4 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
Section 4 discusses the environment which is likely to experience impacts from construction, operation, or decontamination and decommissioning of the alternatives identified in Section 3. For baseline purposes, the environment prior to implementing proposed alternatives is considered as the starting point for this environmental impact analysis. For this EIS, the affected environment is the entire area of the Hanford Site and the area adjacent to it. The Hanford area is located in southeastern Washington State northwest of the confluences of the Snake and Yakima Rivers with the Columbia River. The location of the Hanford Site is shown in Figure 4-1. The site is located within Benton, Grant, Franklin, and Adams Counties. The location of Hanford Site in relation to these counties is shown in Figure 4-2. Major population centers in close proximity to the Hanford Site are the cities of Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick, commonly referred together as the Tri- Cities. The Tri-Cities are the closest urban areas to the site and home to most of the Hanford Site employees. The cities are serviced by an airport at Pasco, Interstate Highways 82 and 182, and U.S. Highways 12 and 395, several state highways, railroads, and river barges on the Columbia River. The Hanford Site is about 50 km (30 mi) north to south and 39 km (24 mi) east to west, comprising a site area of about 1,450 km2 (560 mi2). It is a relatively large, undisturbed area of shrub-steppe that contains numerous plant and animal species adapted to the region's semiarid environment. Two small east-west ridges, Gable Butte and Gable Mountain, rise above the plateau of the central part of the Hanford Site as shown in Figure 4-3. The Columbia River flows through the northern part of the site and, turning south, forms part of the eastern boundary of the site. The Yakima River is close to the southern boundary of the site. Although no permanent streams cross the area, there are several ephemeral streams on-site and some persistent springs and creeks which disappear into the ground on the Fitzner Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve. Figure (Page 4-2) Figure 4-1. Location of Hanford Site Figure (Page 4-3) Figure 4-2 Counties Containing and Surrounding the Hanford Site Figure (Page 4-4) Figure 4-3. Hanford Site and Environs The Hanford Site is mostly undeveloped with widely spaced clusters of industrial buildings located along the western shoreline of the Columbia River and at several locations in the interior of the site (Figure 4-1). These clusters are interconnected by roads, railroads, and electrical transmission lines. Undeveloped areas comprise about 94 percent of the total site area. The industrial clusters are heavily developed and land uses consist of industrial uses, waste disposal, and transportation facilities. These clusters are completely contained within the Hanford Site, and are relatively remote from urban areas and residential concentrations. The distance has traditionally served two roles. First, the isolation of the clusters from urban populations and residential areas have facilitated security and protected the off-site public from exposure to radiological or chemical hazards. Second, the isolation has mitigated noise, construction activities, and other actions incompatible with residential land uses. This section of the EIS on the affected environment is arranged into eight topics discussed in the following sections: . Section 4.1 Geology, Seismology, and Soils . Section 4.2 Water Resources and Hydrology . Section 4.3 Physical Environment . Section 4.4 Ecology . Section 4.5 Population and Socioeconomics . Section 4.6 Transportation . Section 4.7 Land Use . Section 4.8 Cultural Resources. These topics are presented in the same order for the impact analyses presented in Section 5.
4.1 GEOLOGY, SEISMOLOGY, AND SOILS
The geology, seismology, and soils section presents existing information regarding the geological setting for the Hanford Site, the site's seismological characteristics, including earthquake history, and site soil conditions. Section 4.1.1 describes the regional geological resources. Section 4.1.2 describes the seismologic setting for the site and presents the earthquake history and information regarding the ground acceleration which may be experienced during a seismic event. Section 4.1.3 presents existing information regarding the agricultural and engineering properties of the soils at the site.
4.1.1 GEOLOGIC RESOURCES
The following sections discuss the site geology in terms of: . Topography and Geomorphology . Stratigraphy and Lithology . Mineral Resources . Geologic Processes.
4.1.1.1 Topography and Geomorphology
- The proposed project site is located in a portion of the Pasco Basin, a topographic and structural depression in the southwest corner of the Columbia Basin physiographic subprovince. This subprovince is characterized by generally low-relief hills with incised river drainages. The Pasco Basin is surrounded by linear ridges formed by folds of basalt bedrock. These ridges are the Saddle Mountains to the north, the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Mountain to the south, and Yakima and Umtanum Ridges to the west. The higher ridges of Gable Mountain and Gable Butte, north of the 200 Areas proposed project site, represent the last surface manifestations of the Umtanum Ridge to the west. In the immediate vicinity of the 200 East and 200 West Areas, the Pasco Basin is an area of generally low to near flat relief ranging from 119 meters (390 ft) at Columbia River level to 229 m (750 ft) above mean sea level (MSL) on the 200 Areas Plateau (DOE 1992). The 200 Areas Plateau is a broad flat alluvial terrace.
4.1.1.2 Stratigraphy and Lithology
- The Columbia Basin subprovince is underlain by the Columbia River Basalt Group that consists of a thick sequence of Miocene basalt flows erupted from approximately 17 to 6 million years ago. The Columbia River Basalt Group within the Pasco Basin is greater than 3 km (1.8 mi) in thickness (DOE 1988). Three main basalt formations are shown in Figure 4-4. Up to 185 m (607 ft) of late Miocene to Pliocene bedded sedimentary deposits (known as the Ringold Formation) overlay the basalts. The deposits are thickest in the Cold Creek area south of the proposed site and thin to the north against the higher ridges of Gable Mountain (DOE 1992). The Ringold Formation has been subdivided in the Hanford area into relatively continuous gravelly horizons (Unit A and Unit E), and less permeable, finer-grained sedimentary deposits (lower mud). The base of the Ringold Formation is commonly a coarse-grained sequence (Unit A) that is separated from the overlying Unit E gravels by the lower mud unit (DOE 1992). Above the Ringold Formation in the 200 West Area is a local unit named the Plio-Pleistocene unit by local workers. It is composed of fine sand and silt. This unit is important due to its dense calcium carbonate cement called caliche which tends to inhibit downward percolation of water. The uppermost important sedimentary units in the Pasco Basin are the flood deposits of the Hanford Formation. These deposits range up to 90 m (300 ft) in thickness.
4.1.1.3 Mineral Resources
- Currently no mineral resources other than crushed rock, sand, and gravel are produced from the Pasco Basin. These represent potential economic resources. Deep natural gas production from anticlines in the basalt has been tested by oil exploration companies without commercial success. With respect to the proposed site, there are no indications that the mineral resource potential is different from the remainder of the basin.
4.1.1.4 Geologic Processes
- Geologic processes which alter topography are landslides, floods, volcanic activity, and liquefaction. Each of these processes as they relate to the Hanford Site are described in the following list. Figure (Page 4-8) Figure 4-4. Stratigraphic Units Present in the Pasco Basin . Landslides - Landslides in the Ringold Formation sediments are common in areas where these sediments have been over-steepened by erosion such as the White Bluffs area along the Columbia River. The likelihood of such over-steepening in the proposed project area is low due to the absence of any actively eroding streams. . Floods - The nearest potential flooding source to the proposed site is Cold Creek to the southwest. Studies of the probable maximum flood in Cold Creek area show its effect is limited to the southwestern corner of the 200 West Area only (PNL 1994). Natural flooding on the Columbia River would be restricted to the immediate floodplain of the river. Failure of the upstream dams due either to natural causes or sabotage would not likely affect the proposed site (PNL 1994). . Volcanic Activity - Two types of volcanic activity have affected the Pasco Basin in the past: basaltic flood volcanism and the Cascade style dacitic volcanism to the west. The basaltic volcanism has been quiescent for the past 8 million years and appears unlikely to resume due to changes in the plate tectonic regime of the region. The only effect of increased Cascade volcanism to the site would be from ashfall, such as the ashfall from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. . Liquefaction - Liquefaction is not an issue at the proposed site due to the deep water table.
4.1.2 SEISMOLOGY
This section discusses geological characteristics of the Hanford area which would generate ground motion due to seismic events. This section examines the tectonic setting, earthquake history, earthquake ground motion, and geologic hazards.
4.1.2.1 Tectonic Setting
- The characterization of the tectonic setting of
the region in which the Hanford Site is located includes the following main
tectonic terranes and seismic sources.
. Major Tectonic Terranes - The Pacific Northwest and adjacent
continental margin are divided into four major tectonic terranes
reflecting the regional tectonic setting of a convergent plate margin.
These tectonic terranes are the continental margin, the fore-arc
terrane, the volcanic-arc terrane, and the back-arc terrane shown in
Figure 4-5. The dynamic interaction between the two major converging
plates, Juan de Fuca and the North American, define the characteristic
structure and location of these four terranes with respect to plate
geometry and configuration. The continental margin is the western-most
of the four major tectonic terranes of the North American Plate and
marks the sub-oceanic expression of the plate boundary the Cascadia
Subduction Zone (CSZ) shown in Figure 4-6.
The back-arc terrane of Washington occurs east of the Cascade
Mountains, and is underlain primarily by Jurassic to early Miocene
metamorphic and volcanic rocks which represent the accreted terranes of
past collisions and continental deposits eroded from them (Reidel et
al. 1989). Overlying a portion of this terrane is the Columbia Basalt
Plateau, a region of thick thoelitic basalt lava flows. The Hanford
Site and proposed project sites lie within a subprovince of this basalt
province known as the Yakima Fold Belt (RHO 1979).
The Yakima Fold Belt is characterized by narrow, linear anticlinal
ridges of basalt and broad synclinal basins with an east to east-
southeast orientation. The folds have wave lengths of between 5 and
32 km (3 and 20 mi), amplitudes of less than 1 km (0.6 mi) and are
commonly steeper on the northern limb (DOE 1992). The faults in the
subprovince appear to be associated with the folding and are found on
the flanks of the folds. The folds extend eastward up to 113 km
(70 mi) from the Cascade Range Province and were growing during the
eruption and emplacement of the basalt and probably continue to grow at
the present time (DOE 1988). In general, the structures do not affect
the sediments that overlie the basalt.
. Seismic Sources - Earthquakes are the result of sudden releases of
built-up stress within the tectonic plates that comprise the earth's
surface. The stresses accumulate from friction between the plates as
they are forced past one another. Movement can occur between plates,
as in subduction zones, or within plates.
The following seismic sources in the region could impact the design and
performance of any new facilities or waste management systems.
Figure (Page 4-11)
Figure 4-5. Tectonic Terranes and Provinces of the Pacific Northwest
Figure (Page 4-12)
Figure 4-6. Geometry of Tectonic Plates in the Pacific Northwest
- Shallow Structures in the Yakima Fold Belt or Columbia River
Basalts - The orientation of the structural fabric of the Yakima
Fold Belt suggests an origin by north-south compressional forces
that operated from middle Miocene age to present. Compression
during the extrusion of the lavas resulted in the folds propagating
upwards through succeeding flows, folding the latest flow, and
faulting the underlying flows (Reidel et al. 1989). The Hooper and
Convey Model (Reidel et al.) suggests that the compression is the
result of oblique subduction along the CSZ and back-arc spreading
associated with the basin and range crustal extension. The
observable evidence suggests that the maximum compressive stress is
horizontal and transmits deformation in a brittle manner only in
the Columbia River Basalts (Geomatrix 1993). It is believed that
underlying pre-basalt rocks deform in a ductile fashion and thus do
not generate seismic activity. One of most active areas of shallow
earthquake activity is along the Saddle Mountains anticline, north
of the Hanford Site (RHO, 1979).
- Deep, Basement Structures - Two geologic models are currently used
to explain the tectonic history of the crystalline basement
underlying the Columbia Plateau: the failed rift model and the
basement block model. Neither of these adequately explains the
pattern of seismicity recorded in the region. In response to this
discrepancy, the most recent seismic hazard analysis of the Hanford
Site (Geomatrix 1993) uses an areal seismic model to assess seismic
risk. This model, known as the random basement model, assumes that
seismic activity occurs more or less randomly in the crust.
- Cascadia Subduction Zone - The source of seismic activity in the
region that could potentially impact the new tanks is the CSZ,
which lies off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Two separate
sources of seismic activity exist within this zone: an intraplate
source where seismic events occur within the subducted Juan de Fuca
oceanic plate, and an interplate source where seismic events occur
at the interface of the Juan de Fuca and the North American plates.
Of the two, the interplate source has the highest probability of
generating earthquakes of a magnitude capable of causing ground
motion at the proposed site that could impact the proposed
facilities (Geomatrix 1993).
4.1.2.2 Earthquake History
- The Hanford Site lies in an area of relatively low seismic activity. Between 1870 and 1980, only five earthquakes occurred in the Columbia Plateau region that had Modified Mercalli Intensities (MMI) of VI or greater, and all these events occurred prior to 1937. The largest event was the July 16, 1936 Milton-Freewater, Oregon earthquake when the MMI equalled VII and the surface wave magnitude (Ms) equalled 5.8 (DOE 1988). The location of this earthquake and its association with known geologic structures are uncertain (DOE 1988). Originally, the epicenter of this event was located at 45y50'N and 118y18'W near Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Woodward-Clyde Consultants (WHC 1994) relocated the epicenter approximately 22 minutes latitude further north, which places it about 100 km (62 mi) southeast of the Hanford Site. Seismicity within the Columbia Plateau can be segregated into three depth zones: 0 to 4 km (0 to 2.5 mi); 4 to 8 km (2.5 to 5 mi); and deeper than 8 km (5 mi). Approximately 70 to 80 percent of this activity occurs in the 0 to 4 km (0 to 2.5 mi) zone, and 90 percent of it occurs in the first two zones (DOE 1988). Most of the earthquakes in the central Columbia Plateau are north or northeast of the Columbia River. Most of the earthquakes in the shallowest zone occur as swarms, which are not associated with mapped faults.
4.1.2.3 Earthquake Ground Motion
- The seismic design of new equipment or facilities under the proposed alternatives or the seismic upgrade of existing facilities would follow applicable DOE guidelines, stipulated in DOE Order 6430.1A and its primary reference Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory/ University of California Research Lab (LLNL/UCRL)-1-5910 (WHC 1994). These documents require that site earthquake ground motions be computed using probabilistic methods. Two site-specific studies of this type have been performed for the Hanford Site (WCC 1989, Geomatrix 1993). The horizontal peak ground accelerations (PGA) and their associated annual probabilities of being exceeded were estimated for several locations within the Hanford Site. The results for the 200 East and West Areas, where the proposed RCSTS or NTF would be located, are summarized in Table 4-1.
Annual Probability of Exceedance
200 Area
Location Reference
2 x 10-3 1 x 10-3 2 x 10-4 1 x 10-4
East WCC 1989 - 0.07 g 0.18 g 0.25 g
Geomatrix 1993 0.09 ga 0.13 g 0.28 g 0.37 g
West WCC 1989 - 0.07 g 0.19 g 0.26 g
Geomatrix 1993 0.10 g 0.14 g 0.30 g 0.39 g
ag = gravity
Each reference reports similar PGA values for the 200 East and West Areas, but
the differences in PGA values reported by both references for a particular
annual probability vary between factors of approximately 1.5 to 1.9.
4.1.2.4 Geologic Hazards
- Three major structures of the Yakima Fold Belt are found within the Hanford Site: the Umtanum Ridge-Gable Mountain Structure, the Yakima Ridge Structure, and the Rattlesnake Hills Structure (Figure 4-7). Each is composed of an asymmetrical anticline over-steepened to the north and with associated faults along their flanks. Two types of faults associated with the folds have been identified. Thrust faults occur on the northern, over- steepened limbs of the folds. These faults are sympathetic to the folds with more or less the same strike as the fold axes. Cross faults with a north- northwest trend cut the linear folds into separate segments and show a right lateral strike-slip movement (Reidel et al. 1989). Most known faults within the Hanford area are associated with anticlinal fold axes, are thrust or reverse faults. Normal faults exist, and were probably formed concurrently with the folding. Existing known faults within the Hanford area include wrench (strike-slip) faults as long as 3 km (1.9 mi) on Gable Mountain and the Rattlesnake-Wallula Alignment, which has been interpreted as a right-lateral strike-slip fault. The faults in Central Gable Mountain are considered capable faults by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) criteria (10 CFR 100) in that they have slightly displaced the Hanford Formation gravels, but their relatively short lengths give them low seismic potential. No seismicity associated with the Gable Mountain Fault has been observed. The Rattlesnake- Wallula Alignment is interpreted to be capable faults by the NRC (Supply System 1981). Figure (Page 4-16) Figure 4-7. Anticlines in Vicinity of Hanford Site
4.1.3 SOILS
The surface and near-surface soil shown in Figure 4-8 in the Hanford 200 East
and West Areas, as well as the area of the proposed RCSTS alignment, consists
of Rupert Sand (Rp), Burbank Loamy Sand (Ba), and Ephrata Sandy Loam (El). An
additional soil unit, Hezel Sand (He), is also present on the western boundary
of the 200 West Area. A description of each of these soil types follows (PNL
1994).
. Rupert Sand - This soil type consists of coarse sand and is also known
as the Quincy Sand. This soil covers the majority of the 200 West Area
and approximately one-half of the 200 East Area.
. Burbank Loamy Sand - This coarse-textured sand covers approximately
one-third of the 200 West Area on the northeast and east, a relatively
small portion of the 200 East Area, and the majority of the area
between the 200 West and East Areas.
. Ephrata Sandy Loam - This medium-textured soil covers the northern
portion of the 200 East Area.
. Hezel Sand - This soil is similar to Rp sand and covers a portion of
the area on and immediately west of the boundary of the 200 West Area.
There are currently no identified prime or unique farmlands at the Hanford
Site because of inadequate precipitation and the absence of irrigation. There
are some soil types present that, if properly irrigated, could be designated
as prime or unique (Bolick 1994).
Figure (Page 4-18)
Figure 4-8. Soil Map of the hanford Site
4.2 WATER RESOURCES AND HYDROLOGY
The baseline conditions for water resources and hydrology encompass surface water, the vadose zone, and groundwater. Each of these hydrological regimes may be affected by the alternatives and each regime would be affected differently. The baseline environment provides a description of the existing environment, as it has already been affected by actions at the Hanford Site.
4.2.1 SURFACE WATER
The following description of surface water resources concerns surface water occurrence and characteristics, floodplains and runoff, and water quality.
4.2.1.1 Occurrence and Characteristics
- There is one naturally occurring lake on the Hanford Site, Westlake, which is located about 3 km (2 mi) north of the 200 East Area and approximately 8 km (5 mi) northeast of the 200 West Area, as shown in Figure 4-9. The lake is situated in a topographically low- lying area, and is sustained by groundwater inflow resulting from intersection with the groundwater table. Westlake was considered to be an ephemeral lake before operations began at the Hanford Site, with water level fluctuations occurring in response to groundwater level fluctuations. However, due to artificial recharge from waste water disposal at the site, water levels in the lake have become more stable. Two ephemeral creeks, Cold Creek and its tributary Dry Creek, traverse the uplands of the Hanford Site southwest and south of the 200 East and West Areas. The confluence of the two creeks are 5 km (3 mi) southwest of the 200 West Area and 7.2 km (4.5 mi) southwest of the 200 East Area. These creeks drain southeasterly toward the horn of the Yakima River, located south of the Hanford Site. Surface runoff from the uplands in and west of the Hanford Site is small; in most years, measurable flow occurs only during brief periods and in only two places, upper Cold Creek Valley and in upper Dry Creek Valley. This surface runoff either infiltrates into the valley floor or evaporates. These ephemeral creeks are not sustained by groundwater baseflow during any part of the year, since the depth to groundwater is over 46 m (150 ft) near the intersection of these creeks. The Columbia River is 16 to 24 km (10 to 15 mi) east of and downgradient from the 200 Areas and approximately 11 km (7 mi) toward the north (Figure 4-9). The river forms part of the eastern boundary of the Hanford Site and comprises the base level and receiving water for groundwater and surface water in the region. Figure (Page 4-20) Figure 4-9. Surface Water Features of the hanford Site
4.2.1.2 Floodplains and Runoff
- There are no floodplains in the 200 East and West Areas. Floods in Cold and Dry Creeks have occurred historically; however, there have not been any flood events or evidence of flooding in these creeks reaching the 200 East and West Areas before infiltrating into pervious sediments. During periods of unusually rapid snowmelt or heavy rainfall, surface runoff extends beyond Rattlesnake Springs in the upper part of Dry Creek and was believed to be approximately 6 m3/s [200 cubic feet per second (ft3/s)] during a brief period during March 1952 (GSP 1972). However, this runoff quickly infiltrated into the alluvial sediments of Cold Creek Valley. Natural runoff generated on-site or from off-site upgradient sources is not known to occur in the 200 East and West Areas. Measurable runoff occurs during brief periods in two locations, Cold Creek Valley and Dry Creek Valley west and southwest of the 200 West Area (GSP 1972). The total amount of annual recharge to the unconfined aquifer from these areas is estimated to be 555,000 m3 (450 acre ft) that generally occurs east of the Hanford Site (GSP 1972).
4.2.1.3 Water Quality
- Effluents from 200 Area activities normally contain low levels of radionuclides. These effluents include cooling water, steam condensates, process condensates, and waste water from laboratories and chemical sewers (PNL 1995). Historically, these effluents were released to the ground via multiple discharge points in the 200 Areas. Since June 1995, most of these streams have been diverted to the Treated Effluent Disposal Facility (TEDF) east of the 200 East Area. Here effluents are released to the ground through a permitted discharge point. Surface water in Westlake reflects water quality in the groundwater which feeds the lake. Identified contaminant plumes in the groundwater intersect the lake (DOE 1992). Water quality in the ephemeral creeks are not known to be affected by site activities. Water quality in the Columbia River has been monitored and published since 1973 (PNL 1993). Low levels of radionuclides have been detected along the Hanford Reach adjacent to the Hanford Site, but are well below concentration guidelines established by the DOE and EPA drinking water standards (PNL 1993). Potential nonradiological contaminants measured in the river were either undetected or at concentrations below drinking water standards.
4.2.2 VADOSE ZONE
The vadose zone extends from the ground surface to the top of the groundwater. Vadose zone characteristics determine the rate, extent, and direction of liquid flow downward from the surface. Vadose zone characteristics discussed in the following sections are infiltration, perched water, and soil moisture.
4.2.2.1 Infiltration
- Recharge to the unconfined aquifer is primarily from artificial sources. Natural recharge occurs chiefly from precipitation since there are no natural surface water bodies in the 200 East and West Areas. Average annual precipitation in the 200 East and West Areas is approximately 16 cm (6.3 in). Estimates of evapotranspiration from precipitation range from 38 to 99 percent (PNL 1987) and lysimeter data in the 200 East Area indicate that no recharge occurred at a depth of 4.9 m (16 ft) during a 16-year period (PNL 1990). However, other studies indicated that approximately 19 million L (5 million gal per year) of natural recharge may occur in the 200 East Area (DOE 1992). The total natural recharge in the 200 West Area is estimated to be approximately 8.3 million L (2.2 million gal) per year (DOE 1993). This is based upon a recharge rate of 0.1 cm (0.04 in) per year through fine-textured soil with deep rooted vegetation, common to the 200 East and West Areas. These natural recharge values in the 200 West Area are approximately equal to volumes disposed of by artificial sources. Currently, the active artificial recharge in, and adjacent to, the 200 Areas is through permitted facilities only, which include the TEDF, several septic tanks, drain fields, and trench drains.
4.2.2.2 Perched Water
- Caliche layers do not occur in the 200 East Area (DOE 1992) and perched groundwater is not expected to occur. Local perched horizons are possible in the silt paleosols within the Hanford Formation (WHC 1992b). Perched water has been reported in the vicinity of B Pond within the lower part of the Hanford Formation. Perched water may occur in the 200 West Area within the vadose zone upon the caliche layer approximately 55 m (180 ft) beneath the site. Measured hydraulic conductivities of this unit range from 9 x 10-4 to 9 x 10-2 m (0.003 to 0.3 ft per day) (DOE 1993).
4.2.2.3 Soil Moisture
- Soils are likely to be close to saturation and would not hold significant amounts of additional liquid in areas continuing to receive artificial recharge, or in areas of past artificial recharge. As a result of artificial recharge, ground-water mounds have developed beneath these areas.
4.2.3 GROUNDWATER
The 200 East and West Areas lie near the middle of the Pasco Structural Basin within the Columbia Plateau. This area is within the Yakima Fold Belt and is located on the southern flank of the Gable Mountain Anticline near the axial trace of the Cold Creek Syncline. Much of the 200 East and West Areas are located upon the 200 Area Plateau. The following sections characterize ground-water features of the Hanford Site in greater detail.
4.2.3.1 Hydrogeologic Setting
- Groundwater occurs over 91 m (300 ft) in depth at an elevation (above seal level) of 122 m (400 ft) in the vicinity of the 200 East Area (see Figure 4-10). Groundwater occurs approximately 72 m (235 ft) in depth at an elevation of 139 m (455 ft) in the vicinity of the proposed NTF site in the 200 West Area (see Figure 4-11). Figure 4-12 shows the most recent ground-water table contour map for 1992 (DOE 1992) for the Hanford Site. Regionally, the water table occurs near the contact between the Hanford Formation and the underlying Ringold Formation. Across the 200 East and West Areas, the regional ground-water flow is toward the north, east, and southeast. Ground-water discharge occurs locally in Westlake. Regional ground-water discharge occurs along the course of the Columbia River, which is nearly 11 km (7 mi) north of the 200 West Area and approximately 11 km (7 mi) northwest of the 200 East Area. Figure (Page 4-24) Figure 4-10. Map of the Vadose Zone in the 200 East Area Figure (Page 4-25) Figure 4-11. Map of the Vadose Zone in the 200 West Area Figure (Page 4-26) Figure 4-12. Hanford Site Water Table Map Natural recharge to groundwater beneath the 200 East and West Areas occurs primarily in upland areas west of the Hanford Site, although recharge from direct precipitation has been estimated to be approximately 0.1 cm (0.04 in per year). Historically, artificial recharge contributed an order of magnitude more recharge than natural discharge. Because natural recharge on the site is low and recharge to the regional aquifer occurs primarily in upland locations at considerable distances from the site, seasonal water table fluctuations are not large. This is evidenced by the similarity in water table contours and elevations observed as part of the routine monitoring.
4.2.3.2 Aquifer Characterization
- Discussion of aquifer characterizations
for the 200 East and West Areas follows.
. 200 East Area - Depth to groundwater in the 200 East Area ranges from
97 m (317 ft) in the southeast to 37 m (123 ft) in the vicinity of the
216-B-3C Pond (B Pond mound) located approximately 5 km (3 mi) east of
the proposed NTF sites (DOE 1992). Groundwater occurs under unconfined
conditions within the Ringold Unit A approximately 96 m (315 ft) in
depth near the proposed project site. The saturated section above
basalt is approximately 34 m (112 ft) in thickness (WHC 1992b).
Erosional windows occur in the basalt north of the 200 East Area that
allow communication between the regionally-confined Rattlesnake Ridge
interbed below the basalt and the unconfined aquifer of the Hanford
Formation.
The average groundwater gradient across the 200 East Area is 0.001; in
the vicinity of the proposed NTF sites, the gradient is virtually flat.
An 0.007 gradient is associated with the western slope of the B Pond
mound, approximately 5 km (3 mi) east of the proposed NTF sites.
Hydraulic conductivities of the unconfined aquifer near the proposed
project sites range from 152 to 305 m (500 to 1,000 ft per day) (DOE
1992).
. 200 West Area - Groundwater occurs in the 200 West Area within the
Ringold Formation primarily under unconfined conditions, approximately
72 m (235 ft) in depth beneath the proposed project site in the 200
West Area (DOE 1993). The saturated section is approximately 107 m
(350 ft) thick above the Elephant Mountain Basalt. This includes
approximately 23 m (75 ft) of Unit A Gravels under confined and semi-
confined conditions.
Ground-water flows in the direction of the ground-water hydraulic
gradient (see Figure 4-12) toward the north, east, and southeast with
an approximate gradient of 0.003 toward the east and southeast (DOE
1994). Hydraulic conductivities measured in the 200 West Area in the
Ringold Unit E aquifer range from approximately 1.8 x 10-2 to 61 m (0.06
to 200) ft per day. Hydraulic conductivities range from 0.5 to 1.2 m
(1.7 to 4 ft) per day in the semi-confined to confined Ringold Unit A
Gravels (DOE 1994).
Hydraulic conductivities measured in the uppermost part of the Ringold
Unit E aquifer in the vicinity of the proposed NTF site range from
0.3 m (1 ft) per day from Well 299-W19-32, to 27 m (90 ft per day) from
Well 299-W23-13. Well 299-W19-32 is located approximately 430 m (1,400
ft) to the west of the proposed project site and Well 299-W23-13 is
located approximately 610 m (2,000 ft) to the southwest.
Transmissivities range from 2 m2 (20 ft2) per day in Well 299-19-32 to
167 m2 (1,800 ft2) per day in Well 299-W23-13 (DOE 1993).
A discontinuous layer of silt and sand cemented by calcium carbonate
(caliche - Plio-Pleistocene Unit) occurs locally nearly 55 m (180 ft)
in depth in the 200 West Area. This unit provides for perched water
conditions and is approximately 9-m (30-ft) thick in the vicinity of
the proposed project site (DOE 1993).
4.2.3.3 Ground-water Flow
- This section examines the physical and chemical
characteristics of ground-water flow in the 200 East and West Areas.
. 200 East Area - Groundwater flow beneath the 200 East Area is primarily
influenced by changes in lithology as it flows east from the 200 West
Area toward the 200 East Area out of the Ringold Unit E gravels. Flow
is also influenced by the ground-water mound associated with the B Pond
approximately 5 km (3 mi) east of the proposed NTF sites. Ground-water
gradients abruptly flatten approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi) west of the
proposed NTF sites (DOE 1992) and abruptly increase near the B Pond
mound. Ground-water flow is deflected by the mound north through Gable
Gap and toward the southeast.
Ground-water gradients in the vicinity of the proposed tank site
flatten toward the north, east, and southeast beyond the 200 West Area
(DOE 1993). The hydraulic gradient on the eastern slope of the mound
in the vicinity of the proposed project site is approximately 0.003 and
ground-water velocity ranges from 0.02 to 1.4 m (0.065 to 4.6 ft per
day) (DOE 1993). Downward vertical gradients exist in the vicinity of
the proposed NTF site between the unconfined aquifer and the
Rattlesnake Ridge Interbed below the Elephant Mountain Basalt. This
may provide the potential for ground-water flow into the confined
aquifer systems within the basalt section. However, there is no
evidence of erosional windows through the basalt near the axis of the
Cold Creek Syncline. Basalt in the vicinity of the proposed project
site is over 18-m (60-ft) thick (DOE 1993).
. 200 West Area - The proposed NTF site in the 200 West Area is located
above a ground-water mound caused by artificial recharge during the
operational period of the U Plant Area, especially the 216-U-10 Pond.
Ground-water elevations have declined significantly since the 216-U-10
Pond was decommissioned in the fall of 1984. Significant declines of
ground-water elevations have been recorded within seven wells in the U
Plant Area since 1984. Hydrographs of two wells (299-W19-1 and 299-
W19-10) west of the proposed NTF site indicate that ground-water
elevations have declined approximately 5 m (15 ft) since the 216-U-10
Pond was decommissioned (DOE 1993). The proposed NTF site is located
on the eastern slope of the mound. The regional flow direction, from
east to west, has been greatly affected by artificial discharges from
waste management units throughout the 200 West Area. The mound seems
to have shifted slightly, as it continues to dissipate beneath the 216-
U-10 Pond, toward the northeast, in response to past discharges beneath
the 216-U-14 Ditch and the 216-Z-20 Crib.
Erosional windows exist through the basalt into the regionally confined
Rattlesnake Ridge Interbed north of the 200 East Area in the vicinity
of Gable Gap. Aquifer communication exists between the unconfined
Hanford Formation and the regionally confined system in this area.
Well data indicates that a slight upwardly directed vertical gradient
occurs into the unconfined system (DOE 1992); which should minimize the
potential of contaminating the regionally-confined system (RHO 1984).
4.2.3.4 Ground-water Contamination
- Ground-water contamination by both
radionuclide and nonradionuclide contaminants has been identified on the
Hanford Site. Remedial strategies for the site have been developed or are
being developed to contain the contaminants to prevent their migration off-
site. There has been no identified vertical migration of contaminants to
deeper aquifers beneath the site due to intervening low-permeability strata
and upward groundwater gradients except where localized erosional windows
through basalt provide for aquifer communication. Discussion of ground-water
contamination for the 200 East and West Areas follows.
. 200 East Area - Unconfined groundwater beneath the 200 East Area
contains 13 different contaminants (DOE 1992) that have been mapped as
plumes. These plumes are: arsenic, chromium, cyanide, nitrate, gross
alpha, gross beta, tritium, 60cobalt (Co), 90strontium (Sr), 99technecium
(Tc), 129iodine (I), 137cesium (Cs), and 239, 240Pu. In general, these
plumes are located in the east-southeast and northwest portion of the
200 East Area. Gross alpha and gross beta represent comprehensive
measurements of alpha and beta activity, respectively, without
differentiating between specific radionuclides.
Low concentrations of tritium and 129I have been reported in confined
groundwaters where erosional windows through basalt bedrock, north of
the 200 Area, provide communication between the uppermost confined
aquifer and the unconfined aquifer (PNL 1992a).
. 200 West Area - Thirteen overlapping contaminant plumes are located
within the unconfined gravels of Ringold Unit E: 99Tc, U, nitrate,
carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, trichloroethylene, 129I, gross alpha,
gross beta, tritium, arsenic, chromium, and fluoride (DOE 1994). The
proposed project site is within the boundaries of all except the
chromium, chloroform, trichloroethylene, fluoride, and arsenic plumes.
Plumes of Tc, U, 129I, gross alpha, and gross beta are associated with
the U Plant area.
4.2.3.5 Ground-water Uses
- Groundwater is not normally used in the 200 East and West Areas. Water for drinking and emergency use and facilities process water comes from the Columbia River. Regionally, groundwater is used for irrigation and domestic water supply; however, there are no domestic (potable) or irrigation production wells downgradient of the Hanford Site or the 200 East and West Areas. On the Hanford Site, water supply wells are located at the Yakima Barricade approximately 13 km (8 mi) west of the 200 East Area, the Fast Flux Test Facility in the 400 Area approximately 16 km (10 mi) southeast, and at the Hanford Safety Patrol training Academy approximately 26 km (16 mi) southeast. Three wells, used for emergency cooling water, are located near B Plant in the 200 East Area.
4.3 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Aspects of the physical environment described in this section are: . Meteorology, Climatology, and Air Quality . Radiation . Sound Levels and Noise.
4.3.1 METEOROLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY, AND AIR QUALITY
The Hanford Site is located in a semiarid region of southeastern Washington State. The Cascade Range shown in Figure 4-13 greatly influence the climate of the Hanford Site by their rain shadow effect. This range also serves as a source of cold air drainage, which has a considerable effect on the wind regime on the Hanford Site. Figure (Page 4-32) Figure 4-13. Mountain Ranges Surrounding the Hanford Site Climatological data are available for the Hanford Meteorological Station (HMS), which is located between the 200 East and West Areas. Data have been collected at this location since 1945. Temperature and precipitation data are also available from nearby locations for 1912 through 1943. Data from the HMS are representative of the general climatic conditions for the region and describe the specific climate of the 200 Area Plateau. The information used in this section has been excerpted from the most current Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act Characterization (PNL 1994). Because the data are updated annually, some numbers reported in this Final EIS are different than those in the Draft EIS. The following sections characterize existing wind, temperature and humidity, precipitation, fog and visibility, severe weather, atmospheric dispersion, and air quality conditions.
4.3.1.1 Wind
- Wind instruments on twenty-four 9.1-m (29.9-ft) towers distributed on and around the Hanford Site provide supplementary data for defining wind patterns. Locations of these towers are shown in Figure 4-14. Figure 4-15 shows that prevailing wind directions on the 200 Area Plateau are from the northwest in all months of the year. Southwesterly winds are secondary. Summaries of wind direction indicate that winds from the northwest quadrant occur most often during the winter and summer. During the spring and fall, the frequency of southwesterly winds increases with a cor- responding decrease in northwest flow. Winds blowing from other directions, such as northeast, display minimal monthly variations. Monthly average wind speeds are lowest during the winter months, averaging 10 to 11 kmph (6 to 7 mph), and highest during the summer, averaging 14 to 16 kmph (9 to 10 mph). Wind speeds that are well above average are usually associated with southwesterly winds. However, the summertime drainage winds are generally northwesterly and occasionally reach 50 kmph (30 mph). These winds are most prevalent over the northern portion of the Hanford Site.
4.3.1.2 Temperature and Humidity
- Ranges of daily maximum and minimum temperatures vary from normal maxima of 2y Celius (C) [(36y Farenheit (F)] in early January to 35y C (95y F) in late July. There are, on the aver- age, Figure (Page 4-34) Figure 4-14. Hanford Site Wind Monitoring Network Figure (Page 4-35) Figure 4-15. Wind Directions for the hanford Site, 1979-1988 51 days during the summer months with maximum temperatures greater than or equal to 32y C (90y F) and 12 days with maximum greater than or equal to 38y C (100y F). From mid-November through mid-March, minimum temperatures average less than or equal to 0y C (32y F) with the minimum temperatures in early January averaging -6y C (21y F). The winter months have an average of 3 days with minimum temperatures less than or equal to -18y C (-0.4y F). Only about half the winters experience such temperatures. The record maximum temperature is 45y C (113y F) and the record minimum temperature is -31y C (-24y F). The annual average relative humidity at the HMS is 54 percent. It is highest during the winter months, averaging about 75 percent, and lowest during the summer, averaging about 35 percent.
4.3.1.3 Precipitation
- Average annual precipitation at the HMS is 16 cm (6.3 in). Most of the precipitation occurs during the winter with more than half of the annual amount occurring in November through February. Days with greater than 1.3 cm (0.5 in) precipitation occur less than 1 percent of the year. Winter monthly average snowfall ranges from 0.8 cm (0.32 in) in March to 14.5 cm (5.7 in) in December. Snowfall accounts for about 38 percent of all precipitation in December through February.
4.3.1.4 Fog and Visibility
- Fog has been recorded during every month of the year at the HMS. Ninety-five percent of the occurrences are in November through February, with less than 1 percent in April through September. The number of days with fog is presented in Table 4-2.Number of Days With Fog by Season
Category Total Winter Spring Summer Autumn Total Fog 32 2 y1/2 12 46 Dense fog 17 1 y1/2 6 24 Besides fog, other phenomena restricting visibility to less than or equal to 9.6 km (6 mi) include dust, blowing dust, and smoke from field burning. There are few such days of restricted visibility; an average of 5 days per year have dust or blowing dust and less than one day per year has reduced visibility from smoke.
4.3.1.5 Severe Weather
- High winds are associated with thunderstorms. The average occurrence of thunderstorms is 10 per year. They are most frequent during the summer; however, they have occurred in every month. The average winds during thunderstorms do not come from any specific direction. Estimates of the extreme winds, based on peak gusts observed from 1945 through 1980, are shown in Table 4-3 (PNL 1994).
Estimates of Extreme Winds at the Hanford Site
Peak Gusts, km/h a
Return 15.2 m (50 ft) 61 m (200 ft)
Period, yr Above Ground Above Ground
2 97 109
10 114 129
100 137 151
1,000 159 175
a1 kmph = 0.62 mph
Tornadoes are infrequent and generally small in the northwest portion of the
United States. The Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Characterization (PNL 1994) lists no violent tornadoes for the region
surrounding the Hanford Site. The HMS climatological summary and the National
Severe Storms Forecast Center database list 22 separate tornadoes within
161 km (100 mi) of the Hanford Site from 1916 through August 1982 (PNL 1994).
Two additional tornadoes have been reported since August 1982. The estimated
probability of a tornado striking a point at the Hanford Site is 9.6 x 10-6
per year (PNL 1994).
4.3.1.6 Atmospheric Dispersion
- Atmospheric dispersion is a function of wind speed, duration and direction of wind, atmospheric stability, and mixing depth. Dispersion conditions are generally good if winds are moder- ate to strong, the atmosphere is of neutral or unstable stratification, and there is a deep mixing layer. Good dispersion conditions associated with neutral and unstable stratification exist about 57 percent of the time during the summer. Less favorable dispersion conditions may occur when the wind speed is light and the mixing layer is shallow. These conditions are most common during the winter when moderately to extremely stable stratification exists about 66 percent of the time. Less favorable conditions also occur periodically for surface and low-level releases in all seasons from about sunset to about an hour after sunrise as a result of ground-based temperature inversions and shallow mixing layers. Mixing-layer thicknesses have been estimated at the HMS using remote sensors. These variations in mixing layer are summarized in Table 4-4.Frequency of Mixing-Layer Thickness by Season and Time of Day
Winter (%) Summer (%)
Mixing Layer, m (ft)
Night Day Night Day
250 (820) 65.7 35.0 48.5 1.2
<250-500 (820-1,641) 24.7 39.8 37.1 9.0
>500 (1,641) 9.6 25.2 14.4 89.9
Occasionally, there are extended periods of poor dispersion conditions
associated with stagnant air in stationary high-pressure systems that occur
primarily during the winter months. The Hanford Site National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization (PNL 1994) estimated that the probability
of poor dispersion conditions (inversion periods) extending more than 12 hours
varies from a low of about 10 percent in May and June to a high of about 64
percent in September and October.
4.3.1.7 Air Quality
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been set by EPA, as mandated in the 1970 Clean Air Act (CAA). Ambient air is that portion of the atmosphere, external to buildings, to which the general public has access. The standards define levels of air quality that are necessary, with an adequate margin of safety, to protect the public health (primary standards) and the public welfare (secondary standards). Standards exist for sulfur oxides [measured as sulfur dioxide (SO2)], nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), fine particulates (PM10), lead, and ozone. The standards specify the maximum pollutant concentrations and frequencies of occurrence that are allowed for specific averaging periods from one hour to one year, depending on the pollutant. For clean areas, the EPA has established the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program to protect existing ambient air quality while allowing a margin for future growth. The Hanford Site operates under a PSD permit issued by the EPA in 1980. The permit provides specific limits for emissions of oxides of nitrogen from the PUREX and U Plants. State and local governments can impose standards for ambient air qual- ity that are stricter than the national standards. Washington State has established more stringent standards for SO2 and total suspended particulate (TSP). In addition, Washington State has established emission standards for PM10, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and toxic air pollutants. At the local level, Benton County Clear Air Authority can establish more stringent air standards, but has not done so. Table 4-5 summarizes the relevant air quality standards (Federal and state standards). Emission inventories for permitted pollution sources in Benton County are routinely compiled by the Benton County Clean Air Authority. Table 4-6 lists the annual emission rates for stationary sources within the Hanford Site that have been reported to Ecology by DOE. Comparable on-site monitoring data were obtained in 1990 and reported in the Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization (PNL 1992b). The only on-site air quality monitoring conducted during this year was for NOx, for which the primary source is the PUREX Plant. At three locations within the Hanford Site, NOx were sampled with a bubbler assembly operated to collect 24-hour integrated samples. The results of the sampling are in Table 4-7. The highest annual average concentration was less than 0.006 ppm, well below the applicable Federal and Washington State annual ambient standard of 0.05 ppm. On-site monitoring of TSP was discontinued in early 1988 when the Basalt Waste Isolation Project (BWIP), for which those measurements were required, was concluded.
Ambient Air Quality Standards
Federal
Washington
Pollutant State
Primary Secondary
TSP
Annual geometric mean NS NS 60 -g/m3
24-hr average NS NS 150 -g/m3
PM10 (fine particulates)
Annual arithmetic mean 50 -g/m3 50 -g/m3 50 -g/m3
24-hr average 150 -g/m3 150 -g/m3 150 -g/m3
SO2
Annual average 0.03 ppm NS 0.02 ppm
24-hr average 0.14 ppm NS 0.10 ppm
3-hr average NS 0.50 ppm NS
1-hr average NS NS 0.40 ppma
CO
8-hr average 9 ppm 9 ppm 9 ppm
1-hr average 35 ppm 35 ppm 35 ppm
Ozone
1-hr averageb 0.12 ppm 0.12 ppm 0.12 ppm
NO2
Annual average 0.05 ppm 0.05 ppm 0.05 ppm
Lead
Quarterly average 1.5 -g/m3 1.5 -g/m3 1.5 -g/m3
Source: PNL 1994
a0.25 ppm not to be exceeded more than two times in any 7 consecutive
days.
bNot to be exceeded more than 1 day per calendar year.
ppm = parts per million
-g/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter (1-g/m3 = 6.2 x 10-11 lb/ft3)
NS = no standard
Emission Rates for Stationary Emission Sources Within the Hanford Site for 1992
Operation TSP PM10 SO2 NOx VOC CO
Source (h/yr) (t/yr) (t/yr) (t/yr) (t/yr) (t/yr) (t/yr)
300 Area Temp. Boiler 6,384 9 8 110 22 0 2
300 Area Boiler #3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 Area Boiler #4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 Area Boiler #5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300 Area Boiler #6 8,760 4 3 48 10 0 1
200 East Boiler 8,760 3 1 200 58 1 49
200 West Boiler 8,760 4 1 260 75 1 62
200 East, 200 West Fugitive Coal 8,760 107 54 0 0 0 0
100-N Boiler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
100-N Boiler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
300-Area Incinerator 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1100-Area Boiler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1100-Area Boiler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
200-E Fugitive Emissions 8,760 1 0 0 0 0 0
200-E Area Backup Boiler 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Res. Dis. Area Temp. Boiler 8,760 9 8 120 24 0 2
Source: PNL 1994.
h/yr = hour per year
t/yr = tons per year
Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations in the Hanford Environs for 1990
Samples Less Maximum
Maximum Number of Annual Average,a Than Detection 24 hr,
Locations 24-hr Samples ppmv NO2 (%) Limit, (%)b ppmv
100-B 236 <0.005 . 6 32.6 0.02-
1
200-West 278 <0.005 . 8 29.1 0.034
Army barracks 282 <0.006 . 6 7.8 0.018
Source: PNL 1992b
aAnnual average plus or minus (y) standard errors of the mean. Samples
less than detectable daily concentrations were assumed equal to the 24-h
detection limit.
bMinimum 24-hr detection limit is 0.003 ppmv.
ppmv = parts per million volume
Off-site monitoring for TSP in the vicinity of the Hanford Site was
discontinued in 1991 (PNL 1994). TSP data collected in 1990 at Sunnyside and
Wallula were reported in Revision 5 of the Handford Site National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization (PNL 1992). The annual
geometric means of TSP measurements at Sunnyside and Wallula for 1990 were
71 -g/m3 and 80 -g/m3 (4.4 x 10-9 lb/ft3 and 5.0 x 10-9 lb/ft3), respectively.
Both of these values exceeded the Washington State annual standard, 60 -g/m3
(3.72 x 10-9 lb/ft3). The Washington State 24-hour standard, 150 -g/m3 (9.3 x
10-9 lb/ft3), was exceeded six times during the year at Sunnyside and seven
times at Wallula.
The only off-site monitoring near the Hanford Site in 1992, for PM10, was
conducted by Ecology (PNL 1994). PM10 was monitored at three locations:
Columbia Center in Kennewick, Wallula, and the Walla Walla Fire Station (Table
4-8). During 1992, the 24-hour PM10 standard established by the State of
Washington, 150 -g/m3, was exceeded twice at the Columbia Center monitoring
location; the maximum 24-hour concentration at Columbia Center was 596 -g/m3;
the other occurrence >150 -g/m3 was 183 -g/m3. None of the sites exceeded the
annual primary standard, 50 -g/m3, during 1992.
Annual Max. No.
Location Arithmetic Concentration Occurrences
Mean (-g/m3) (-g/m3) >150 -g/m3
Kennewick, Columbia Center 26 596 2
Wallula 35 124 0
Walla Walla Fire Station 28 67 0
Source: PNL 1994
During the past 10 years, CO, SO2 and NO2 have been monitored periodically in
communities and commercial areas southeast of the Hanford Site. These ambient
urban measurements are typically used to estimate the maximum back-
ground
pollutant concentrations for the Hanford Site because of the lack of specific
on-site monitoring.
Particulate concentrations can reach relatively high levels in eastern
Washington State because of exceptional natural events (i.e., dust storms,
volcanic eruptions, and large brushfires) that occur in the region.
Washington State ambient air quality standards have not considered
"rural fugitive dust" from exceptional natural events when estimating the
maximum background concentrations of particulates in the area east of the
Cascade Mountain crest. EPA has in the past exempted the rural fugitive dust
component of background concentrations when considering per-
mit applications
and enforcement of air quality standards. However, EPA is now investigating
the prospect of designating the Tri-County area (i.e., parts of Benton,
Franklin, and Walla Walla counties) as a nonattainment area for fine PM10.
Windblown dust has been identified as a particularly large problem in this
area. A grant to Washington State University and the Agricultural Research
Center has funded a study to ascertain the effects of this dust. Ecology has
been working with the EPA and the local Air Quality District to control other
sources of PM10, thereby potentially delaying or preventing the need for the
nonattainment designation. At this time, a final decision has not been made
on this issue.
4.3.2 RADIATION
Many of the activities at the Hanford Site which formerly released radiation to the environment no longer occur, since the Hanford mission has changed from production of Pu for national defense to environmental cleanup of the site. Current levels of radioactivity in environmental media within and in the vicinity of the Hanford site reflect contributions from naturally-occurring radioactivity, fallout from man-made sources (such as past weapons tests, and the Chernobyl accident), and emissions from Hanford Site facilities. Emissions sources are located in the 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 Areas. The 200 Areas contain facilities for nuclear fuel chemical separations, processing, waste handling and disposal, and steam and electrical power generation using fossil fuels. All of these facilities are potential sources of emissions. Major potential sources of emissions are the PUREX Plant and 242-A Evaporator in the 200 East Area, and U Plant, the PFP, T Plant, and the 222-S Analytical Laboratory in the 200 West Area. Other sources in both areas include tank farms and underground storage tanks. The following sections describe the radiation monitoring programs at the Hanford Site and reports the results of current monitoring.
4.3.2.1 Radiation Monitoring Programs
- The following types of monitoring are
performed to detect and distinguish the source of radioactivity in the
environment (PNL 1995).
. Facility effluent monitoring determines the flow rate of effluents
being released and when radioactivity levels might exceed specified
threshold levels. This monitoring also determines gross alpha and beta
activity and, when appropriate, the specific radionuclides activity.
This information can be input to environmental transport models to
predict concentrations of radioactive materials in environmental media.
. Near-facility monitoring is conducted in the vicinity of major
potential emissions sources such as the PUREX Plant. Air, surface
water and seeps, external radiation, soil, and vegetation are included
in near-facility monitoring.
. Environmental monitoring is conducted at and beyond the site boundary.
Air, surface water, groundwater, external radiation, soil, vegetation,
wildlife, and food and farm products are included in off-site
environmental monitoring. The monitoring program includes sampling
locations that are remote to the Hanford Site that can be used to
distinguish between radioactivity from the site and from other sources.
The areas most likely to be affected by the proposed project alternatives are
within and around the 200 Areas. The near-facility monitoring program
collects environmental samples from the 100, 200, and 300/400 Areas. Table
4-9 lists the sample types monitored and number of samples obtained in the 200
Areas during 1994 (PNL 1995).
Near-Facility Sampling in 1992
Sample Type Number of Samples Air 32 Surface water and seeps 12 External radiation 58 Soil 57 Vegetation 37 90Sr, 137Cs, 239,240Pu, and U were consistently detected in samples collected in the 200 East and West Areas. Concentrations in air samples over the past 5 years show a consistent downward trend due to facility shutdowns, better effluent controls, and improved waste management practices. Concentrations in surface water, aquatic vegetation, and sediment samples from ditches and ponds were below applicable derived concentration guidelines (DCG) values and in many cases below the limits of detection. Maximum measured values are summarized in Table 4-10.
Maximum Radionuclide Concentrations for 200 Area Samples in 1994
Concentration
(pCi/L) (pCi/g)
Surface Derived Concen- Aquatic
Parameter Water tration Guide Vegetation Sediment
Gross Alpha 3.3 - - -
Gross Beta 228 - - -
Tritium 1.06x105 2.0x106 - -
90Sr 12.1 1,000 1.5 4.5
137Cs 192 3,000 2.4 7
239,240Pu - - 3.5 2
Ua - - 4.5x10-8 7.9y10-7
Source: PNL 1995 and DOE Order 5400.5, Radiation Protection of the
Public and the Environment
aUranium concentration units are gram per gram (g/g).
pCi = picocurie
Radionuclide concentrations in soil and vegetation samples from the 200 East
and West Areas showed trends similar to those observed for air. Concentrations
of 90Sr, 137Cs, and 239,240Pu showed a consistent downward trend but were higher
than those measured offsite. Radiological surveys are conducted in areas
known or suspected to contain surface or subsurface contamination. Areas
exceeding specified levels are posted as contamination areas, underground
radioactive material areas, or soil contamination areas - depending upon the
character of the contamination. In the 200 East and West Areas during 1994,
2,492 ha (6,157 acres) were posted as the result of surface contamination and
795 ha (1,964 acres) as the result of subsurface contamination. Surface and
subsurface contamination areas are much larger than reported in the Draft EIS.
This change reflects the inclusion of the tank farms and the use of a global
positioning system to enhance accuracy.
Approximately 137 sample locations at and beyond the Hanford Site boundary
were monitored during 1994 (PNL 1995). Sample types included air, spring
water, Columbia River water and sediments, irrigation water, drinking water,
ponds, foodstuffs, wildlife, soils, vegetation, and direct radiation. Results
for springs discharging into the Columbia River and river water and sediments
indicated contributions of radioactivity originating at the Hanford Site.
Results for air and vegetation were generally consistent with natural sources
for radioactivity and fallout but suggested a minor contribution from site
emissions. For soil and foodstuffs except milk there was no difference
between locations upwind and downwind of the site, suggesting no contribution
from Hanford facilities. Slightly elevated levels of 129I in milk appear to
be due to emissions from the site. Columbia River water and sediment, seeps
and springs along the river, and irrigation water drawn from a canal fed by
the river continue to show detectable levels of radioactivity that originated
from the Hanford Site.
4.3.2.2 Radiation Monitoring Reporting
- Doses to members of the public for emissions from the Hanford Site are evaluated annually in two documents, the Environmental Report and the Radionuclide Air Emissions Report. The Hanford Site Environmental Report for Calendar Year 1994 (PNL 1995) evaluated the dose to the hypothetical maximally exposed off-site individual (MEOSI) and to the general population within 80 km (50 mi) of the site for air and water exposure pathways. This report is prepared to meet DOE reporting requirements and evaluates the contribution of the 100, 200, 300, and 400 Areas to off-site dose using the GENII computer code (PNL 1988a, PNL 1988b, PNL 1988c). The Radionuclide Air Emissions Report for the Hanford Site, Calendar Year 1994 evaluated the dose to the hypothetical MEOSI using the CAP-88 computer program (EPA 1990) and to the general population within 80 km (50 mi) using the GENII computer code. This report is prepared to met EPA reporting requirements under Appendix H, 10 CFR 61. The doses reported in these two reports for the MEOSI are summarized in Table 4-11. The air emissions and water effluents from the 200 East and West Areas accounted for most of the dose to the public as the result of Hanford operations. These doses are well below the DOE limit of 100 mrem per year for members of the general public. This DOE limit of 100 mrem per year includes all pathways, including direct exposures from DOE activities. These doses are also well below the State of Washington 10 mrem per year standard for air emissions in WAC 246-247. The two reports agree on the dose via the air pathways. The population dose for the 200 East and West Areas was 0.26 person-rem through air pathways and 0.3 person-rem through water pathways, and
> Dose to Hypothetical MEOSI From Hanford Site Operations During 1994 (mrem)
Air
Emissions
Environmental Report Report
Effluent Pathway 200 Areas All Sources All Sources
Air External 2.8y10-6 1.3y10-4 -
Inhalation 6.4x10-4 .01 -
Foods 0.0015 0.0015 -
Subt0.0021 .012 0.005
Water Recreation 2y10-4 2y10-4 -
Foods 0.014 0.014 -
Fish 0.017 0.017 -
Drinking Water 0.0067 0.0067 -
Subt0.038 0.039 -
Tota0.04 0.051 -
Sources: PNL 1995, DOE 1995
0.33 person-rem through air pathways and 0.3 person-rem through water pathways
for the entire site (PNL 1995).
4.3.3 SOUND LEVELS AND NOISE
Noise is technically defined as sound waves perceptible to the human ear. The frequency of sound waves is measured in Hertz (Hz), and the pressure that sound waves produce is measured in decibels (dBs). Humans have a perceptible hearing range of 31 to 20,000 Hz. The threshold of audibility ranges from about 60 dBs at a frequency of 31 Hz to less than about one - dB between 900 and 8,000 Hz. For regulatory purposes, noise levels for perceptible frequencies are weighted to provide an A-weighted sound level [dB(A)] that closely correlates with individual community response to noise. Sound pres- sure levels outside the range of human hearing are not considered noise in a regulatory sense, even though wildlife may be able to hear these frequencies. Noise levels are often reported as the equivalent sound level (Leq). The Leq is expressed in dB(A) over a specified period of time, usually 1 or 24 hours. The Leq expresses time-varying noise levels by integrating noise levels over time and expressing them at a steady-state continuous sound level. The following sections characterize existing background noise information, environmental noise regulations, and Hanford Site sound levels.
4.3.3.1 Background Noise Information
- Studies at Hanford of the propagation of noise have been concerned primarily with occupational noise at work sites. Environmental noise levels have not been extensively evaluated because of the remoteness of most Hanford activities and isolation from receptors that are covered by Federal or state statutes. This discussion focuses on the few environmental noise analyses that is available. The majority of available information consists of model predictions, which in many cases have not been verified because the predictions indicated that the potential to violate state or Federal standards is remote or unrealistic. There are two sources of environmental noise measurements at Hanford. Environmental noise measurements were made in 1981 during site character- ization of the Skagit/Hanford Nuclear Power Plant Site (PNL 1994). The Hanford Site was considered as the site for a geologic waste repository BWIP for spent commercial nuclear fuel and other nuclear HLW. Site characterization studies performed in 1987 included measurement of background environmental noise levels at five locations on the Hanford Site. Additionally, certain activities such as well drilling and sampling can produce noise in the field apart from major permanent facilities. Noise levels are expressed as Leq for 24 hours (Leq-24). To collect Skagit/Hanford data, preconstruction measurements of environmental noise were taken in June 1981 on the Hanford Site (PNL 1994). Fifteen sites were monitored and noise levels ranged from 30 to 60.5 dB(A). The values for isolated areas ranged from 30 to 38.8 dB(A). Measurements taken around the sites where the Washington Public Power Supply System was constructing nuclear power plants ranged from 50.6 to 64 dB(A). Measurements taken along the Columbia River near the system's intake structures (location # WNP-2) were 47.7 and 52.1 dB(A) compared to more remote river noise levels of 45.9 dB(A) measured about 5 km (3 mi) upstream from the intake structures. Community noise levels in North Richland (300 Area at Horn Rapids Road and the 240 By-Pass Highway) were 60.5 dB(A). BWIP background noise levels were determined at five sites located within the Hanford Site. Wind was identified as the primary contributor to background noise levels, and winds exceeding 19 kmph (12 mph) significantly affected noise levels. Background noise levels in undeveloped areas at the Hanford Site can best be described as a mean Leq-24 of 24 to 36 dB(A). Periods of high wind, which normally occur in the spring, would elevate background noise levels. In the interest of protecting Hanford Site workers and complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for noise in the workplace, the Hanford Environmental Health Foundation has monitored noise levels resulting from several routine operations performed at the Hanford Site. Occupational sources of noise propagated in the field are summarized in Table 4-12. These levels are reported here because operations such as well sampling are conducted in the field away from established indus- trial areas and may disturb sensitive wildlife.
4.3.3.2 Environmental Noise Regulations
- The Noise Control Act of 1972 and subsequent amendments (Quiet Communities Act of 1978, 42 USC 4901-4918, 40 CFR 201-211) delegate the regulation of environmental noise to the state. The State of Washington has adopted RCW 70.107, which authorizes Ecology to implement rules consistent with Federal noise control legislation. RCW 70.107 and the implementing regulations embodied in WAC 173-60 through 173-70 defined the regulation of environmental noise levels. Maximum noise levels are defined for the zoning of the area for environmental designation for noise abatement (EDNA). The Hanford Site is classified as a Class C EDNA on the basis of industrial activities. Unoccupied areas are also classified as Class C areas by default because they are neither Class A (residential) nor Class B (commercial). Maximum noise levels are established based on the EDNA classification of the receiving area and the source area.
Monitored Levels of Noise From Outdoor Activities at the Hanford Site
Average Maximum
Year Noise Level Noise
Activity Measured (dB) Level (dB)
Water wagon operation 1984 104.5 111.91
Well sampling 1987 74.8 78.2
Truck 1989 78 83
Compressor 1989 88 90
Generator 1989 93 95
Well drilling, Well 32-2 1987 98 102
Well drilling, Well 32-3 1987 105 111
Well drilling, Well 33-29 1987 89 91
Pile driver 1987 118 119
[diesel 1.5 m (5 ft) from source]
Tank farm filter building 1976 86 NA
9 m (30 ft) from source
NA = not applicable
4.3.3.3 Hanford Site Sound Levels
- Most industrial facilities on the Hanford Site are located sufficiently far from the site boundary that noise levels at the boundary are not measurable or are barely distinguishable from back- ground noise levels.
4.4 ECOLOGY
The existing ecological resources in the vicinity of the 200 East and West Areas are characterized according to vegetation, wildlife, and threatened or endangered species. Each of these elements is discussed in the following sections.
4.4.1 VEGETATION
The Hanford Site is located in a semiarid region that normally supports sagebrush scrub. The site consists of large areas of undeveloped land, including abandoned agricultural areas, and widely-separated clusters of industrial buildings. The plant and animal species on the Hanford Site are representative of those inhabiting the shrub-steppe (sagebrush-grass) region of the northwestern United States. It is estimated that currently there are approximately 49,000 ha (120,000 acres) of shrub-steppe habitat on the Hanford Site (PNL 1992). The vegetation along the corridor of the proposed RCSTS pipeline and its optional route segment is primarily a shrub-steppe community dominated by big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), referred to as sagebrush in this EIS, as shown in Figure 4-16. The sagebrush, cheatgrass, and Sandberg bluegrass community is the most common in this area. Substantial parts, especially inside the 200 East and West Areas, are previously disturbed and have rabbitbrush- and cheatgrass-dominated vegetation or are barren. Figure 4-17 shows the distribution of vegetation types on the proposed NTF site in the 200 West Area. Figure 4-18 shows the distribution of vegetation types on the proposed NTF "Site E" option, just west of the 200 East Area. In both of these NTF sites, the open ground is dominated by Sandberg bluegrass (Poa sandbergii), cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), abundant amounts of draba (Draba verna) and Carey's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza careyana). Previously disturbed areas are vegetated mainly with non-native invasive plants. However, the dominant shrub is the native grey rabbitbrush which has invaded disturbed areas throughout the area. Newly-proposed NTF "Site D" option, which is within the 200 East Area, is located on Figure 4-19.
4.4.2 WILDLIFE
More than 300 species of insects, 39 species of mammals, and more than 36 common species of birds, and 12 species of reptiles and amphibians, have been identified on the Hanford Site (PNL 1994). All species common to the Hanford Site can be found in the vicinity of the proposed NTF site option areas and proposed RCSTS corridors. Pocket mice (Perognathus parvus) and jackrabbits (Lepus spp.) are the primary small mammal species observed. Large mammals include deer (Odocoileus spp.) and elk (Cervus elaphus), although the elk occur almost exclusively on the Fitzner Ebherhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve located on Rattlesnake Mountain. Coyotes (Canis latrans) and raptors are the primary predators. Figure (page 4-53) Figure 4-16. Vegetation map Between 200 East and West Area Figure (Page 4-54) Figure 4-17. NTF Site Vegetation - 200 West Area Figure (Page 4-55) Figure 4-18. NTF "Site E" Vegetation - West of the 200 East Area Figure (Page 4-56) Figure 4-19. NTF Site "D" Vegetation - West of the 200 East Area The most common snakes are gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus), yellow- bellied racers (Coluber constrictor), and rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis). Toads and frogs are found along the Columbia River. Grasshoppers and various species of beetles are the most conspicuous insects in the community. The horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) are the most abundant nesting birds in the shrub-steppe community.
4.4.3 THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
The areas potentially affected by the proposed actions and alternatives were examined for threatened or endangered plant and animal species. Discussion of these examinations follows.
4.4.3.1 Threatened or Endangered Plant Species
- The ecological surveys for the area between the 200 East Area and the 200 West Area indicated that there are no Federally-listed threatened or endangered plant species present, as specified by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (Brandt 1994). The ecological reviews identified the presence of stalked-pod milkvetch (Astragalus sclerocarpus), a Class 3 State of Washington monitor species. This designation indicates it is either more common or less threatened than previously believed and therefore is not a species of concern. This species is common throughout the Hanford Site. Piper's daisy (Erigeron piperianus) is a state-sensitive species and has been found near the 200 East Area.
4.4.3.2 Threatened or Endangered Animal Species
- The loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is classified as a Federal and state candidate species. This designation indicates the species is under review for possible listing as threatened or endangered species. Loggerhead shrikes nest in undisturbed sagebrush and bitterbrush habitats, such as those found at the 200 East and RCSTS areas. The northern sagebrush lizard (aceloporus graciosus), also a Federal candidate species) is also found in the mature sagebrush habitat. The western burrowing owl, another Federal candidate species, was not found in the project impact area. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has designated shrub- steppe as a Priority Habitat, which is defined as a habitat providing unique or significant value to a wide variety of wildlife and often especially for species of concern. Designating habitat as priority represents a measure to help prevent species from becoming threatened or endangered. The sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli) is a state candidate species. Habitat requirements for the sage sparrow are sagebrush and chaparral with scattered shrubs. Their breeding range includes central Washington and they have been found to be nesting in moderate numbers in the proposed project areas. The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), a Federal and state threatened species, is a regular winter resident occurring principally along the Columbia River. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), a Federal and state endangered species, is a casual migrant visitor to the area but does not nest there. The State of Washington lists the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) as endangered, and the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), noted for nesting on area power poles, as threatened. There are several species of animals that are under consideration for listing. Two Ecological Resource Reviews have been completed by PNL (Brandt, 1994). These reviews indicated a nesting presence of the loggerhead shrike, Federal Candidate 2 Species, and the sage sparrow, a state candidate species. The nesting presence would result in a restriction on clearing and grubbing activities during the nesting season (March 1 to July 1). Construction schedules would be adjusted as required to meet this restriction. No other restrictions resulted from the Ecological Resource Review conducted by PNL. Other than the loggerhead shrike, sagebrush lizard, and sage sparrow which are candidates for listing as endangered or threatened, no animal species registered as threatened or endangered are known to depend on the habitats in the immediate vicinity of the proposed RCSTS site, or its alternate location. However, the ferruginous hawk and other raptors may forage for prey species in some of these habitats.
4.5 POPULATION AND SOCIOECONOMICS
The Hanford Site directly and indirectly influences the socioeconomic characteristics in Benton and Franklin Counties, in the state, and in particular, the Tri-Cities area (see Figure 4-20). The Tri-Cities area consists of Pasco in Franklin County and Richland and Kennewick in Benton County. Employee residence records as of December 1993 indicate 84 percent of all Hanford site employees reside in Benton County, 7 percent reside in Franklin county, and 80 percent reside in the Tri-Cities. Most of the remaining 9 percent of the Hanford workforce reside in Yakima County, Grant County, Adams County, or Walla Walla County, but do not constitute a large proportion of the workforce in those counties. Consequently, alternatives considered in this EIS are expected to have only a slight impact on the socioeconomic characteristics of other surrounding counties. Although major project activities at the Hanford Site can have socioeconomic impacts in neighboring counties and major cities in the region, Benton and Franklin counties will receive most of the employment effects. The region of socioeconomic influence for actions considered in this EIS is shown in Figure 4-21. The local area around the Hanford Site and the Tri-Cities in particular is described in detail in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Siting, Construction, and Operation of New Production Reactor Capacity (DOE 1991) and in the Tri-Cities Profile (State of Washington 1992). These sources provide more information on socioeconomic characteristics. The following sections summarize information from these sources, including: . Local Economy, Employment, and Income . Population Characteristics . Housing . Local Infrastructure. Figure (Page 4-60) Figure 4-20 Urban Areas with Population Greater than 1,000 Persons Within Commuting Range of the Proposed Project Site Figure (Page 4-61) Figure 4-21 Socioeconomic Region of Influence for Hanford Site
4.5.1 LOCAL ECONOMY, EMPLOYMENT, AND INCOME
The following economic sectors have been the principal driving forces of the
economy in the Tri-Cities since the early 1970s:
. The DOE and its contractors that operate the Hanford Site.
. Washington Public Power Supply System in its construction and operation
of nuclear power plants.
. Agriculture, including a substantial food-processing industry. With
the exception of a minor amount of agricultural commodities sold to
local area consumers, the goods and services produced by these sectors
are exported from the Tri-Cities.
In addition to providing employment and payrolls directly, these major sectors
of the local economy support many secondary jobs through purchase of
equipment, supplies, and services.
Employment by the DOE, DOE contractors, the Washington Public Power Supply
System, and Seimens Nuclear Power Corporation, another major employer,
provided 17,594 jobs with an annual payroll of $771 million in the second
quarter of 1991 (State of Washington 1992). While these jobs reflect
approximately 27 percent of the total number of jobs in the communities, the
income reflects nearly 42 percent of all payroll dollars. Current reductions
in Federal spending are resulting in a decline in direct Hanford Site
employment.
Employment by the food processors, farms, and related agricultural services in
the Tri-Cities area provided approximately 12,900 jobs, with a total payroll
of $160 million in 1990 (State of Washington 1992). The employment by
economic sector in the Tri-Cities area for 1991 is shown in Table 4-13. The
delineation of Hanford Site employment by city and outlying areas of Benton
and Franklin Counties is shown in Table 4-14.
Industry Employment Distribution in the Tri-Cities Area
Economic Sector Number of Employees Mining Construction 3,800 Manufacturing 5,500 Transportation and Public Utilities 2,400 Trade 13,600 Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate 1,800 Services 25,700 Government including DOE and contractors 11,500 Total 64,300 Source: State of Washington 1992Table 4-14 Location Percent Kennewick 30 Pasco 9 Richland >42 Other Areas in Benton and Franklin 12 Source: Stucky 1994 Studies performed by PNL in 1987 and 1989 suggest that for each Hanford Site job, 1.2 additional indirect jobs are created in Benton and Franklin Counties. Total personal income, per capita income, and median income for the Benton and Franklin counties are presented in Table 4-15. Total personal income includes all forms of income, such as wages and dividends. Per capita income reflects total personal income divided by the population of the area. Median income reflects the point at which half of the households have an income greater than the median.
Hanford Site Employment by City
Income in Benton and Franklin Counties
Total Personal Per Capita Income Median Income
County Income ($ Million) ($) ($)
Benton 2,097 18,038 35,000
Franklin 607 15,477 27,075
Source: Laamb 1994
Per capita income in 1991 for the cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland is
$17,392, according to information supplied by TRIDEC (State of Washington
1992). The average household income in 1992 for the Tri-Cities was $35,792
for Kennewick, $25,364 for Pasco, and $47,691 for Richland (State of
Washington, 1992).
4.5.2 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS
Population growth for the Tri-Cities and Benton and Franklin Counties since 1940 is directly related to activities at the Hanford Site. The local economy is dependent on employment at the Hanford Site. Projections show continued growth for the two counties dependent upon a stable employment base at the Hanford Site. Recent changes in Federal funding and DOE budget cuts are likely to impact projected growth trends. In 1995, the workforce at Hanford Site is expected to be cut by nearly 5,000 jobs. Executive Order (E.O.) 12898 "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations" requires Federal agencies to identify and address environmental effects of their projects on minority and low-income populations. The approach in this EIS identifies areas of minority and low-income populations and assesses potential effects from project-related activities in Section 5. The composition and distribution of minority and low-income populations are discussed in Appendix C, "Environmental Justice Evaluation."
4.5.3 HOUSING
Benton and Franklin Counties experienced an increase in housing demand between 1992 and 1993. Home sales in the first half of 1993 were 4.6 percent higher than in the first half of 1992. Housing prices increased by 22 percent between the second quarter of 1992 and the second quarter of 1993 (TRIDEC 1993). The average price of single-family homes sold in the second quarter of 1993 was $109,000. However, in July, 1993, 38 percent of homes sold for $80,000 or less, indicating an increase in moderately priced single-family homes. Permits for construction of homes grew in Kennewick by 30 percent and in Richland by 50 percent between 1992 and 1993. Rental properties for the Tri-Cities between June 1992 and June 1993, according to TRIDEC, had a low vacancy rate and high rental rate. Richland's vacancy is the highest at 3 percent during this period. The high demand for housing units of all kinds was reflected in the census data collected by the State of Washington for 1990 and shown in Table 4-16. However, the demand for housing has been eased by the ongoing reduction in workforce by DOE at the Hanford Site.
Total Units and Occupancy Rates (1993 Estimates)
Tri-Cities
Richland Pasco Kennewick Average
All Units 14,388 7,846 18,110 13,448
Occupancy Rate (%) 96 92 95 94
Single Units 9,921 3,679 9,824 7,808
Occupancy Rate (%) 98 96 97 97
Multiple Units 3,827 2,982 5,944 4,251
Occupancy Rate (%) 95 91 96 94
Mobile Homes 640 1,239 2,342 1,407
Occupancy Rate (%) 88 86 97 90
Source: PNL 1994, Office of Financial Management 1993.
4.5.4 LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Local infrastructure relevant to the affected environment are characterized in the following sections: . Local Taxes . Emergency Services . Medical Services . Education.
4.5.4.1 Local Taxes
- The regional tax base has continued to grow with the increase in employment and population. Taxable sales have contributed to the tax base and assessed property values. Between the first quarter of 1992 and the first quarter of 1993, taxable retail sales increased by more than 7 percent in Franklin and Benton Counties combined. Kennewick and Richland both increased taxable retail sales 11 percent in the same reporting period (TRIDEC 1993). Although taxable retail sales increased more between 1991 and 1992 (14.5 percent for the two-county area), the slower growth is probably due to seasonal decline in sales during the first quarter.
4.5.4.2 Emergency Services
- Benton County has 40 commissioned officers and sheriffs, six fire districts, and three hospitals. Franklin County has 18 commissioned officers and one sheriff, four fire districts, and one hospital.
4.5.4.3 Medical Services
- The Tri-Cities area is served by three hospitals: Kadlec Medical Center, Kennewick General Hospital, and Our Lady of Lourdes Health Center. Kadlec Medical Center, located in Richland, has 144 beds and functions at 43.6 percent capacity. Their 5,188 annual admissions represent more than 38 percent of the Tri-Cities market. Non-Medicare/Medicaid patients accounted for 56.4 percent, or 2,926 of their annual admissions. An average stay of 4.4 days per admission was reported for 1991. Kennewick General Hospital maintains a 45.5 percent occupancy rate in its 70 beds with 4,585 annual admissions. Non-Medicare/Medicaid patients in 1993 represented 52 percent of its total admissions. An average stay of 3.2 days per admission was reported. Our Lady of Lourdes Health Center, located in Pasco, reported an occupancy rate of 36.5 percent; however, outpatient income serves as a primary source of income for the center. In 1993, Our Lady of Lourdes had 3,803 admissions, of which 52 percent were non-Medicare/Medicaid patients. The institution reported an average admission stay of 6 days.
4.5.4.4 Education
-
. Primary and Secondary - Primary and secondary education are served by
the Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and Kiona-Benton School districts. The
combined 1993 spring enrollment for all districts was approximately
29,777 students, an increase of 4.6 percent from the 1992 total of
28,397 students. The 1993 total includes approximately 13,001 students
from the Kennewick School district, about 8,212 and 7,094 students,
respectively, in the Richland and Pasco School districts, and 1,470
from Kiona-Benton. In 1993, all four school districts were operating
at or near their capacity.
. Post-Secondary - Post-secondary education in the Tri-Cities area is
provided by a junior college, Columbia Basin College (CBC), and the
Tri-Cities branch campus of Washington State University (WSU-TC). The
WSU-TC offers a variety of upper-division, undergraduate, and graduate
degree programs. The 1993 fall enrollment was approximately 6,295 at
CBC and 1,117 at WSU-TC. WSU-TC is operating almost at capacity, and
plans are underway for an additional building. Many of the programs
offered by these two institutions are geared toward the vocational and
technical needs of the area. Currently, 26 associate degree programs
are available at CBC and 14 graduate programs are available at WSU-TC.
4.6 TRANSPORTATION
This section discusses transportation to the Hanford Site provided by highways, air, water, railroad, and other transportation facilities. However, the most-used mode of transportation is the local highway system. Section 4.6.1 focuses on vehicular traffic and circulation. Barge transport and rail transport are other transportation facilities considered in Section 4.6.2. Section 4.6.3 briefly discusses the regulations and policies governing on-site radioactive waste shipments, and summarizes the safety history for on-site truck and rail transport of radioactive waste.
4.6.1 VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION
To evaluate existing conditions, documents and traffic data for national and state roadway systems and the Hanford Site roadways were reviewed. Descriptions of these reviews are presented in the following sections: . National and State Roadway Systems . Hanford Site Roadways
4.6.1.1 National and State Roadway Systems
- Regional access to the project site is provided by a number of national and state highway systems shown in Figure 4-22. The major route adjacent to the Hanford Site is Interstate 82, a national highway which links the Cities of Yakima and Richland. Interstate 82 is a four-lane divided highway which provides two lanes of traffic travelling in each direction. Other regional transportation facilities which provide access to the Hanford Site include State Highways 24 and 240. State Highway 24 is an east-west highway which extends from Yakima to its connection at State Highway 240, and is two lanes wide in the project area. State Highway 240 is a north-south highway which extends from Richland to its connection with State Highways 24 and 243, and also is two lanes wide.
4.6.1.2 Hanford Site Roadways
- Roadways within the Hanford Site which provide local service to the 200 Acres include Route 4 (formerly Route 4- South), Route 10, Route 2-South, Route 11A, Route 5 (formerly Route 4-North and South), and the State Route 240 access road which opened in December 1994. As identified on Figure 4-23, Route 4 is a principal arterial within the Hanford Site providing entrances and exits on State Highway 240. It has two travel lanes in either direction south of the Wye Barricade and one lane in either direction north of the Wye Barricade. Route 4 carries most of the traffic from the City of Richland to the 200 East Area. Traffic volumes during shift changes at the Hanford Site create traffic congestion and a safety problem onsite. Traffic flow has improved since the 3.5 km (2.2 mi) State Route 240 access road was opened. Figure (Page 4-69) Figure 4-22. Regional Transportation System Figure (Page 4-70) Figure 4-23. hanford Site Roadway System Between its intersection with State Highway 240 and south of the Wye Barricade, Route 4 has an estimated 17,000 vehicles per day (WHC 1992c). Traffic volumes for Route 4 north of the Wye Barricade, between Army Loop Road and Baltimore Avenue, are estimated at 8,000 vehicles per day (WHC 1992c). The number of vehicles per day is expected to decrease as a result of a reduction in the on-site workforce. According to a recent traffic study, (Trost 1995) the peak hour occurs between 6:15 am and 7:15 am with a traffic volume of approximately 1,700 vehicles. According to on-site employees, based on the average daily traffic on Route 4 between the Wye Barricade and Baltimore Avenue, Route 4 is currently operating at Level of Service (LOS) "D". LOS is a qualitative measure of a roadway's ability to accommodate vehicular traffic. LOSs range from "A" to "F", with "A" presenting excellent (free-flow) conditions and "F" representing extreme congestion. LOS "D" or better is considered satisfactory (Trost 1995). Based on the high volume of vehicles on Route 4 and the associated passenger car accident risk, a mandate has been implemented to reduce traffic on Route 4 by 1,000 vehicles per day. To meet the requirement, administrative traffic control measures have been instituted, such as providing alternative access routes and ridesharing. Based on recent traffic counts, the mandatory measures have been effective in reducing the amount of time that Route 4 is operating at LOS "D". Route 10 provides access to State Highway 240 at its southern terminus and Route 4 at its northern terminus. Route 10 is classified as a north-south minor arterial within the Hanford Site, with one travel lane in either direction. Traffic counts for Route 10 taken at its connection with State Highway 240 reveal a daily traffic of approximately 2,200 vehicles. Traffic counts for Route 10 between the Wye Barricade and the 300 Area indicate a traffic volume of approximately 1,700, signifying that a large portion of the traffic on Route 10 is destined for the 300 and 400 Areas. The peak traffic hours for Route 10 are unknown. According to on-site employees and based on the average daily traffic on Route 10 between the Wye Barricade and State Highway 240, Route 10 is currently operating at LOS "B". Route 2S and Route 11A are classified as minor arterials and provide secondary access to the 200 Areas. Route 2S becomes Route 11A west of Route 2N. Route 2S and Route 11A both provide four travel lanes, two in either direction. Between its intersection with Route 11A and north of the Wye Barricade, Route 2S has an estimated traffic volume of 970 vehicles per day (WHC 1992c). Traffic volumes for Route 11A west of Route 2N are estimated to be approximately 147 vehicles per day (WHC 1992c). According to the Trost study, the peak hour occurs between 6:15 am and 7:15 am, with a traffic volume of approximately 500 vehicles. Route 2S and Route 11A have been the subject of voluntary administrative traffic controls which offer ridership incentives to those who use Route 2S/11A to access the 200 Areas. This control was implemented to reduce traffic volumes on Route 4. According to subsequent traffic counts, traffic has increased on the Route 2S/11A roadway, which suggests that the voluntary traffic controls are reducing traffic volumes on Route 4. According to on-site employees, Route 2S/11A is currently operating at an acceptable LOS. Route 5 is classified as a collector arterial, providing access to the 100 Area and 200 East Area at its north and south terminals, respectively. The roadway has two travel lanes, one in either direction. Between Route 1 and Route 11A, Route 5 has an average daily traffic volume of approximately 1,000 vehicles. According to on-site employees and based on average daily traffic on Route 5 between Route 1 and Route 11A, Route 5 is currently operating at LOS "A". Construction of State Route 240 access road was completed in December 1994. This access road connects State Highway 240 to Beloit Avenue in the 200 West Area while implementing a set of administrative traffic control measures to redirect traffic to alternate routes. The access road consists of a two-lane blacktop road capable of handling light traffic at the legal speed limit. The access road is designed to meet the state's roadway standards except for a 9,072-kg (10-ton) weight restriction. The access road and the proposed administrative traffic control measures are reducing Route 4 traffic volume by the approximately 1,000 vehicles per day needed to attain safe traffic circulation (Trost 1994). Route 3 is a two-lane paved roadway approximately 4.8 km (3 mi) long, connecting the 200 East and West Areas. Route 3 accommodates approximately 1,500 vehicles per day while operating at a LOS "C" or "B" during peak and non-peak hours, respectively. For alternative access to the Hanford Site, the Ben Franklin line, a public transit line under DOE contract, provides bus service south of the Wye Barricade. This service route connects the Hanford Site with the City of Richland. Park-and-Ride lots are provided in the 1100 Area for employees commuting from the Cities of Kennewick and Pasco.
4.6.2 OTHER TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
The Hanford Site is located adjacent to the Columbia River. The Port of Benton is the port-of-call for all vessel traffic to the Hanford Site. Port terminals are also provided in the Cities of Kennewick and Pasco. The Port of Benton does not place restrictions on the type of vessels entering the port, although the access to the port is limited by water depths. Vessel traffic at Port Benton is about 15 to 20 vessels per year (Keller 1994). The railroad system on the Hanford Site consists of approximately 204 km (127 mi) of track. The system begins at the Richland Junction (Columbia Center) where it joins the Union Pacific commercial track and runs to the abandoned Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific right of way near the Vernita Bridge located on the north boundary of the Hanford Site. Figure 4-24 illustrates the layout of the Hanford Site rail transportation system. Approximately 139 km (86 mi) of the rail system are considered "in service" to active facilities across the site. There are roughly 64 km (40 mi) of track that are in standby or out-of-service condition. This track serves areas or facilities having no current rail shipping activity. The standby track receives are not maintained, but could be restored if needed for decontamination and decommissioning, environmental restoration, or future programs that may require rail service. Project funding for restoration of standby track would be the responsibility of the requesting program office. Figure (Page 4-74) Figure 4-24. Hanford Site Rail Transportation System The in-service track accommodates approximately 1,400 movements of 500 commercial rail cars annually to provide essential materials to site-wide facilities. The wide variety of materials transported by rail on the Hanford Site ranges from fuels (such as oil and coal) to hazardous and toxic process chemicals, and includes transport of radioactive materials and equipment. The nature of these materials demands that these shipments be accomplished in a safe manner.
4.6.3 RADIOACTIVE WASTE TRANSPORTATION AT THE HANFORD SITE
This section discusses transport and radioactive waste by truck and by rail. Regulations for the safe transportation of radioactive materials are designed to protect workers and the general public from the potential consequences of loss or dispersal of radioactive materials during transit as well as from routine (non-accident) radiation doses. These regulations ensure safety by establishing standards for packaging, handling, and routing of shipments (DOE 1987, Appendix L). Off-site shipment of radioactive materials is primarily governed by the DOT and the NRC. On-site shipment of radioactive and hazardous materials at the Hanford Site is controlled by DOE Orders, DOE-RL documents, and DOE contractor policies developed to ensure compliance with federal agency requirements. The DOE-RL requires that on-site packaging and shipping of hazardous materials be conducted in accordance with DOT regulations. If compliance is not technically or economically practicable, packing and shipping must be accomplished with an equivalent degree of safety. Since the Hanford Site is a controlled environment, the equivalent safety concept allows DOE the flexibility to exercise acceptable technical or economic alternatives for selected on-site transportation activities without compromising safety (WHC 1993a).
4.6.3.1 Radioactive Waste Shipment by Truck
- Radioactive waste shipments occur routinely at the Hanford Site. Truck accident data since 1983 indicates that there have been no accidents involving radioactive waste (Green 1995, WHC 1993b). However, of approximately 42 million km (26 million mi) driven by truck since 1983, there were 114 truck accidents involving other types of cargo (Wilson 1992). Depending on the radioactive waste being transported (i.e. type, quantity, and activity of the material), varying degrees of packaging requirements and administrative controls are placed on the shipment. Examples of administrative controls for truck shipments are: . Speed restrictions . Required escorts . Shipping during off-peak hours . Restricting/prohibiting shipments during icy conditions. A detailed discussion of truck packaging, speed limits, and accident probabilities for truck transport is presented in Appendix F.
4.6.3.2 Radioactive Waste Shipment by Rail
- The Hanford Site has transported
radioactive waste by rail without incident for many years. Typically, on-site
track and equipment are maintained to higher standards than commercial
equipment. The assembly of the track is a higher standard than normally used
on commercial track of equal class. The result is a more stable track with a
lower likelihood of derailments caused by track failure. While train wheels
have slipped off the tracks several times, no train has tipped over or been in
danger of tipping over.
Site procedures do not allow trains to operate in a conflicting manner on the
Hanford Site tracks. Therefore, a collisions between two trains is
impossible. Collisions between a train and a road vehicle are highly unlikely
because waste is shipped normally during off-peak vehicle usage hours when
there is little traffic, and rail crossings along the train route are
barricaded.
Factors that promote safe rail transport at the Hanford Site include:
. During normal travel, approaching grade crossings, and on facility rail
spurs, speeds are lower than commercial limits for the same class of
track.
. Track inspections that occur no more than 8 hours before a radioactive
waste shipment
. Assignment of one crew member to watch the cars constantly for
abnormalities
. Prohibiting rail shipments during conditions of low visibility such as
fog or darkness
. On-site train lengths shorter than commercial trains (seven cars
compared to 60 cars) which reduces the amount of rolling mass and
subsequently allows the train to stop in a shorter distance.
These factors plus others help ensure safe transport of radioactive materials
within the Hanford Boundary. A detailed discussion of rail shipping
containers, speed limits, and accident probabilities is in Appendix F.
4.7 LAND USE
This section discusses current and potential future land uses in the vicinity of the Hanford Site. This includes the 200 East and West Areas of the Central Plateau and the area immediately adjacent to the proposed RCSTS. A discussion of land-use policies and plans that may affect the siting and construction of the proposed project alternatives are presented in Section 4.7.1. Section 4.7.2 discusses land use patterns in the vicinity of the 200 Areas and the portion of the 600 Area between the 200 East and West Areas. Section 4.7.3 discusses the aesthetic and visual resources in the affected environment.
4.7.1 LAND USE POLICIES AND PLANS
The entire Hanford Site is a Federally controlled area and is not subject to
state and local land use regulations such as zoning and planning.
Consequently, there are no relevant state and local land use plans and
policies that apply to this site. However, there are several DOE orders, the
Hanford Site Development Plan (HSDP), and the Hanford Future Site Uses Working
Group Report that pertain to the proposed project area and are implemented by
DOE in land use guidance decisions. These orders are being consolidated in
support of the Secretary of Energy's land use initiative, Land and Facility
Use Policy (O'Leary 1994). The following orders and documents are in use and
will be incorporated into the new Land and Facility Use Policy in the future.
. DOE Order 4320.1B - This order establishes policies and assigns
responsibilities for the planning and development of DOE sites. It
requires a draft site development plan and outlines the planning
process and the elements to be included. The plans are updated
annually.
. DOE Order 6430.1A - Division 2 of this order specifies the conditions
and requirements to be considered during site selection, including
civil engineering factors.
. Hanford Site Development Plan - The HSDP provides an overview of land
use, infrastructure, and facility requirements to support DOE programs
and an existing and future land use plan for the Hanford Site. It was
written and is updated annually in accordance with DOE Order 4320.1B.
It states that for planning purposes, the 200 East and West Areas are
to be used exclusively for the collection of site waste materials and
associated facilities.
The HSDP contains a master plan which outlines the relationship of the
land and infrastructure needed by Hanford Site missions. The master
plan includes the following guidelines for land development:
- Minimize the disturbance of clean land
- Consolidate support activities to improve productivity and maximize
flexibility
- Develop the site in accordance with applicable environmental,
cultural, safety, and health requirements.
. Hanford Future Site Uses Working Group Report (FSUWG 1992) - The
Hanford Future Site Uses Working Group was organized by DOE to help
make recommendations on required clean-up levels under the Hanford
Remedial Action (HRA) EIS. The group consisted of Federal, tribal,
state, and local governments with interests in the Hanford Site. The
Working Group was charged with identifying and articulating a vision
for the future use of the Hanford Site, discussing the implications,
and agreeing on clean-up issues. As part of the final report, the
Working Group made recommendations for future uses of the 200 Areas.
The Working Group recommended concentrating waste from the Hanford Site
into the 200 Areas and the portion of the 600 Area on the 200 Area
Plateau and transporting wastes across the Hanford Site to the 200
Areas. This would help minimize the amount of land devoted to or
contaminated by waste management activities. The Working Group further
recommended that waste and contaminants within the 200 Areas be treated
and managed to prevent off-site migration.
The Working Group also developed six future use options for the Central
Plateau, which includes the 200 Areas. The options include a goal
"...that the overall clean-up criteria for the Central Plateau should
enable general usage of the land and groundwater for other than waste
management activities in the horizon of 100 years from the
decommissioning of waste management facilities and closure of waste
disposal facilities." The options differentiate between types of
waste and different types of waste management or commercial activities.
They are further distinguished by three major criteria: type of waste,
methods of treatment or disposal, and length of time for storage. The
options range from the fulfillment of existing obligations for disposal
or storage of Hanford on-site waste to allowing for the addition of the
storage, treatment or disposal of off-site DOE and commercial waste.
4.7.2 LAND USE PATTERNS
The 200 East and West Areas, which cover about 26 km2 (10 mi2), are located on the Central Plateau with the 600 Area between and adjacent to them. The 200 East and West Areas are approximately 8 and 14.5 km (5 and 9 mi), respectively, from the Columbia River. For approximately 50 years, these areas were exclusively used for fuel reprocessing, waste processing, management, and disposal. The present use of the 200 East and West Areas includes the storage of high-level radioactive wastes in underground tanks. The existing structures at the 200 East Area consist of tank farms, the PUREX Plant, the B Plant, and various buildings shown in Figure 4-25. At the 200 West Area, the existing facilities consist of tank farms, the PFP, T-Plant, and other structures shown in Figure 4-26. The portion of the 600 Area between the 200 East and West Areas is undeveloped open space.
4.7.3 AESTHETICS AND VISUAL RESOURCES
Visual resources reflect the importance to a landscape's aesthetic qualities and its sensitivity to change. To describe the visual resource values associated with the Hanford Site and the 200 East and West Areas, the following factors are considered: . Landscape character . Potential viewing areas. Each factor is discussed in the following sections.
4.7.3.1 Landscape Character
- The Hanford Site is located within the semiarid Pasco Basin of the Columbia Plateau province in southeastern Washington State. The landscape setting within the Hanford Site region is characterized by broad basins and plateaus interspersed with ridges, providing for wide and open vistas throughout much of the area. Major landscape features include the Columbia River which flows through the northern part of the Hanford Site, and turns south to form part of the eastern boundary of the site. North of the Columbia River, the Saddle Mountains border the northernmost part of the site. The Yakima River is located along a small portion of the southern boundary and joins the Columbia River below the city of Richland, on the Site's southeast border. Rattlesnake Mountain and Cold Creek Valley are dominant features in the southwestern portion of the Site, and the Yakima and the Umtanum ridges form the western boundary. Two small east-west ridges, Gable Butte and Gable Mountain, rise above the plateau Figure (Page 4-81) Figure 4-25. 200 East Developed Areas and Existing Structure Figure (Page 4-82) Figure 4-26. 200 West Developed Areas and Existing Structures of the central portion of the Hanford Site (see Figure 4-3). Adjoining lands to the west, north, and east are principally range and agricultural land. The 200 and 600 Areas in the central portion of the Hanford Site are on a large open plateau which varies in elevation from 190 to 244 m (623 to 800 ft) and is characterized by flat terrain (less than 10 percent slope) with ephemeral drainage patterns. Vegetation types within this area are limited to sagebrush and bluegrass-cheatgrass. Dominant adjacent natural features include Gable Butte and Gable Mountain to the north and Rattlesnake Mountain to the south. Only about 6 percent of the Hanford Site surface area has been disturbed and used for the production of nuclear materials, waste storage and waste disposal. The remainder of the area is undeveloped, including natural areas and abandoned agricultural lands that remain undisturbed due to restricted public access (PNL 1994). Past activities within the general vicinity of these locations have greatly modified the natural visual character of the landscape, resulting in an industrial setting at both the 200 East and West Areas. The 200 Areas contain numerous and scattered large-, moderate- and small-scale facilities used for waste storage and disposal. This includes an extensive infrastructure network of roads, major electrical transmission lines, railroads, and pipelines.
4.7.3.2 Potential Viewing Areas
- In general, areas with potential views to a
project shown in Figure 4-27 include residential areas and communities, major
travel routes, and recreation or special areas. The appearance of features
seen in the landscape varies with viewing distance and project type. Views
are generally divided into four distance zones:
. Foreground; within 1 km (0.5 mi)
. Middleground; from 1 km (0.5 mi) to a range of 5 to 8 km (3 to 5 mi)
. Background; from 5 to 8 km (3 to 5 mi) to 25 km (15 mi)
. Seldom-seen areas; either beyond 25 km (15 mi) or generally unseen due
to the topography.
Figure (Page 4-84)
Figure 4-27. Potential Viewing Areas
Due to size of the Hanford Site and lack of public access, views are limited
and will be distant and within the context of the existing modified setting in
the 200 East and West Areas. There are no foreground views of the project, or
nearby residential areas. The Tri-Cities, located southeast of the Hanford
Site, constitute the nearest population centers (PNL 1994). The nearest city,
Richland, is located approximately 27 km (17 mi) southeast of the 200 East
Area.
Views from major travel routes include State Highways 240 and 24. Visibility
from this highway ranges from middle to background views of the 200 West Area
and background views of the 200 East area. Both areas are also within
background view of State Highway 24. Other secondary public access roads with
background views include Stevens Road and County Road 4, located approximately
13 km (8 mi) southeast of the 200 East Area.
Potential viewing areas include recreational sites and areas such as the
Columbia River, and dispersed recreational use areas along the Wahluke Slope
in the northern portion of the Hanford Site. Current recreation use on the
river does not allow for overnight camping, and views from the river are
restricted due to terrain. This portion of the Columbia River running through
the Hanford Site is being considered for resource protection including Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act. Dispersed recreational uses along the Wahluke Slope
are concentrated primarily in the Wahluke State Wildlife Recreation Area.
This area is open to limited day access and would have background views to the
200 East and West Areas from the White Bluffs along the northeastern edge of
the Columbia River.
Other potentially key viewing areas include the Fitzner Eberhardt Arid Lands
Ecology Reserve, located within the southwestern portion of the Hanford Site.
This area is used intermittently for dispersed natural resource
investigations, and users would have background views to both 200 East and
West Areas.
Residential areas with potential views include West Richland, dispersed
residences east of the Columbia River, and the northern portion of Richland.
These views will vary from background to seldom-seen.
4.8 CULTURAL RESOURCES
This section discusses the cultural resources at the Hanford Site. Numerous Federal laws and regulations, including the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), protect and provide for the management of cultural resources. The Hanford Site contains a rich diversity of known cultural resources including historic, archaeological, and Native American concerns which are discussed in Section 4.8.1, 4.8.2, and 4.8.3, respectively. These resources are representative of the prehistoric, historic, and modern eras. As a result of the Hanford Site being closed to the public for over 50 years, cultural resource sites there have been more protected than other sites in the mid-Columbia basin. The restricted access has minimized looting and vandalism of cultural sites. The overall condition, and thus potential significance, of the cultural resources occurring within the Hanford Site is high. Another contributing factor to the quality of the Hanford Site's cultural resources is that other, similar localities along the Columbia River have experienced hydroelectric and agricultural development which usually destroys cultural resources. The Hanford Site has not experienced this type of development. These conditions have resulted in the Hanford Site containing some of the most important archaeological sites in the region. Many of these sites, either individually or collectively, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition, many other historic structures currently not on the NRHP are potentially eligible to be listed due to their relation to the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, and other eras of historical importance. In addition to these prehistoric and historic resources, the Hanford Site contains natural resources and sacred sites important to the present cultures of regional Native American tribes.
4.8.1 HISTORICAL RESOURCES
Historic structures occur within both the 200 East and West Areas. No historic structures occur within the affected areas of the proposed project alternatives.
4.8.2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
The locations of the affected areas of the proposed alternatives have been previously subjected to archaeological reviews by PNL cultural resource staff. These surveys, which include comprehensive literature and records searches as well as field inventories where necessary, have been conducted either for this or other projects on the Hanford Site. The studies conducted to date reveal that many of the areas affected by the proposed project alternatives have been extensively disturbed by previous Hanford Site activities and conclude that no known archaeological resources exist within the project alternative areas. (Crist 1993, Crist 1994, McIntire 1993, Minthorn 1990, Cadoret 1995). A large area of 530 ha (1,300 acres) has been identified for potential habitat restoration to mitigate habitat loss from the preferred or new storage alternatives. This area has also been surveyed and two potentially significant cultural resource sites have been located within the area (Nickens 1995). Consultation with tribes and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) is underway to verify the significance of these sites and assure that these sites would not be disturbed during revegetation activities.
4.8.3 NATIVE AMERICAN CONCERNS
Natural features within the Hanford Site outside the 200 East and West Areas are considered sacred by members of the Wanapum People, Yakama Indian Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribe. These features include Rattlesnake Mountain, Gable Mountain, Gable Butte, Goose Egg Hill, and many sites along the Columbia River. The tribes have expressed a desire that cleanup be completed so that general use of the land and groundwater within the 200 East and West Areas be available within 100 years of site closure. During consultation with representatives of the Yakama Indian Nation, the tribes expressed their preference that all ground- disturbing activities should be confined to previously disturbed areas.
SECTION 4 REFERENCES
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WHC, 1993b, Standard Transportation Risk Assessment Methodology, WHC-SD-TP- RPT-007, Revision 0, Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, WA WHC, 1992a, Summary of the Geology of the 200-BP-1 Operable Unit, K. M. Hoffmann, S.J. Trent, and K.A. Lindsey, Westinghouse Hanford Operations, and B.N. Blornstad, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, WHC-SD-EN-TI-037, Rev. 0., Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, WA WHC, 1992b, Geologic Setting of the 200 East Area: an Update, Lindsey, K.A., et al., WHC-SD-EN-TI-012, Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, WA WHC, 1992c, Grout's RCRA Part A Document, DOE/RL-88-27, Rev. 2, Chapters 2,3,4, only, Westinghouse Hanford Company, Richland, WA WHC, 1995, Radwaste Shipments on Site, Record of Telephone Conversion by E. Lurier, Dames & Moore, with Janet Green, WHC, on May 9, 1995 Wilson, G.P., 1992, Above Ground Transportation System, Memorandum from G.P. Wilson to O.S. Wang, May 12, 1992
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