(a) Content of license application. An applicant for a license
to authorize disposal of radioactive material shall submit the information
required in Chapter 305 of this title (relating to Consolidated Permits) and
the following:
(1) an inventory of radionuclides in the wastes to be disposed
of and the concentration and total activity of each radionuclide;
(2) the estimated frequency of burials and estimated volume
of waste in each burial;
(3) a description of waste packaging;
(4) a description of nonradiological constituents in the waste
(e.g., hazardous wastes, heavy metals, absorbents, and chelating agents);
(5) site characterization, including:
(A) the identification of all soil layers by classification
according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods (e.g.,
sand, gravel, silt, and clay), soil engineering properties, and infiltration
and drainage characteristics (e.g., coefficient of permeability according
to ASTM D5084);
(B) stratigraphy (geological identification) of the near-surface
subsoils;
(C) geologic hazards, including faulting, seismic activity,
sink holes, solution depressions, and flooding, including identification of
the 100-year floodplain;
(D) hydrological data, including porosity, distribution coefficient,
hydraulic conductivity, soils dispersivity, and hydraulic gradient;
(E) groundwater, including use, depth to aquifer, fluctuation,
discharge location, and saturated thickness;
(F) water wells in the vicinity, including location, use, depth,
and water level;
(G) surface drainages and bodies of water in the vicinity,
including locations and use;
(H) meteorological data;
(I) maps, including United States Geological Survey topographic
quadrangle, hydrologic, and geologic;
(J) area resources (e.g., local land use, locations of nearby
residences, etc.);
(K) site performance history, including erosion, flooding,
subsidence, etc.; and
(L) a summary of any past disposals and any observed effects;
(6) a description of the proposed design and construction of
the waste disposal trench or landfill;
(7) a description of the proposed design and construction of
the final cover and of proposed closure procedures;
(8) information on the depth of waste burial and proposed procedures
for emplacement of waste;
(9) proposed inspection, maintenance, and stabilization procedures;
(10) the applicant's radiological impact assessment consisting
of modeling of radionuclide releases to site-specific critical exposure pathways
and the projection of potential radiological doses to an individual on site
and to a member of the public off site;
(11) proposed radiation safety procedures during operations
and closure;
(12) a description of proposed radiological monitoring of the
site;
(13) the organizational structure of the applicant, a description
of lines of authority and assignment of responsibilities, and technical qualifications
of personnel responsible for radiation safety functions;
(14) information on the applicant's proposed methods of restricting
access to the site (e.g., fencing) and proposed permanent site markers;
(15) proposed recordkeeping;
(16) information on land ownership and any covenants or restrictions
on land use;
(17) the applicant's justification for the proposed disposal
method;
(18) an evaluation of other disposal alternatives, including
disposal of the radioactive material at a licensed disposal facility; and
(19) financial assurance for decommissioning as provided for
in §336.619 of this title (relating to Financial Assurance for Decommissioning).
(b) Content of application for renewal of license.
(1) An applicant for renewal of a license authorizing disposal
of radioactive material shall submit information on:
(A) the current status of disposal operations, including the
current status of use or closure of disposal trenches or landfills;
(B) as-built construction of disposal trenches or landfills
and any final covers;
(C) volumes of radioactive material disposed of to date;
(D) the concentration and total activity of each radionuclide
in the waste disposed of;
(E) the frequency of burials;
(F) the results of any radiological monitoring performed at
the site;
(G) any changes in or additions to the procedures or information
contained in previous applications;
(H) financial assurance for decommissioning as provided for
in §336.619 of this title; and
(I) an evaluation of the alternative of disposing of the radioactive
material at a licensed disposal facility.
(2) The executive director may request additional information,
such as that required by subsection (a) of this section, if that information
was not previously provided for the site or is not current.
(c) Performance objectives. The applicant's submittal shall
include sufficient information to enable the executive director to assess
the potential hazard to public health and safety and to determine whether
the disposal site will have a significant impact on the environment. General
criteria and performance objectives which the executive director shall apply
in the evaluation of a proposed disposal site include the following:
(1) Radiation exposure and release of radioactive materials
from a disposal site shall be maintained as low as is reasonably achievable.
Reasonable assurance must be provided that the potential dose to an individual
on or near the site will be within acceptable limits. The estimated committed
effective dose equivalent resulting from a radiological assessment of a site
will usually be the determining factor in the granting of authorization for
a disposal site. If the projected dose to a member of the public exceeds 25
millirems per year, the executive director shall consider other factors in
determining whether to grant authorization for the site, including, but not
limited to, the use of institutional controls to restrict access for a specified
period of time.
(2) The location and characteristics of a site shall preclude
potential offsite migration or transport of radioactive materials or ready
access to critical exposure pathways.
(3) The general topography of the proposed disposal site must
be compatible with the proposed waste burial. As an example, surface features
shall direct surface water drainage away from the disposal site. Wastes shall
not be buried in locations which, once covered, would tend to collect surface
water. The characteristics of the site shall minimize to the extent practicable
the potential for erosion and contact of percolating or standing water with
wastes.
(4) Water-bearing strata shall be a minimum of 10 feet below
the depth at which waste will be buried.
(5) Waste shall be emplaced in a manner that minimizes the
void spaces between packages and permits the void spaces to be filled.
(6) Void spaces between waste packages shall be filled with
earth or other material to reduce future subsidence within the fill.
(7) Covers shall be designed to minimize water infiltration
to the extent practicable, to direct percolating or surface water away from
the disposed waste, and to resist degradation by surface geologic processes
and biotic activity.
(8) In general, a disposal site for which authorization is
requested under this subchapter shall be located, designed, operated, and
closed so that long-term isolation and custodial care for long-term stability
would not be required beyond the time the licensee can reasonably be expected
to occupy the site. If a proposed site does not meet this objective, requirements
for long-term care shall be evaluated.
(9) The location of a disposal site shall be such that it is
compatible with the uses of surrounding environs (both the applicant's and
adjacent properties).
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