Robert Geller Missouri Department of Natural Resources Long Term Stewardship - Department of Energy Weldon Spring Site Lessons Learned Robert Geller Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Keys to Successful Long Term Stewardship Shared vision for the future Complete Long Term Surveillance & Maintenance plan Defined roles for stakeholders Enforceable agreement Monitoring & modifications Developing a definition and a shared vision of LTS early in the planning process is critical. Providing the monitoring and maintenance of contamination or residual contamination is essential to confirming that any risk based decision remains appropriate and protective. If we can’t prove that our decisions are protective then the only few options we have remaining could direct us to clearly cleanup everything to unrestricted access levels. While this is a commendable goal we are often faced with decisions where we will have to shift our thinking to gain success. Conducting an effective and protective cleanup which allows some residual contamination to remain, with appropriate Long term Stewardship may be an appropriate balance. A robust Long Term Stewardship program is essential as a means to help us re-evalute our past decisions in an organized manner to ensure they remain protective. LTS must be considered in the remedy decision making process, LTS functions must assure ongoing protection of H,H & E. LTS must be sustainable over the life of the hazard that exists. New Science and technology must be reexamined on a regular basis to see if we can improve our decisions. There are many components of LTS I’d like to focus on three we feel are key to success.

Before (1960's) DOE's Weldon Spring After (2002) Example of a Federal Facility site that the section is working on: On October 23, 2001 the last piece of protective riprap (large rock) cover was placed on the 45-acre 75-foot high disposal cell at the Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project. This is a milestone in this fifteen-year cleanup that the Department of Energy (DOE)has been conducting. The disposal cell contains hazardous and contaminated waste materials left over from the World War II explosives manufacturing plant and later uranium processing facility. Approximately 1.48 million cubic yards of waste have been entombed in the disposal cell. Once the waste was placed in the cell it was covered with a radon barrier, which is one of several components that comprise the cell cap. The final layers of the cap are composed of geosynthetic and clay liners, gravel, sand, soil, and finally large rocks or riprap. Today, all of the site remediation and engineering controls are in place. The department is working with the EPA and DOE to finalize a Federal Facility Agreement. Also, DOE needs to implement the institutional controls necessary to ensure the final remedy remains protective.

Ancient burial ground or radioactive disposal cell?

DOE's Weldon Spring After (2003) Maybe? The St. Louis Post Dispatch editorial cartoon is one perspective. DOE's Weldon Spring

Do you know what this means?

Failure to fully and adequately address these issues at this time would be irresponsible of us Questions ?

Where do we go from here?

Tom Winston Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Long Term Stewardship - Department of Energy Mound and Fernald Sites Lessons Learned Tom Winston Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Questions