When this Recommendation was made, the future disposition of plutonium bearing residues at the Rocky Flats Plant and at other nuclear defense sites had not been decided. When plutonium bearing residues of less immediate hazard can be interred in WIPP in the relatively near future, the Board's concerns that motivated the sub recommendation stated above are no longer so urgent. The objective could be reached instead by expeditious burial.
Similar considerations apply to plutonium bearing residues from other defense nuclear sites.
Assuming that current plans for WIPP's opening remain effective, the Board would therefore look favorably on revised plans for timely movement of any such residues from defense nuclear facilities to that repository without further processing, if no immediate safety problems are present. It is realized that, for other reasons than are in the Board's purview, other actions such as repackaging and dilution may be called for in such circumstances. The Board would like to review any changes in plans that may result from the above considerations before they are fully decided. Mr. Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.