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NEVADA TEST SITE

KEY FACILITIES

The NTS Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS) serves as a major disposal facility for low-level radioactive waste (LLW) generated by DOE installations. Since 1978, the NTS has served as a site for disposal of radioactive waste from numerous defense locations around the DOE complex.

The RWMS consists of two disposal sites, one in Area 3 and one in Area 5.

The Area 3 RWMS is located on Yucca Flat and covers an area of approximately 50 acres. Historically, Area 3 RWMS was used for storage of the larger, bulk-type packages of low-level waste (LLW) in craters covering 120 acres. Contaminated debris from the NTS atmospheric testing debris disposal program (ATDDP) and packaged bulk LLW from offsite DOE facilities was disposed of in subsidence craters that have resulted from underground nuclear tests. The Area 3 site has been used for disposal of low-level waste in bulk form, typically within sealand containers, using two adjoining subsidence craters for a single disposal unit. Fill material is derived from soil between the two craters. Originally, the Area 3 site was used to clean up contaminated soils and equipment from above-ground tests. Under the guidelines of DOE-STD-1027-92 and DOE Order 5480.23, Area 3 does not contain sufficient quantities of radioactive materials to be categorized as a nuclear facility. Once the two inactive disposal cells are filled to capacity, Area 3 RWMS is likely to undergo closure.

 

The Area 5 RWMS was established in 1961 for the disposal of LLW and classified waste generated by various NTS operations and by other DOE facilities. Area 5 RWMS is located in Frenchman Flat Basin in the southeastern part of the NTS, approximately 14 miles north of the main gate. Conventional near-surface disposal is conducted in the Area 5 RWMS. The Area 5 site is used for low-level waste, classified waste, and mixed waste disposal (from NTS generators only), transuranic waste storage, and hazardous waste accumulation for offsite disposal. The Area 5 RWMS contains sufficient quantities of radioactive material to be classified as a nuclear facility and is designated as a Hazard Category 3 facility. Only Area 5 RMWS continues to be used for low-level radioactive waste disposal. Approximately 160 acres on the 732-acre site are used for waste storage