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4.20 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT-TERM USES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY

The implementation of the Proposed Action or one of the Alternatives would cause some adverse impacts to the environment and permanently commit some resources to specific plant activities. This section describes the relationship between short-term effects of the continued operations at Pantex Plant and the associated long-term effects on productivity.

The Proposed Action and Alternatives for Pantex Plant would require the short-term use of resources (e.g., fuel, electricity, water, construction materials, land, and labor) to achieve the long-term goal of maintaining a safe nuclear weapons stockpile. Under Presidential direction, the stockpile has been reduced. A large number of weapons are no longer designated for the stockpile. In assembled form these weapons require a great deal of security and monitoring. Disassembled, these weapons are safer, less likely to impact the environment, and less expensive to maintain and secure. Thus the short-term expenditure of resources to disassemble the weapons results in long-term benefits in terms of lowered risk and greater cost efficiency.

The use of land being considered for the continued operations and increasing plutonium storage at Pantex Plant would enhance the long-term productivity in two ways. First, assembly and disassembly of nuclear weapons, high explosive manufacturing and processing, and plutonium storage missions represent a long-term production function compatible with historic nuclear weapons support and require a skilled and stable workforce. Second, since existing facilities suitable to assemble and disassemble nuclear weapons, manufacture and process high explosives, and store plutonium do exist, DOE is able to minimize short-term impacts and selectively construct new, modern support facilities that will enhance the existing productivity and ensure long-term productivity at Pantex Plant.

The only requirements for additional land use are for the construction of six new projects. The continued operations, including existing plutonium storage, do not require additional land at this time. The Pit Reuse FacilityPit Reuse Facility would be placed in an existing building, and would enhance the safety and reliability of the plutonium stockpile without a production reactor. The Gas Analysis Laboratory (GAL), the Nondestructive Evaluation Facility, the Metrology and Health Physics Calibration and Acceptance Facility, and the Materials Compatibility Assurance Facility (MCAF) projects, while requiring additional land for the consolidation and modernization of existing facilities and operations, are expected to enhance long-term productivity.

The Hazardous Waste Treatment and Processing Facility (HWTPF) represents an enhancement and modernization of existing capabilities in Building 119S. The HWTPF is part of a major commitment by Pantex Plant for the protection of the environment through the treatment of wastes in agreement with Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC)TNRCC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Through the Federal Facility Compliance Act Site Treatment Plan, the plant expects to treat waste to meet the EPAs Land Disposal Restrictions standards.

Losses of terrestrial habitats to accommodate the new facilities and temporary disturbances during construction of these facilities are expected. However, these impacts have been minimized by selecting sites in areas where industrial operations currently exist. Short-term disturbances and impacts on previously disturbed land are expected to be minimal.

Pantex Plant is developing and implementing plans for ecosystem management in specific areas of Pantex Plant (e.g., playa areas) and studying the use of existing surplus facilities for other purposes. The Pantex Plant environmental restoration program and Texas Clean 2000 program are currently managing cleanup and restoration of 144 solid waste management units. environmental restoration (ER)Environmental restoration activities, while causing some short-term impacts, provide for long-term improvement.