The program's history has shown that such money does not materialize. Even worse, history suggests that the reasonable assumption is that there will be less money in five years. Management has been unable to carry the tank program to success. Management problems within the program are well known. Internal and external review groups have pointed out time and again that management difficulties within the program present barriers to success.
Systemic problems are usually to blame for the tank waste program's management difficulties.
The management systems are not in place that allow for clear lines of decision-making authority. As a result, accountability within the program is virtually nonexistent, and progress suffers. Cleanup at Hanford is not without progress. However, the tank waste program at Hanford has been marked by an inability to make real progress toward treatment and disposal of the tank waste. For HEAL, progress in the tank waste treatment program is defined as a vitrification plant that is safely treating tank wastes.