Management of Comments on DOE's Site Characterization Plan (SCP) and Integration with the Planned Geotechnical Program

Bjerstedt, Thomas W.; Gil, April V.; Baird, Frank A.; ,

Management of Comments on DOE's Site Characterization Plan (SCP) and Integration with the Planned Geotechnical Program

by Thomas W. Bjerstedt, U.S. Dept of Energy, Las Vegas, United States,
April V. Gil, U.S. Dept of Energy, Las Vegas, United States,
Frank A. Baird, U.S. Dept of Energy, Las Vegas, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1991

Abstract:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has committed to respond to comments on the SCP throughout the site characterization process. As of January 1990 DOE has received 4,574 comments on both the SCP/Consultation Draft and the statutory SCP. Of these, 2,662 responses have been completed and returned to the originators. Many comments are programmatic in nature and express diverse concerns beyond the scope of the SCP. DOE uses a three-tiered process in responding to comments that integrates technical and management responsibilities. The process defines specific roles in developing, reviewing, and concurring on responses. Commitments or open-items can be generated in DOE responses to comments, which are tracked on a relational database. Major changes reflected in the Secretary of Energy's 1989 reassessment of the high-level waste program were advocated in comments on the SCP. Most DOE commitments, however, deal with consideration of recommendations contained in SCP comments relevant to low-levels of technical planning detail (SCP Study Plans). Commitments are discharged when referred to the appropriate quality-affecting or management process whereupon their merits can be evaluated.

Return to search