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Nuclear Waste: Unresolved Issues Concerning Hanford's Waste Management Practices

RCED-87-30 Published: Nov 04, 1986. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 1986.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Energy's (DOE) management and disposal of defense nuclear waste at its Hanford, Washington, facility to determine how Hanford complies with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should require Hanford to report to EPA and Washington State: (1) all sites and units previously and currently used to treat, store, and dispose of waste, including those considered to be byproduct and those contaminated by unplanned releases; and (2) the regulatory authority, RCRA, CERCLA, or the Atomic Energy Act, that controls the management, disposal, and corrective actions for all sites and units identified.
Closed – Implemented
On May 15, 1987, DOE submitted to EPA and the Washington State Department of Ecology its Hanford Site Waste Management Unit Report. This report responded to the recommendation that DOE Hanford report to EPA and Washington State on its active and inactive waste sites and units, including by-product waste units and unplanned release areas and the regulatory authority that applies to sites and units.

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Topics

Environmental lawHazardous substancesNuclear facilitiesNuclear waste disposalNuclear waste managementNuclear weapons plant safetyRadiation safetyRadioactive pollutionSafety regulationGroundwater