatability Variance of 04 Aug 2012

Mr. Mitchell,

I have recently been tasked with processing the subject request (copy attached). In this 

note I wanted to introduce myself and ask a few initial questions. I apologize for this 

request getting bounced around a bit, but it's now on my plate to get processed and I'll 

make sure that happens without any further unnecessary delay.

A few initial questions:

1) While seemingly obvious, can you please confirm that this is a one time request for the 

two particular RTGs?

Correct, a one time site specific request.

2) EPA Region 9 is processing this request since the disposal facility is within our region, 

Nevada (presumably the Nevada Test Site). Unless I've missed it, the attached does not 

specifically identify the proposed ultimate disposal facility or location of where the proposed 

macroencapsulation would be performed, can you please identify those?

The proposed disposal facility is the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS).  Macroencapsulation will be

performed/confirmed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is the current location of the RTGs.

3) Do you have photographs of the two RTGs that you can provide?
Yes. Photo included below.

4) Can you generally describe where the RTGs are now being stored? 

The two RTGs are currently stored at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN.  They

are stored outdoors behind a locked fence for security reasons with general institutional controls in

place at ORNL.  See below for picture of storage area.

5) Is there any particular time sensitivity with the present storage of the RTGs?

The RTG’s have been in storage outside of Building 3517 at ORNL for ~40 years. Building 3517 is

scheduled for demolition under the Bethel Valley CERCLA ROD and the disposal of the RTG’s are included

in that scope.  Removal and disposal of the RTG’s is also necessary to reindustrialize/revitalize the

central campus area of ORNL.

6) Please confirm that the attached includes the entire 4 August 2011 request (just being 

certain).

Yes, the attached includes the entire request.

Thanks,

Stephen F. Tyahla, P.E.,CHMM

Project Manager, RCRA Corrective Action Office

Waste Management Division

U.S. EPA Region IX

75 Hawthorne Street (WST-5)
San Francisco, CA 94105

Ph. 415.972.3466 / Fax 415.947.3533

tyahla.stephen@epa.gov

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