The Oak Ridge Reservation is indeed a complex remediation site; it comprises: a) two large production facilities which have had multiple production tasks, 2) a major multipurpose research and development laboratory, 3) two major waste disposal areas one of which served as a national, radioactive waste repository, and 4) several outlying installation including old nuclear reactor locations. One major site is to be closed and made available for brown field re-industrialization while the other two will remain open with a continuing program. The wastes cover the range from non-radioactive, construction wastes to high-level, transuranic wastes with half-lives varying from days up to millions of years. A complex site produces a complex, remediation campaign and a complex, long-term stewardship program. These activities are well-documented in numerous reports described below:

 

The Remediation Campaign

 

The Remediation Campaign for the Oak Ridge Reservation is briefly the following:

  1. Remediation of many contaminated locations (operable units) as specified in the adopted Records of Decision
  2. Reviews of the ground water contamination in watersheds after contaminated sources are removed.
  3. Remediation of the ground water as needed per the adopted final Records of Decision stipulating Long-term Stewardship requirements.
  4. Issuance of other post ROD documents and initiation of LTS functions which were not implemented earlier as needed.

 

The remediation of an operable unit is considered complete and enters the stewardship program when one or more of the following occur:

  1. The Remediation Actions of the interim ROD are complete and the Remediation Goals of the ROD are met.
  2. A permit is issued for the closure of the operable unit.
  3. The Remediation Action Report is issued for the operable unit.
  4. The Operable Unit appears on the annual Remediation Effectiveness Report.

 

This Remediation Campaign, the subsequent Long-term Stewardship Program and the on-going Environmental Monitoring Programs produces copious documentation of the plans for, the success of and the continuing effectiveness of the remediation of the Oak Ridge Reservation. The information is available in concise Summary form, in Reports of the analysis of the raw data and the raw data itself. Some of the information is available on the Internet.

 

The following are several sources of information concerning which operable units have been completed and what their status is:

  1. The Record of Decision: What actions were intended and why? What the Remediation Goals were.
  2. The Remedial Action Report: - The "as-installed" description of the remediated operable unit, good summary.
  3. The Annual Site Environmental Report (for years 1971-2003) (and Summary (1993-2003))–Current and Past environmental conditions of the entire ORR. The raw data is also available for several years.
  4. The Oak Ridge Environmental Information System – A GIS based collection of copious ORR environmental data.
  5. The annual Remediation Effectiveness Report – A report on the continuing effectiveness of the installed remediation action by operable unit. This is by far the best public information source.
  6. TDEC/ORO – Status Report to the Public (1997-2004) – Environmental Conditions as Seen by the State Oversight Division
  7. TDEC/ORO – Environmental Monitoring Report [2004-5] – Independent monitoring report by TDEC

 

DOE documents may be obtained at: DOE Information Center, 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, TN 37830; Phone: 865 241 4780

 

The Remediation Effectiveness Reports (RER)

 

The RERs are available for the years shown below under the generic title, "(year) Remediation Effectiveness Report for the U. S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee." (There may be minor title variations and RERs may be issued for specific sites.)

 

Year

Date

Number

Comment

2005

 

DOE/OR/01-2211&D1

Regulator comment version

2004

Mar 04

DOE/OR/01-2133&D1

 

2003

 

DOE/OR/01-

No report ???

2002

 

DOE/OR/01-

No report ???

2001

 

DOE/OR/01-1942&D2/R1

Five-year review

2000

 

DOE/OR/01-

No report ???

1999

 

DOE/OR/01-1790&D2

 

1999

 

DOE/OR/01-1778&D1/V1-4

ETTP

1998

 

DOE/OR/01-1693&D2

 

1997

 

DOE/OR/01-1484&D1

 

1996

 

DOE/OR/01-1492&D1

 

 

TDEC/ORO Status Report to the Public

 

These reports for the years 1997-2004 are based on the independent monitoring by the ORO oversight division of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, The report is written by the Local Oversight Committee and its Citizens Advisory Panel; mostly by its staff, Susan Garwarecki.

 

Annual Site Environmental Report (for years 1971-2003) (and Summary (1996-2003)

 

These reports for the 1971-2004 include monitoring data from many sources. They are written by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The concise Summary is written by the Creative Writing Class at the Karns High School and is an excellent overview. Raw environmental data is available for some years on-line or on electronic media.

 

 

At the end of 2004 there were 48 completed operable units, one of which required additional work.

 

The following list of remediation and stewardship activities has been adapted from the Table of Contents of the 2004 RER which is the best, single source of remediation information. It documents not only the completed, remediation operable units but also the continuing surveillance and monitoring that is necessary to ensure the continuing performance of the remediation activities at the intended level. The monitoring also serves as a warning system for imminent failures.

 

Legend: Font colors: [Completed projects; On-going projects]. A watershed is an administrative watershed equal to part of a physical watershed plus some adjacent areas; a ROD is a Record of Decision.

 

2004 Remediation Effectiveness Report

for the

U. S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation,

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

 

1.     Introduction

1.1.  Objectives of the Remediation Effectiveness Report

1.2.  Changes to the Current RER

1.3.  Implementation of Previous Year's Recommendations

1.4.  Organization of the Report

2.     CERCLA Actions on the Oak Ridge Reservation

2.1.  Status of the CERCLA Actions on the ORR

2.2.  ORR CERCLA Remediation Strategy

2.3.  ORR Conceptual Containment Release Summary

2.3.1.     Surface Water

2.3.2.     Sediments

2.3.3.     Ground Water

2.3.4.     Biota

2.4.  ORR CERCLA Remediation Status Summary

2.4.1.     Melton Valley [ORNL waste areas & reactors]]

2.4.2.     Bethel Valley [ORNL proper]

2.4.3.     UEFPC [Y-12 proper]

2.4.4.     Bear Creek Valley [Y-12 waste areas]

2.4.5.     ETTP [former K-25]

3.     CERCLA Actions in Melton Valley Watershed

3.1.  Melton Valley Overview

3.2.  Watershed-scale Decision: Record of Decision for Interim Actions for the Melton Valley Watershed

3.2.1.     Overview of the Melton Valley ROD

3.2.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

3.2.3.     Update on Melton Valley ROD Actions

3.2.4.     Evaluation of Remediation Effectiveness to Date

3.2.5.     Melton Valley Conclusions

3.3.  Completed Single Project Actions in Melton Valley

3.3.1.     WAG 5 Seep C Removal Action

3.3.2.     WAG 5 Seep D Removal Action

3.4.  Ongoing Single Project Actions in Melton Valley

3.4.1.     Molten Salt Reactor Experiment Fuel and Flush Salt Removal

4.     CERCLA Actions in the Bethel Valley Watershed

4.1.  Bethel Valley Overview

4.2.  Watershed-scale Decision: Record of Decision for Interim Actions for the Bethel Valley Watershed

4.2.1.     Overview of Bethel Valley ROD

4.2.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

4.2.3.     Update on Bethel Valley ROD Actions

4.2.4.     Bethel Valley Conclusions

4.3.  Completed Single Project Actions in Bethel Valley

4.3.1.     WAG 1 Corehole 8 Removal Action (Plume Collection)

4.3.2.     Surface Impoundments Operable Unit Remedial Action

4.3.3.     Metal Recovery Facility Removal Action

4.4.  Completed Single Action Pending Additional Actions

4.4.1.     Corehole 8 Plume Source (Tank W-1A) Removal Action

5.     CERCL Actions in Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Watershed

5.1.  UEFPC Overview

5.2.  Watershed Scale Decision: Record of Decision for Phase I Interim Source Control Actions in the UEFPC Characterization Area

5.2.1.     Overview of the UEFPC ROD

5.2.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

5.2.3.     Update on UEFPC ROD Actions

5.2.4.     Evaluation of Remediation Effectiveness to Date

5.2.5.     UEFPC Conclusions

5.3.  On-going Single Project Actions in the UEFPC Watershed

5.3.1.     Y-12 Plant East End Volatile Organic Compound Plume Removal Action

6.     CERCL Actions in Bear Creek Watershed

6.1.  Bear Creek Valley Overview

6.2.  Watershed Scale Decision: Record of Decision for Phase I Activities in Bear Creek Valley at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant

6.2.1.     Overview of the Bear Creek Valley ROD

6.2.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

6.2.3.     Update on Bear Creek Valley ROD Actions

6.2.4.     Evaluation of Remediation Effectiveness to Date

6.2.5.     Bear Creek Valley Conclusions

6.3.  Completed Single Project Actions in Bear Creek Valley

6.3.1.     S-3 Site Tributary Interception Removal Action

6.3.2.     Environmental Management Waste Management Facility (EMWMF)

7.     CERCL Actions in East Tennessee Technology Park

7.1.  ETTP Overview

7.1.1.     Surface Water

7.1.2.     Ground Water

7.1.3.     Biota

7.2.  Watershed Scale Decision: Record of Decision for Interim Remedial Actions for Selected Contaminated Areas within Zone 1 , East Tennessee Technology Park

7.2.1.     Overview of the ETTP Zone 1 ROD

7.2.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

7.2.3.     Update on Bear Creek Valley ROD Actions

7.3.  Completed Single Project Actions at ETTP

7.3.1.     K1407 B/C Ponds Removal Actions

7.3.2.     K-1070 C/D and Mitchell Branch Removal Action

7.3.3.     K-901-A Pond and K1007 P1 Removal Action

7.3.4.     K-1070-C/D G-Pit and Concrete Pad Removal Action

7.3.5.     K-1085 Old Firehouse Burn Area Drum Burial Site

7.3.6.     K-1070-A Remedial Action

7.4.  On-going Single Project Actions at ETTP

7.4.1.     K-29, K-31 and K-33 Equipment Removal and Building Decontamination Removal Action

7.4.2.     K-25 Auxiliary Facilities Croup II Building Demolition, Main Plant Buildings

7.4.3.     K-25 and K-27 Buildings Removal Action

7.4.4.     Group II Buildings, Phase II Demolition Project

7.4.5.     Remaining Buildings Demolition Project

8.     CERCLA Actions at Other Sites

8.1.  Chestnut Ridge Overview

8.2.  Completed Single Project Actions at Chestnut Ridge

8.2.1.     United Nuclear Corporation Disposal Site Remedial Action

8.2.2.     Kerr Hollow Quarry Remedial Action

8.2.3.     Filled Coal Ash Pond/Upper McCoy Branch Remedial Action

9.     CERCLA Off-site Actions

9.1.  Introduction

9.2.  Clinch River/Poplar Creek and Lower Watts Bar Reservoir

9.2.1.     Project Description

9.2.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

9.2.3.     Evaluation of Performance and Stewardship Data

9.2.4.     Conclusions

9.3.  Lower East Fork Poplar Creek Remedial Action

9.3.1.     Project Description

9.3.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

9.3.3.     Evaluation of Performance and Stewardship Data

9.3.4.     Conclusions

9.4.  ORAU South Campus Facility Remedial Action

9.4.1.     Project Description

9.4.2.     Evaluation of Decision Document Requirements

9.4.3.     Evaluation of Performance and Stewardship Data

9.4.4.     Conclusions

10.  Bibliography

10.1.                 General

10.2.                 ETTP Documents

10.3.                 Bethel Valley Watershed Documents

10.4.                 Melton Valley Watershed Documents

10.5.                 Bear Creek Valley Watershed Documents

10.6.                 UEFPC Watershed Documents

10.7.                 ORR Off-site Locations Documents

11.  References

12.  Appendix A – Inactive Sites (8) with Stewardship Requirements

12.1.                 White Oak Creek Embayment Time-Critical Removal Action

12.2.                 Wag 13 Cesium Plots Interim Removal Action

12.3.                 White Wing Scrap Yard Surface Debris Interim Action

12.4.                 Building 3001 Canal Removal Action

12.5.                 Spoil Area 1 and SY-200 Yard (BC OU1) Remedial Action

12.6.                 UEFPC Watershed Interim ROD Union Valley Remedial Action

12.7.                 Old Hydrofracture Facility Tanks and Impoundment

12.8.                 Molten Salt Reactor Experiment – Uranium Deposit Removal

13.  Appendix B – Inactive Sites (20) with No Stewardship Requirements

13.1.                 K-1414 A and B Drum Storage Yards Interim Remedial Action

13.2.                 Mercury Tanks Interim Remedial Action

13.3.                 Plating Shop Container Areas Remedial Action

13.4.                 K-1070 Operable Unit SW-31 Spring Interim Remedial Action

13.5.                 Abandoned Nitric Acid Pipeline Remedial Action (UEFPC OU 2)

13.6.                 WAG 1 Tank WC-14 Time-critical Removal Action (Liquid Removal)

13.7.                 Molten Salt Reactor Experiment Time-critical Removal Action (Liquid Removal)

13.8.                 Waste Evaporator Facility Removal Action

13.9.                 WAG 4 Seeps Removal Action

13.10.              Old Hydrofracture Facility Tank Contents Removal

13.11.              K-25 Auxiliary Facilities Group 1 Building Demolition Removal Action

13.12.              Building 9201-4 (Alpha 4) Exterior Process Pipe Removal

13.13.              K-1401 and K-1420 Sumps Removal Action

13.14.              WAG 1 Tank WC-14 Time-critical Removal Action (Sludge Removal)

13.15.              Lead Source Removal at the Former YS-860 Firing Ranges Removal Action

13.16.              Y-12 Plant 9822 Sediment Basin and Building 81-10 Sump Removal Action

13.17.              Bethel Valley Main Plant LLLW Tanks Removal Action

13.18.              Gunite and Associated Tanks Stabilization Removal Action

13.19.              Gunite and Associated Tanks Stabilization Removal Action (Shells and Risers)

13.20.              Burial Ground D-East

14.  Appendix D – Bethel Valley Data

15.  Appendix E – UEFPC Outfall Data