New Mexico Administrative Code › Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Chapter 3 - RADIATION PROTECTION › Part 13 - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR LAND DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE › Section 20.3.13.1323 - LAND DISPOSAL FACILITY OPERATION AND DISPOSAL SITE CLOSURE

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 13, July 16, 2024
Near-surface disposal facility operation and disposal site
				  closure.
A. Wastes designated as class
				A, pursuant to 20.3.13.1324 NMAC, shall be segregated from other wastes by
				placing them in disposal units that are sufficiently separated from disposal
				units for the other waste classes so that any interaction between class A
				wastes and other wastes will not result in the failure to meet the performance
				objectives of this part (20.3.13 NMAC). This segregation is not necessary for
				class A wastes if they meet the stability requirements in Subsection B of
				20.3.13.1325 NMAC.
B. Wastes
				designated as class C pursuant to 20.3.13.1324 NMAC shall be disposed of so
				that the top of the waste is a minimum of 5 meters below the top surface of the
				cover, or must be disposed of with intruder barriers that are designed to
				protect against an inadvertent intrusion for at least 500 years.
C. Except as provided in Subsection L of
				20.3.13.1323 NMAC, only waste classified as class A, B or C shall be acceptable
				for near-surface disposal. All waste shall be disposed of in accordance with
				requirements of Subsections D through L of 20.3.13.1323 NMAC.
D. Wastes shall be emplaced in a manner that
				maintains the package integrity during emplacement, minimizes the void spaces
				between packages, and permits the void spaces to be filled.
E. Void spaces between waste packages shall
				be filled with earth or other material to reduce future subsidence within the
				fill.
F. Waste shall be placed and
				covered in a manner that limits the radiation dose rate at the surface of the
				cover to levels that at a minimum will permit the licensee to comply with all
				provisions of sections 20.3.4.413 NMAC and 20.3.4.414 NMAC at the time the
				license is transferred pursuant to 20.3.13.1314 NMAC.
G. The boundaries and locations of each
				disposal unit shall be accurately located and mapped by means of a land survey.
				Near-surface disposal units shall be marked in such a way that the boundaries
				of each unit can be easily defined. Three permanent survey marker control
				points, referenced to United States geological survey (USGS) or national
				geodetic survey (NGS) survey control stations, shall be established on the site
				to facilitate surveys. The USGS or NGS control stations shall provide
				horizontal and vertical controls as checked against USGS or NGS record
				files.
H. A buffer zone of land
				shall be maintained between any buried waste and the disposal site boundary and
				beneath the disposed waste. The buffer zone shall be of adequate dimensions to
				carry out environmental monitoring activities specified in Subsection D of
				20.3.13.1328 NMAC and take mitigative measures if needed.
I. Closure and stabilization measures as set
				forth in the approved site closure plan shall be carried out as each disposal
				unit is filled and covered.
J.
				Active waste disposal operations shall not have an adverse effect on completed
				closures and stabilization measures.
K. Only wastes containing or contaminated
				with radioactive material shall be disposed of at the disposal site.
L. Proposals for disposal of waste that is
				not generally acceptable for near-surface disposal because the waste form and
				disposal methods must be different, and in general, be more stringent than
				those specified for class C waste, must be submitted to the department for
				approval.