Only a small amount of facility MLLW debris is anticipated each fiscal year. Since waste has not been identified characterization cannot be completed and any forecast would be inaccurate. Most facilities under the Environmental Restoration program are not fully characterized. A general building characterization is not sufficient to forecast solid waste quantities, physical waste forms, percentage of hazardous characteristics or the levels of radionuclides. Characterization is normally done just prior to decommissioning.
Historical data is the least used form of characterization.
This data is commonly used for a qualitative determination on the nature of required sampling. This type of waste sampling is done immediately prior to decontamination and decommissioning. At this time, we find that predicting projects and waste generation beyond 12 months produces very low forecast confidence. Other projects which were previously forecast for a different time period are presently in progress. Any forecasting beyond 6 months may fluctuate as priorities, budgets, and work scopes change.