Office of Environmental Management; Advance Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and Public Involvement Activities, 58834-58836 [E7-20449]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58834-58836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20449]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Environmental Management; Advance Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Area IV of the Santa 
Susana Field Laboratory and Public Involvement Activities

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Advance Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing an Advance 
Notice of its Intent (ANOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field 
Laboratory (SSFL). DOE is preparing the EIS in response to a May 2, 
2007, decision by the U.S. District Court of Northern California that a 
2003 DOE decision to prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 
and conduct remediation of Area IV on the basis of an environmental 
assessment, rather than prepare an EIS, violated the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). DOE is also requesting early comments 
from the public and other stakeholders on the scope of the EIS and 
issues to be considered in EIS analysis. To facilitate collaboration on 
these EIS issues, DOE also is announcing plans for public involvement 
activities to be held this fall, to provide information to its 
stakeholders and to receive comments from them.
    DOE is issuing this ANOI, pursuant to 10 CFR 1021.311(b), in order 
to inform and request early comments and assistance from Federal and 
State agencies, State and local governments, natural resource trustees, 
the general public, and other interested parties on the appropriate 
scope of the EIS, possible environmental issues, and the potential 
environmental impacts related to DOE's proposed activities for Area IV. 
Following the issuance of this ANOI, DOE intends to collect updated 
information that it will incorporate into the EIS analysis.
    DOE will conduct community and regulator interviews through 
November 2007. These public involvement opportunities will focus on 
consultation with the public about the process for EIS scoping, the 
development of the range of reasonable alternatives to be analyzed in 
the EIS, and related public concerns about the remediation. If, based 
on community input, DOE decides to hold a public meeting, DOE will 
notify the community through local media. Early comments on the scope 
of the EIS and issues to be considered are due by December 14, 2007. 
Though DOE will attempt to consider comments received after this date, 
it will only be able to do so to the extent practicable. DOE plans to 
issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for this EIS in the spring of calendar 
year 2008.

ADDRESSES: Please direct requests to be notified of interviews or a 
public meeting, comments on the scope of the EIS, and questions 
concerning the proposed project to: Stephanie Jennings, NEPA Document 
Manager, Office of Site Support and Small Projects (EM-3.2), U.S. 
Department of Energy, Energy Technology Engineering Center, P.O. Box 
10300, Canoga Park, CA 91309, telephone: 818-466-8162, fax: 818-466-
8730, or e-mail to: Stephanie.Jennings@em.doe.gov (use ``ANOI 
comments'' for the subject).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request further information about 
this EIS or about the public involvement activities, or to be placed on 
the EIS distribution list, use any of the methods listed under 
ADDRESSES above. For general information concerning the DOE NEPA 
process, contact Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and 
Compliance (GC-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585-0119, e-mail to: AskNEPA@hq.doe.gov, 
telephone: 202-586-4600, leave a message at 1-800-472-2756, or fax: 
202-586-7031.
    This Advance Notice of Intent (ANOI) will be available on the 
Internet at: https://www.eh.doe.gov/NEPA. Further information about Area 
IV and the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) can be found at 
https://apps.em.doe.gov/etec/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), located on approximately 
2,850 acres in the hills between Chatsworth and Simi Valley, CA, was 
developed as a remote site to test rocket engines and conduct nuclear 
research. The Atomics International Unit of Rockwell International's 
Canoga Park-based Rocketdyne Division began testing in 1947, and 
conducted an estimated 17,000 open-air rocket tests in support of the 
space program. In 1996, Rockwell International sold its aerospace and 
defense business, including the SSFL to The Boeing Company (Boeing).
    SSFL is divided in four administrative areas--Area I, Area II, Area 
III, and Area IV--along with two buffer zones. Area I is about 713 
acres, of which 671 acres is owned and operated by Boeing and 42 acres 
is owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 
and operated for it by Boeing. Area II, about 410 acres, is owned by 
NASA and operated for it by Boeing. Area III, about 114 acres, is owned 
and operated by Boeing. Area IV, about 290 acres, is owned by Boeing, 
which operates it for DOE. Boeing also owns a contiguous buffer zone of 
1143 acres to the south and a contiguous buffer zone of 182 acres to 
the north.
    Starting in the mid-1950s, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), a 
predecessor agency of DOE, funded nuclear energy research on a 90-acre 
parcel of Area IV leased from Rocketdyne. The Energy Technology and 
Engineering Center (ETEC) was established by the AEC on this parcel in 
the early 1960s as a ``center of excellence'' for liquid metals 
technology.
    The AEC built a small nuclear power plant to deliver energy to the 
commercial grid at the ETEC. Research also included testing of nuclear 
powered systems, for example, using liquid metals for space vehicles 
and a sodium coolant medium in 10 small reactors. All reactor 
operations ended in 1980 and nuclear research work was completed in 
1988. Cleanup of ETEC began in the 1960s and was performed in an 
ongoing manner as unnecessary facilities were decommissioned when there 
was no longer a use for them. DOE continues to lease the 90 acre parcel 
in Area IV from Boeing.
    In March 2003, DOE issued an Environmental Assessment (EA), 
Environmental Assessment for Cleanup and Closure of the Energy 
Technology Engineering Center, DOE/EA-1345. Based on the results of the 
EA, DOE

[[Page 58835]]

determined that an EIS was not required and issued a FONSI in March 
2003.
    DOE is now preparing an SSFL Area IV EIS in response to the U.S. 
District Court of Northern California's May 2, 2007, ruling in the case 
Natural Resources Defense Council v. Department of Energy Slip Op. 
WL2349288 (N.D. Cal. Aug.15, 2007), which held that DOE's decision to 
issue a FONSI and conduct cleanup and closure on the basis of DOE/EA-
1345 was in violation of NEPA. The Court ordered DOE to prepare an EIS 
for Area IV in accordance with NEPA. The Court further permanently 
enjoined the DOE from transferring ownership or possession, or 
otherwise relinquishing control over any portion of Area IV, until DOE 
completes the EIS and issues a Record of Decision pursuant to NEPA. In 
addition, the Court retained jurisdiction until it is satisfied that 
the DOE has met its legal obligations as they relate to the remediation 
of Area IV.
    Because of the Court's decision, DOE suspended the physical 
demolition and removal activities for the remaining facilities at ETEC 
except for those activities necessary to maintain the site in a safe 
and stable configuration. DOE has discontinued planned decontamination 
and decommission activities, but is continuing surveillance, 
maintenance, and environmental monitoring work, including soil and 
groundwater characterization required under the State of California 
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulations, while it 
prepares the EIS.
    In August 2007, DTSC issued a Consent Order to DOE, NASA and Boeing 
under its Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) authority. This 
Order requires cleanup of all chemically contaminated soils at SSFL by 
2017 or earlier, provides the option for DTSC to require more work to 
be conducted offsite of Area IV to assess air, soil and water 
contamination, and requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact 
Report, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

Early Public Involvement and Related Activities

    DOE is issuing this ANOI, pursuant to 10 CFR 1021.311(b), in order 
to inform and request early comments and assistance from Federal and 
State agencies, State and local governments, natural resource trustees, 
the general public, and other interested parties on the scope of the 
EIS, proposed environmental issues, and the potential environmental 
impacts related to DOE's potential activities at this site. Following 
the issuance of this ANOI, DOE intends to collect updated information 
that it will incorporate into the EIS analysis.

Purpose and Need for Agency Action

    DOE needs to complete remediation of Area IV to comply with 
applicable regulations and allow for an evaluation of the range of 
reasonable alternatives. The remediation will include cleanup of 
radiological and hazardous contaminants both onsite and offsite of Area 
IV and maintain surface and groundwater protection in accordance with 
applicable requirements.

Proposed Action and EIS Scope

    DOE's proposed action includes demolition of radiological 
facilities, demolition of most support buildings, cleanup of solid 
waste management units, groundwater remediation, mitigation measures, 
and disposal of all waste offsite at approved facilities.
    The EIS will evaluate the remediation of Area IV under current 
action plans and alternatives to them. The EIS will characterize 
environmental media, analyze the environmental impact of 
decontaminating and decommissioning or dismantling government buildings 
and structures, and analyzing environmental restoration activities for 
environmental contamination associated with DOE's activities. Waste 
management activities to be analyzed include operation, maintenance, 
and closure of RCRA-permitted facilities. The facilities that are to be 
included in the EIS include former radiological facilities, former 
sodium facilities, and administrative facilities. The EIS will consider 
the effects of possible contamination by non-radiological toxic or 
otherwise hazardous materials and address multiple exposures (chemical 
and radiological), as well as exposures to multiple radionuclides. The 
EIS will consider the suitability of Area IV for a range of future land 
uses, and assess possible radiological contamination of groundwater.
    The EIS may be used in the preparation of the Environmental Impact 
Report that is required by the DTSC Consent Order.

Preliminary Identification of Issues

    DOE is requesting input on the best methods to obtain accurate 
information on radiological and hazardous contamination in Area IV. It 
is also seeking input from stakeholders to resolve current and 
potential issues associated with RCRA constituents and to determine the 
extent of groundwater contamination both onsite and offsite of Area IV.

Preliminary Environmental Impacts for Analysis

    DOE has tentatively identified the following environmental impacts 
for analysis in the Area IV EIS. This list is presented to facilitate 
early comment during the public involvement activities on the scope of 
the EIS.
     Potential impacts to the general population, workers, and 
the environment from radiological and non-radiological releases.
     Potential impacts to soils, air, surface water quality, 
and groundwater quality.
     Potential transportation impacts from the shipment of 
radiological and non-radiological wastes to disposal sites.
     Potential impacts from postulated accidents.
     Potential impacts from intentional destructive acts.
     Potential disproportionately high and adverse effects on 
low-income and minority populations (environmental justice).
     Land use impacts.
     Socioeconomic impacts.
     Ecological resources (endangered species and wetlands).
     Cultural and paleontological resources.
     Compliance with applicable Federal, state and local 
requirements.
     Long-term site suitability, including erosion and 
seismicity.
     Cumulative impacts from contamination both onsite and 
offsite of Area IV.
     Mitigation measures to avoid or mitigate potentially 
significant environmental impacts.

Invitation To Comment

    DOE invites the public to provide early assistance in identifying 
the scope of the Area IV EIS, alternatives, environmental issues to 
consider, and environmental impacts to analyze through the early public 
involvement process. DOE will consider public comments and other 
relevant information in developing the NOI. Comments should be provided 
by the DATES and to the ADDRESSES above.

EIS Process

    DOE plans to issue the NOI in the spring of calendar year 2008, 
which will be followed by a public scoping period to assist in further 
defining the scope of the EIS and identifying significant issues to be 
addressed. The NOI will propose the range of reasonable alternatives 
for remediation of the Area IV site. After the NOI is issued, DOE will 
conduct public scoping meetings.

[[Page 58836]]

During the scoping period, the dates and locations of meetings will be 
announced in the local media. DOE will announce the availability of the 
Draft EIS in the Federal Register and other media and provide Federal 
and State agencies, State and local governments, natural resource 
trustees, the general public, and other interested parties with an 
opportunity to submit comments.
    DOE will also hold at least one public hearing in order to gather 
comments on the sufficiency of the Draft EIS once it is published. 
These comments will be considered and addressed in the Final EIS. DOE 
will issue a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days after EPA's 
notice of availability of the Final EIS.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2007.
Ines R. Triay,
(Acting) Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management.
[FR Doc. E7-20449 Filed 10-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P