5.4 SHUTDOWN AND DECOMMISSIONING
This alternative calls for the orderly phaseout of all programmatic research and development operations at LLNL and SNL, Livermore and the eventual shutdown and decommissioning of all facilities.
Phased shutdown is estimated to take 5 years. Decommissioning would involve the restoration or decontamination and disposal of contaminated facilities. Decommissioning and environmental compliance activities would start during shutdown and continue for at least another 5 years. The projects to be eliminated and the facilities to be shut down are those in existence at the end of FY 1992. Those projects and facilities required for compliance with statutes and regulations would continue. For additional discussion of this alternative, see section 3.2.3.
5.4.1 LAND USE
LLNL Livermore Site and SNL, Livermore
Implementation of the shutdown and decommissioning alternative would not result in land use changes other than the eventual shutdown of operations of the Laboratories. Determination of potential land use impacts for the period following shutdown and decommissioning is beyond the scope of this EIS/EIR. If the sites revert to private ownership, any land use or zoning approvals would be within the jurisdiction of the City of Livermore and/or the County of Alameda.
LLNL Site 300
Implementation of this alternative would not result in land use impacts other than the eventual shutdown of operations at LLNL Site 300. Determination of potential land use impacts for the period following shutdown and decommissioning is beyond the scope of this EIS/EIR. If the site reverts to private ownership, any land use and zoning approvals would be within the jurisdiction of the County of San Joaquin and/or the County of Alameda.
5.4.2 SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, there would be an estimated decrease in LLNL employment of about 11,400 people, including contractor personnel, 200 of whom are associated with LLNL Site 300. Shutdown would result in substantial economic losses to the local and regional economy through the loss of an estimated LLNL annual payroll of $432 million and $467 million per year spent on goods and services. At SNL, Livermore, the shutdown and decommissioning alternative would result in an estimated decrease in employment of 1500 people, as well as the loss of an estimated $52 million annual payroll and $92 million per year spent on goods and services.
The shutdown of LLNL and SNL, Livermore operations would result not only in the loss of the majority of employment opportunities associated with their operations, but also in a decline in sales tax revenues for area cities and counties. Job positions associated with current research projects would be eliminated at the completion of those projects. Significant unemployment and economic impacts to the local economy would occur in the short term, although long-term impacts cannot be determined.
By the end of the shutdown period, the majority of current positions would be eliminated. A smaller crew of decommissioning personnel, caretakers, and security staff would be employed to clean up and maintain the sites. Although a precise estimate of the size of this work force is not available, it is estimated to be not more than a few hundred employees. Following decommissioning, the work force would approach zero (ultimately dependent upon future ownership and site use).
The relatively large employment loss from the shutdown would result in additional local and regional competition for jobs as LLNL and SNL, Livermore workers sought local work opportunities. Unemployment would increase. Furthermore, many of the workers would migrate out of the area in search of employment elsewhere because many are highly skilled and specialized. Job transferability within Alameda and San Joaquin counties would be extremely restricted (Szalay, 1990). This could reduce population growth and urban development in the surrounding area, where the majority of LLNL and SNL, Livermore personnel reside. These potential impacts are individually and collectively significant and unavoidable.
5.4.3 COMMUNITY SERVICES
LLNL and SNL, Livermore—Fire Protection and Emergency Services
The LLNL Fire Department would continue to provide fire protection and emergency response services, including mutual aid service to surrounding communities, during the shutdown and decommissioning process if this alternative were selected. Routine maintenance and upgrades of facilities and equipment would continue as needed until the Laboratories were closed, although the level of staff and equipment would be reduced to reflect reductions in facilities and staff. Eventually, following completion of decommissioning, the LLNL Fire Department would necessarily withdraw from its agreements with the City of Livermore Fire Department and from mutual aid agreements with other offsite agencies. Because this would not alter the ability of the City of Livermore Fire Department or other offsite agencies to provide adequate service within their respective jurisdictions, shutdown and decommissioning would result in a less than significant impact on local fire protection and emergency services.
SNL, Livermore does not maintain a separate fire protection force but relies on LLNL for help when needed; therefore, the impact of shutting down SNL, Livermore on fire and emergency protection community services would be less than significant.
LLNL and SNL, Livermore—Police and Security Services
The LLNL and SNL, Livermore protective forces would maintain a reduced level of operations to provide onsite security during the shutdown and decommissioning process. Because of the limited interaction with offsite law enforcement agencies, a reduction in the protective forces, and the ultimate discontinuance of onsite security services, the shutdown and decommissioning alternative would have a less than significant impact on offsite law enforcement agencies.
LLNL and SNL, Livermore—Schools
Because this alternative would involve a reduction in employment during the shutdown and decommissioning process, it could also result in a decrease in the number of students enrolled in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District and other school districts. Following complete shutdown and decommissioning, DOE would no longer be required to participate in the federal government's Impact Aid Program, which contributes funds to the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District to compensate for impacts to the district resulting from the provision of school services to pupils with at least one parent employed on federal lands. This would represent a funding reduction to the school district, and would be a potentially significant impact.
LLNL Livermore Site and SNL, Livermore—Nonhazardous Solid Waste Disposal
This alternative could result in a short-term increase in the amount of nonhazardous solid waste transported to the Vasco Road Sanitary Landfill from disposal of demolition debris and other nonhazardous wastes from shutdown of the various facilities. Shutdown and decommissioning would gradually reduce and eventually eliminate solid waste generated at the sites. Implementation of this alternative would not have a significant impact on the ability of Alameda County to provide adequate landfill capacity.
LLNL Site 300—Nonhazardous Solid Waste Disposal
The shutdown and decommissioning alternative could result in a short-term increase in the amount of solid waste transported to the Corral Hollow Sanitary Landfill from disposal of demolition debris and other nonhazardous wastes. This increase would be considered potentially significant, even though shutdown and decommissioning would eventually eliminate solid waste generated at the site because the Corral Hollow landfill is scheduled to close before the shutdown and decommissioning process would be completed. Therefore, implementation of this alternative would have a significant impact on the ability of San Joaquin County to provide adequate landfill capacity.
5.4.4 PREHISTORIC AND HISTORIC CULTURAL RESOURCES
LLNL Livermore Site and LLNL Site 300
There are no recorded prehistoric resources at the LLNL Livermore site. The site's historic value has yet to be evaluated; the site may contain historic resources that are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, the Area of Potential Effect for the LLNL Livermore site would encompass the entire site, since shutdown and decommissioning activities could affect structures throughout. This alternative could result in increased impacts to historic resources as the facility is decommissioned to allow for an undetermined future use. The exact nature of impacts would be unknown until a determination is made as to which structures or facilities are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and until DOE determines which structures would be dismantled under the shutdown and decommissioning program.
Of 24 cultural resource sites (3 prehistoric, 20 historic, and 1 with both a prehistoric and a historic component) recorded in a 1981 field and archival survey of LLNL Site 300, none has been formally evaluated for eligibility in the National Register of Historic Places. The Area of Potential Effect at LLNL Site 300 would be increased under this alternative to encompass the entire site. The exact nature of impacts is unknown until the shutdown and decommissioning program is clearly defined. Measures to protect all recorded prehistoric and historic sites, and any additional sites identified from the additional archival research of the town of Carnegie would need to be implemented. Protective measures might include flagging or fencing the site areas and/or recovering additional data from the sites.
Implementation of the shutdown and decommissioning alternative would not affect the need for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to determine if there are prehistoric and historic resources at LLNL Site 300 or at the LLNL Livermore site that should be included in the National Register.
SNL, Livermore
There are no National Register listed or eligible properties on SNL, Livermore to be affected by this alternative (State Historic Preservation Office, 1990).
5.4.5 AESTHETICS
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Implementation of the shutdown and decommissioning alternative could result in short-term visual impacts if demolition of existing structures is required. In the long term, the visual character of the site following completion of the shutdown and decommissioning process cannot be determined until more is known regarding future land use. Therefore, a potentially significant impact is identified. Evaluation of potential changes in the visual character of the sites as a result of possible new uses is not within the scope of this EIS/EIR.
5.4.6 GEOLOGIC RESOURCES AND HAZARDS
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
No known geologic resources are close enough to any of the three sites to be affected by activities of the shutdown and decommissioning alternative. Similarly, the shutdown and decommissioning alternative activities at LLNL and SNL, Livermore would not be impacted by a geologic hazard (earthquake, landslide, or liquefaction). It is assumed that as part of the shutdown and decommissioning process, steps would be taken to eliminate the potential for erosion due to loss of landscape vegetation and exposed soils from building demolition. These impacts are less than significant.
5.4.7 ECOLOGY (Vegetation, Wildlife, Sensitive Species, and Wetlands)
LLNL Livermore Site and SNL, Livermore
After shutdown and decommissioning, the long-term impacts on the ecology of the LLNL Livermore site and SNL, Livermore would depend on possible future uses that have not been identified or evaluated within the scope of this EIS/EIR. In the short term, any required demolition or decontamination could disrupt the already highly altered plant communities and associated wildlife; therefore, impacts of this alternative on biological resources at the LLNL Livermore site and SNL, Livermore would be less than significant.
LLNL Site 300
Biological resources at LLNL Site 300 could be substantially affected if shutdown and decommissioning were to alter the present land use controls, for example by allowing grazing or discontinuing the controlled burns. The native perennial grasslands could disappear and other plant community types, including wetlands, could be degraded, resulting in a reduction in wildlife species diversity. Negative impacts to threatened and endangered species and other sensitive species could occur, especially to species such as the red-legged frog and tiger salamander, which use aquatic habitats. In addition, all artificial wetlands would disappear.
Thus, impacts on biological resources at LLNL Site 300 could be significant. However, specific impacts cannot be determined until such time as new land uses are identified.
5.4.8 AIR QUALITY
LLNL Livermore Site
During shutdown there would be substantial reductions of emissions. However, during decommissioning there would be short-term impacts relating to particulate fugitive dust, volatile organic compounds, NOx, and resuspension contributing to a nonattainment area for ozone and PM10. These impacts would be temporary and localized to the areas of construction and are therefore less than significant. Overall, under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, there would be an eventual reduction of emissions to near zero levels. These are beneficial impacts.
Although during shutdown and decommissioning some radiological releases would continue, these releases and the resulting public exposure would decrease to near zero. In the long run, the impact of this alternative on public exposures to radiation would be a beneficial impact.
LLNL Site 300
During decommissioning there would be short-term impacts relating to particulate fugitive dust, volatile organic compounds, and NOx emissions contributing to a nonattainment area for ozone and PM10. These impacts would be temporary and localized to the areas of construction and are therefore less than significant. Overall, under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, there would be an eventual reduction of emissions to near zero levels at LLNL Site 300. These are beneficial impacts.
Although during shutdown and decommissioning some radiological releases would continue, these releases and the resulting public exposure would decrease to near zero. In the long run, the impact of this alternative on public exposures to radiation would be a beneficial impact.
SNL, Livermore
During decommissioning there would be short-term impacts relating to particulate fugitive dust, volatile organic compounds, and NOx emissions contributing to a nonattainment area for ozone and PM10. These impacts would be temporary and localized to the areas of construction and are therefore less than significant. Overall, under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, there would be an eventual reduction of emissions to near zero levels at SNL, Livermore. These are beneficial impacts.
Although during shutdown and decommissioning some radiological releases would continue, these releases and the resulting public exposure would decrease to near zero. In the long run, the impact of this alternative on public exposures to radiation would be a beneficial impact.
5.4.9 WATER
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Decommissioning activities under this alternative would produce some temporary but insignificant diversions of surface runoff at the LLNL Livermore site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore. These activities are not expected to have long-term effects on ground water at any of the three sites. The impacts of shutdown and decommissioning on surface and ground water are, therefore, less than significant.
5.4.10 NOISE
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
A short-term increase in offsite noise levels might occur from possible demolition activities under this alternative. In the long term, implementation of the shutdown and decommissioning alternative would be expected to reduce traffic noise levels along roadways in the vicinity of the three sites. In addition, impulse noise levels would be eliminated at LLNL Site 300 because of the discontinuation of high explosives testing onsite. The net effect of these impacts is deemed to be less than significant or beneficial.
5.4.11 TRAFFIC
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Without making assumptions regarding potential traffic from possible new land uses at the three Laboratory sites after shutdown and decommissioning, the reduced activity and employment levels resulting from the shutdown and decommissioning of the sites would result in reduced traffic and thus a beneficial effect compared to existing conditions. Levels of service on some of the major roadways near the sites would improve substantially from the reduction in peak-period traffic, resulting in decreased traffic impacts in the long term. In the short term there could be a temporary increase in truck traffic hauling construction debris; however, this is not considered to be a significant effect.
In some cases, depending on future land uses, street widening or other improvements planned to serve the combined traffic from the Laboratories and future development near the Laboratories would be unnecessary or could be reduced in scope.
5.4.12 UTILITIES AND ENERGY
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Should the Laboratories be shut down and decommissioned, utility and energy consumption and production of sewerable waste would decrease to the level needed to maintain ongoing environmental compliance, restoration, and infrastructure maintenance, eventually reducing such consumption and production to near zero. Because water usage would be reduced, at least in the short term, this decrease in use of these resources could be a beneficial impact.
5.4.13 MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Materials Management
Operations at LLNL and SNL, Livermore require the use of hazardous and radioactive materials. Under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, the amounts of these materials used would decrease as individual facilities are phased out. Any such remaining materials would be sent to other facilities for their use, returned to vendors if possible, or disposed of or recycled in accordance with applicable regulations. Some of this material would become waste, as discussed below. The long-term impact of this alternative would be beneficial.
Waste Management
The shutdown and decommissioning of LLNL and SNL, Livermore facilities would generate hazardous and radioactive wastes from decontamination of structures and disposal of inventories of hazardous and radioactive wastes. To accurately estimate the hazardous, radioactive, and mixed wastes generated during decommissioning, a model would be developed to estimate the amount of contamination in individual facilities, the potential benefits of treating the wastes, and the permitted residual levels of contamination.
As a result of the decommissioning, the number of waste shipments would be expected to increase during the initial phases. However, shipments would gradually decline, reducing any potential long-term impacts to near zero. The number of initial waste shipments would be dependent upon disposal availability. Onsite storage of mixed waste would continue until approved treatment and disposal options become available. In addition, radioactive waste would not be shipped to the Nevada Test Site, or other approved disposal facilities, until waste certification plans are approved.
The ongoing environmental restoration activity would continue to produce wastes. This waste generation would, however, be offset in the long term by the elimination of hazardous and radioactive waste generated in current LLNL and SNL, Livermore operations.
The initial increased generation of wastes from shutdown and decommissioning would eventually be reduced to zero when the sites are completely decommissioned. The long-term impact of this alternative would be beneficial.
5.4.14 OCCUPATIONAL PROTECTION
LLNL Livermore Site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore
Occupational Protection—Radiological
Although decommissioning activities would result in radiation doses to the workers involved in the removal of contaminated materials, these exposures would be less than DOE annual worker dose limit. It is estimated that each member of the work crews decommissioning radioactive materials handling areas would receive an annual radiation dose of approximately 0.5 rem, or about 10 percent of that limit for occupational exposure.
Decontamination of contaminated facilities would be conducted in secondary enclosures to mitigate the potential spread of radioactivity and other hazardous materials. Impacts would be similar to those of the proposed action and primarily restricted to the immediate area onsite. Exposures of workers to radiation would be kept below regulatory limits. This impact, therefore, is less than significant.
Occupational Exposure—Toxic Substances and Physical Hazards
Although the nonradiological consequences associated with LLNL and SNL, Livermore operations are below the occupational and public health threshold limits (see section 4.16), these impacts would eventually be eliminated altogether with shutdown and decommissioning. The number of potential occupational illnesses, injuries, and radiological and nonradiological exposures from current conditions would be reduced as employment gradually declined during decommissioning. Although there would be an influx of decommissioning personnel, the number of LLNL and SNL, Livermore program staff would decrease.
Although there may be an increase in exposures associated with initial decommissioning activities, with the cessation of research and the completion of decommissioning, there would be an eventual reduction to near zero of worker and public exposure to hazardous materials and wastes at the sites.
In the long term, shutdown and decommissioning would reduce worker exposure to toxic substances and physical hazards to near zero. Only the much smaller crew engaged in the long-term remediation of site contamination would remain, and the possibility of their continuing to be exposed to these hazards would be much reduced. During the decommissioning, however, any required demolition, some of it using heavy equipment, would be, essentially, construction activity. This activity could involve greater physical risks to the worker.
Although workers involved in decontamination and decommissioning would be at risk during these activities, health and safety plans and programs would be developed and implemented to reduce worker exposure and worker construction activity risks to the extent possible. The net effect would be a decreased risk to workers, since sources of exposure would be eliminated. The net impact is less than significant and may be beneficial.
5.4.15 SITE CONTAMINATION
It is assumed that, if the Laboratories were shut down and decommissioned, environmental restoration activities would continue until remediation is completed. It is likely that during shutdown and decommissioning, additional source areas of contamination would be found, particularly during building demolition activities. Under the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, the environmental restoration program would include characterization and remediation of these source areas, in addition to ongoing environmental restoration activities. The shutdown and decommissioning, therefore, would not affect present site contamination. In the long term, the impacts of site contamination are expected to decrease to near zero. As a consequence of shutdown and decommissioning, the potential for future releases of hazardous or radioactive materials would be eliminated; therefore, the net impact would be beneficial. Although the determination of the potential significance of possible land (and ground water) use changes at the Laboratories during and following shutdown and decommissioning is beyond the scope of this EIS/EIR, administrative controls on local ground water use would be required for areas impacted and potentially impacted by the contaminated plumes for the duration of the ground water remediation program.
5.4.16 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
The influences of shutdown and decommissioning are not always limited to the boundaries of the LLNL Livermore site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore. Offsite impacts are sometimes compounded by changes and influences taking place onsite.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—LAND USE
Planned and proposed development within the regions near the Laboratories would result in a cumulative loss of agricultural land and open space. However, shutdown and decommissioning activities would not contribute to this loss because no land acquisition or new facility construction is associated with this alternative. Evaluation of potential land use impacts related to future (as yet undefined) uses of the three sites or conflicts with land use plans of local jurisdictions is beyond the scope of this EIS/EIR.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—SOCIOECONOMICS
Planned and proposed development in the area would provide additional employment opportunities that might encourage a population increase and a subsequent increase in the demand for housing in the area. This cumulative demand for housing would be considered significant and unavoidable for those areas that have a limited supply of available housing (e.g., City of Livermore). However, the shutdown and decommissioning alternative would not contribute to this impact because this alternative could ultimately result in the loss of approximately 12,900 jobs at LLNL and SNL, Livermore. Many of these people are expected to leave the area to search for jobs elsewhere because of their highly trained and skilled professions (job transferability within Alameda and San Joaquin counties would be limited). Thus, this alternative would not contribute to a significant cumulative demand for housing in the area.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—COMMUNITY SERVICES
Planned and proposed development would contribute to a cumulative demand for community services in the area. This cumulative demand would be considered significant for those services which have existing capacity problems. For example, as discussed in section 5.1.3, there are potential cumulatively significant school and landfill capacity problems in the region. This alternative would not contribute further to potentially significant cumulative school capacity problems in the region since employment at the Laboratories would be reduced. However, during the shutdown and decommissioning process at the Laboratories could contribute to a cumulative significant impact on nonhazardous solid waste disposal services in San Joaquin County if activities at LLNL increase the rate of nonhazardous solid waste generation. Upon completion of the shutdown and decommissioning process, the Laboratories' demand for services would be reduced virtually to zero because this alternative would eventually lead to the elimination of the need for offsite community services required for the operation of the LLNL and SNL, Livermore sites. In the long term, this alternative would reduce the amount of nonhazardous solid waste generated at the sites and reduce the Laboratories' demand for landfill disposal services.
Because the Laboratories have independent security and fire protection services and rarely provide emergency response for offsite agencies, this alternative would not contribute to the increase in demand associated with development in the area. Though it would actually reduce impacts to school overcrowding by reducing local population attributable to the Laboratories, an additional impact to school services would occur under this alternative because the districts would lose Federal Impact Aid Funding that contributes money to the budgets of affected school districts.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—PREHISTORIC AND HISTORIC RESOURCES
As discussed in section 5.1.4, cumulative impacts to prehistoric and historic cultural resources within the cumulative impact study area cannot be delineated as part of this EIS/EIR; however, because cultural resources are known to occur in the study area, it is expected that future development within the area could potentially impact these resources. As discussed in section 5.4.4, the importance of historic resources at the LLNL Livermore site and LLNL Site 300 has yet to be determined and the exact nature of impacts to potentially important resources would not be known until DOE determines which structures (if any) would be dismantled under the shutdown and decommissioning program. Cumulative impacts, therefore, could occur under this alternative, although at this time it is too speculative to determine whether potential cumulative impacts would be significant or not.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—AESTHETICS
Planned and proposed development within the cumulative impact study areas would result in a cumulative alteration of existing scenic resources. Shutdown and decommissioning activities at LLNL and SNL, Livermore associated with this alternative, however, would not contribute to this alteration of scenic resources because no new construction is proposed. Visual impacts related to possible demolition activities could occur, but these impacts would be temporary and, therefore, less than significant. The evaluation of long-term visual impacts related to future uses on the sites is beyond the scope of this EIS/EIR.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—GEOLOGIC RESOURCES AND HAZARDS
No cumulative impacts to geologic resources are anticipated as a result of the shutdown and decommissioning alternative, since no known geologic resources are close enough to any of the three sites to be affected by shutdown and decommissioning activities. Shutdown and decommissioning of the Laboratories would remove structures and hazardous and radioactive materials from a seismically active area, thus lowering the risk for structural failure, fire, and hazardous materials releases to the community, resulting in a beneficial impact. No significant cumulative impacts from geologic hazards are anticipated in conjunction with shutdown and decommissioning.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—ECOLOGY
If shutdown and decommissioning results in changes in land use practices, such as allowing grazing and discontinuing controlled burns, then cumulative impacts could occur. A degradation of plant communities, including wetlands, and wildlife habitat would be expected if grazing is allowed and controlled burning no longer takes place. The destruction or degradation of 6.76 acres of wetlands would represent a cumulative impact when considered with potential wetland losses in the region. Because future land uses following shutdown and decommissioning are unknown, the full extent of long-term cumulative impacts of this alternative on ecology cannot be evaluated.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—AIR QUALITY
The shutdown and decommissioning of LLNL and SNL, Livermore would mean an eventual decrease of emissions to near zero levels. However, during shutdown and decommissioning the sources of air contamination at the three sites would contribute to a nonattainment area for PM10 (particulates) and ozone; this would be considered a significant and unavoidable impact.
The impacts of airborne emissions from shutdown and decommissioning at the sites would also be a decrease of these emissions to near zero. This would be considered a beneficial impact; however, it should be noted that radiological and other exposure levels offsite are already well below all regulatory standards.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—WATER
No significant cumulative impacts on surface and ground water are identified as a result of shutdown and decommissioning. The removal of paved and covered surfaces, resulting in increased recharge areas and decreased flood potential, would have a minor beneficial impact; however, future development at the Laboratories and in the vicinity would probably limit this benefit.
Shutdown and decommissioning would reduce ground water consumption both at the LLNL Livermore site and at LLNL Site 300. At the LLNL Livermore site, use of treated ground water in cooling towers and for landscape irrigation would cease. As a consequence, modifications to the ground water distribution and recharge system would be required and more treated ground water would be available for aquifer recharge. Under this alternative, at LLNL Site 300, existing water supply wells would be removed from service.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—NOISE
The shutdown and decommissioning alternative would eventually result in reduced cumulative traffic levels, and thus reduced roadway noise levels, in the vicinity of LLNL and SNL, Livermore. This would be a beneficial effect.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—TRAFFIC
It is possible that after shutdown and decommissioning of the Laboratories, the properties they now occupy could be converted to other high-employment uses. In addition, continued infill in the industrial development area north of the LLNL Livermore site would add to local traffic. Evaluation of the impacts associated with these subsequent uses of the Laboratories' properties or adjacent areas, however, is beyond the scope of this EIS/EIR. Shutdown and decommissioning of the Laboratories would result in a short-term increase in truck traffic hauling construction debris, which is not considered to be significant, and a long-term decrease in traffic levels nearby. Without considering traffic associated with possible new land uses at the sites, this alternative would result in a beneficial impact on cumulative traffic conditions near the sites.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—OCCUPATIONAL PROTECTION
Radiation workers accumulate exposures wherever they work. The reduction or elimination of worker exposures at LLNL and SNL, Livermore does not necessarily imply a net reduction of worker exposure throughout the industry. Under the present regulatory environment, these exposure records would follow these workers wherever they might work afterwards. Although the net impact of shutdown and decommissioning would potentially be a reduction in exposure to workers, it might be less than a complete cessation of exposure to these workers. The net cumulative impact of this alternative, however, would be less than significant.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—UTILITIES AND ENERGY
Decreased demands on utilities and energy resources as a result of shutdown and decommissioning would have a beneficial impact on available supply since increased utility and energy demand by Livermore and other surrounding growing communities is anticipated. Because future land use of the facilities following shutdown and decommissioning is unknown, it is not possible to estimate future utility and energy use requirements for the Laboratory properties, and, therefore, an evaluation of potential cumulative impacts cannot be made at this time.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
The shutdown and decommissioning alternative would make it necessary to handle and dispose of any radioactive or hazardous materials, or radioactive, mixed, or hazardous waste presently stored at the LLNL Livermore site, LLNL Site 300, or SNL, Livermore. Radioactive or hazardous materials would be shipped offsite to other DOE facilities requiring these materials. Radioactive, mixed, or hazardous wastes would be shipped to disposal sites licensed to accept these wastes. All transportation would be in accordance with DOE, U.S. Department of Transportation, and California transportation requirements.
The existing industries to the north of the Laboratories and those that may be expected to be developed during the 5- to 10-year period of the shutdown and decommissioning would be expected to use some of the same hazardous materials used by LLNL and SNL, Livermore. Although this may result in a greater number of workers in the area being exposed to hazardous materials, the cumulative impacts would not affect the public unless an accident or spill occurs. The overall cumulative impact from this alternative is considered less than significant.
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS—SITE CONTAMINATION
The present soils and ground water contamination underlying the LLNL Livermore site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore stems from early uses of these sites (see section 4.17). DOE is responsible for their remediation and has instituted programs to evaluate the severity of this contamination and to assess means for its remediation. Regardless of whether or not the sites are shut down and decommissioned, this remediation effort will continue.
If the environmental restoration activities were to be discontinued or were found to be ineffective, in part or altogether, after nearly 270 years the contamination plume from the LLNL Livermore site would reach a municipal well field (see sections 4.17 and 4.19). Calculations indicate, however, that dispersion, dilution, and natural attenuation would have reduced contamination levels to below regulatory limits. Even in these circumstances, the impacts of site contamination would be less significant.
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