The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is holding a 60-day public comment period on a proposed Class 3 modification to the Hanford Dangerous Waste Permit. This proposed modification would support operation of Hanford’s Integrated Disposal Facility’s (IDF) leachate collection system to allow for disposal of mixed low-level waste in the engineered landfill.

The IDF is a key component of the Hanford Site’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste program to treat tank waste, a top priority in Hanford’s cleanup mission. Designed similar to Hanford’s existing Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility, the IDF will provide permanent, environmentally safe containerized disposition for mixed low-level waste from Hanford operations, including low-activity tank waste that will be vitrified (immobilized in glass) in Hanford’s nearby Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.

The IDF’s two disposal cells include an engineered liner to collect leachate (water from rain, snowmelt and dust suppression) to protect the groundwater. Leachate collected from each disposal cell is automatically pumped to the IDF leachate collection system. The leachate system consists of two collection units, ancillary equipment, and connected pipelines that allow leachate to be transferred between the units. Each collection unit is approximately 100 feet in diameter and 8 feet high, with a working capacity of 375,000 gallons.

The DOE and contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company are requesting a Class 3 modification to the IDF chapter of the permit to add the facility’s leachate collection system as a "Miscellaneous Unit" under state regulation WAC 173-303-680.

Proposed modifications include added language to permit chapters and updates to Part A of the permit. The permit establishes requirements to ensure that waste management activities protect human health and the environment. Class 3 modifications are the highest level of permit changes under state regulations and require a 60-day public review process and a public meeting.

The comment period will run from May 24 through July 23. A virtual public meeting will be held June 24, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. PT. To participate via GoToWebinar, please follow the instructions below:

Visual (presentation only):
Click the GoToWebinar link: https://bit.ly/3dwPvB8
ID #: 989-630-931

Audio:
1. Dial (509) 372-3087 (local) or (800) 664-0771 (long distance)
2. Enter Conference ID: 1333#

Please submit any comments by July 23, electronically (preferred) or by mail to:
           Washington State Department of Ecology
           3100 Port of Benton Boulevard
           Richland, Washington 99354

Information about the proposed modification and supporting documentation will be available online during the public comment period on the Hanford events calendar, the Hanford Administrative Record, and at the Hanford Public Information Repositories. Please see the attached summary fact sheet.

Questions? Please contact Jennifer Colborn, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, at Jennifer_M_Colborn@rl.gov or (509) 376-5840.

To request disability accommodation, please contact Jennifer Colborn, jennifer_m_colborn@rl.gov or (509) 376-5840 at least 10 working days prior to the event. DOE makes every effort to honor disability accommodation requests.

Fact Sheet
Public Meeting Presentation