5.2 Alternative 2 - Discontinue Operations
Alternative 2, Discontinue Operations, is defined as the discontinuation of DOE/NV and interagency programs and operations at the NTS, the Tonopah Test Range, the Project Shoal Area, and the Central Nevada Test Area. Only those environmental monitoring and security functions necessary for human health and security would be maintained. The DOE would maintain control of the NTS and the Tonopah Test Range, but no activities would take place. All facilities, after operations have ceased, would be placed in cold standby. Defense Program. Defense Program operations would not be maintained in a state of readiness for nuclear testing, and there would be an overall discontinuation of DOE/NV defense-related activities at the NTS and the Tonopah Test Range. Waste Management Program. The DOE would maintain only a minimum low-level and mixed waste disposal capability until NTS waste-generating activities completely shut down. After shutdown, on-site monitoring and security functions would be reduced and become part of the sitewide monitoring activity. Transuranic and transuranic mixed waste would be shipped to other DOE facilities for certification, handling, and disposal. Environmental Restoration Program. All DOE/NV Environmental Restoration Program activities would cease. Nondefense Research and Development Program. The DOE/NV would discontinue support of ongoing program operations. Work for Others Program. The DOE/NV would not host projects and activities of other federalagencies. This would include a discontinuation of the use of the NTS airspace and certain lands by the DoD for various training exercises and defense-related research and development projects. However, the DOE would be required to provide for overflights and inspection of the NTS in accordance with international arms control treaties, such as the Open Skies Treaty.
5.2.1 Nevada Test Site
The impacts associated with the discontinuation of Defense, Waste Management, Environmental Restoration, Nondefense Research and Development, and Work for Others Programs are presented in this section. The impacts associated with site-support activities are also presented.
5.2.1.1 Land Use
Alternative 2 would result in no new ground disturbance. No activities would occur for the Defense, Waste Management, Environmental Restoration, Nondefense Research and Development, and Work for Others Programs. Therefore, no impacts to land use would occur. No impacts to surrounding land use have been identified under this alternative.
5.2.1.1.1 Site-Support Activities.
The site-support activities at the NTS would be almost entirely discontinued. Only minimal resources would be provided for those monitoring and security functions that would continue at the NTS. A minimal number of facilities would be maintained to support security and monitoring activities and personnel. Services would be effectively eliminated with the exception of minimal security services. UTILITIES. Electrical, water, and wastewater systems under Alternative 2 would be limited primarily to Mercury. Mercury would be the central location for the security and monitoring personnel who would continue to perform duties at the NTS. The main 34.5-kilovolt (kV) powerline extending into the Yucca Flat area of the NTS would be maintained to provide power for monitoring equipment and services to the north. The main components of power would remain largely as they exist under Alternative 1. Most of the 427 km (265 mi) of primary and secondarypower supply lines on the NTS would remain inplace and would be used to power monitoring equipment, security stations, and a few administrative offices. Most of the water supply lines would be abandoned and either left in place or removed and salvaged; however, water in this system must maintain a constant flow to prevent freezing in extreme temperatures. Water wells would be capped except for those that can be used for monitoring purposes. Water storage sumps and tanks would be drained and removed or filled in and graded over. The NTS sewage-handling systems would be shut down and remediated. Sewage would be handled locally with septic tanks and leachfields. The number of personnel and the sewage generated in any single location would be too small to support the use of sewage lagoons as they currently exist. COMMUNICATIONS. The telephone and radio portions of the communication system would be maintained to the extent necessary to support monitoring and security personnel on the NTS. The primary telephone communication link between Las Vegas and the NTS would remain. Radio communications would be the least affected on-site communication under this alternative. Radio communications would be required over much of the NTS to maintain contact capabilities for security personnel. Mobile radio communications would be reduced from around 30 nets to approximately 2 nets, and the digital microwave system would be reduced from 3 units to 1 unit. Central monitoring of NTS radio nets would be limited, but would be maintained at Station 900. The station would continue to function as an emergency reporting point for radio and telephone communications. The public safety network would be eliminated because of the lack of need for off-site DOE locations. Only minimal telephone communications would be maintained for communication to the Las Vegas area. Because the cost of maintenance would be so high, the functions provided by the DOE/NV central hub and switching network would be turned over to thelocal commercial telephone system. The Octel Maximum Voice Mail System would be eliminated. All video capabilities would be eliminated. Data communications capabilities would be removed except for the portion of the system that would be needed for monitoring purposes. There would be no NTS mail systems. The U.S. Post Office in Mercury would shut down.
5.2.1.1.2 Airspace.
Under Alternative 2, the only activities that would affect airspace would be defense related; therefore, only Defense and Work for Others Programs are discussed. Occasional flights of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft carrying supplies and personnel are anticipated, but these flights would not cause significant increases in air traffic. Defense Program. The overall discontinuation of Defense Program activities would result in fewer traffic operations within NTS airspace relative to the baseline and a possible decrease of congestion in the overlapping airspace. Therefore, there would be no airspace or air traffic impacts from Defense Program activities. Work for Others Program. With the Work for Others Program, there would be a discontinuation of the use of the NTS airspace by the DoD for various training exercises and defense-related research and development projects. No commercial air passenger, general aviation, or air-cargo activities would occur except for emergency operations or occasional aircraft operations carrying supplies and personnel. Airspace restrictions under Alternative 2 would be the same as those currently in effect with the Nellis Air Traffic Control Facility. The overflights and inspections required for compliance with international arms control treaties that would be conducted under the Work for Others Program would not result in any airspace or air traffic impacts.
5.2.1.2 Transportation
The environmental impacts related to transportation activities as defined under Alternative 2 are discussed in thefollowing sections. The analysis of transportation impacts is presented with respect to on-site and off-site traffic, transportation of materials and waste, and other transportation.
5.2.1.2.1 On-Site Traffic.
Under Alternative 2, access to the NTS would remain strictly controlled for security purposes, and minimal support would be provided to maintain access to those roads and to the infrastructure necessary to support decommissioning operations and long-term environmental monitoring efforts. Traffic generated within the NTS as a result of this alternative is estimated to be 60 trips per day. Table 5.2-1 summarizes the average daily trip generation that would be attributed to each program. A minimal number of trips would be experienced on Mercury Highway. All key on-site roadways have capacities exceeding 2,000 vehicles per hour for both directions combined (Transportation Research Board, 1994). A comparison of capacity to volumes assigned to each segment shows that no roadway would experience significant traffic congestion under Alternative 2. Under Alternative 2, there would be no traffic generated on the roads within the NTS as a result of activities associated with Defense, Waste Management, Environmental Restoration, Nondefense Research and Development, and Work for Others Programs. Under Alternative 2, traffic generated on the roads within the NTS as a result of work associated with site-support activities is estimated to be 60 average daily trips. The majority of these trips would be confined to Mercury Highway; however, approximately 10 percent would involve travel to Area 5. There would be no adverse effects on traffic flow as a result of site-support activities.
5.2.1.2.2 Off-Site Traffic
Under Alternative 2, NTS employment on site would be reduced when compared to employment under Alternative 1. Correspondingly, a decrease in daily vehicle trips and traffic volumes on key roadway segments is anticipated, resulting in changes in the level of service. The decrease in vehicle trips during the peak hour was estimated for each roadway segmentand subtracted from the baseline to obtain the future project traffic volumes on key roadways. Traffic impacts were determined based on level of service changes for each of the key roads analyzed. The major traffic generators at the site would be from personnel involved with environmental monitoring, security functions, and maintenance of the associated facilities. Table 5.2-2 shows the changes in daily vehicle trips resulting from the loss of employees for each program activity for the years 1996, 2000, and 2005. These changes are all reductions relative to the baseline. After an initial reduction in employment in 1997, employment would remain constant. Under Alternative 2, the access highway to the NTS would experience the greatest reduction in vehicular traffic of an estimated 280 vehicles (in one direction) during the peak hour. Two roadway ramps on the Mercury interchange would experience a similar reduction of 235 vehicles. U.S. Highway 95 between the Mercury interchange and Las Vegas would experience a decrease of 235 vehicles. All other key roads would be likely to experience a reduction of less than 160 vehicles. The projected peak-hour traffic on key roads and the associated levels of service that would result under Alternative 2 for 1996, 2000, and 2005 are shown in Table 5.2-3. Based on standards of the American Association of State Highway and Traffic Engineers, level of service B is appropriate for freeways and arterials and for rural highways in level or rolling terrain. Level of service C is appropriate for rural, mountainous, urban, and suburban areas. For local roads, level of service D is appropriate in all terrain (AASHTO, 1990). By 2005, all key roads in the immediate vicinity of the site (U.S. Highway 95, the Mercury interchange ramps, and the access highway to the site State Route 433) would continue to operate at level of service C or better, an acceptable level according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Traffic Engineers. Under Alternative 2, it is likely that the current bus service to the NTS would be discontinued, resulting in a little less reduction in vehicular traffic than reported above. However, this scenario would not change any level of service on key roadways. Key roads within metropolitan Las Vegas (segments of Interstate 15, U.S. Highway 95, and U.S. Highway 93) currently operate at levels of service ranging from A to F; shortly after 2000, these key roads would all deteriorate to unacceptable level of service F. These conditions would prevail without Alternative 2 because of cumulative traffic growth (recreational, regional, and commuter traffic). U.S. Highway 93 at Hoover Dam already operatesat an unacceptable level of service F, and its level ofservice would continue to deteriorate further, with or without this alternative, mainly because of its geometry (steep grades and narrow curves) and partially because of its moderate traffic volume and truck traffic. All other key roadways would generally continue to operate at level of service C or better. The following sections address the contribution of environmental monitoring, security, and associated site-support activities to traffic impacts generated by the site and occurring at the access road off U.S. Highway 95. Defense Program. Under Alternative 2, the loss in the number of employees associated with Defense Program activities would result in approximately 330 daily vehicle trip reductions with respect to Alternative 1 on a typical weekday in 2005. Except for site-support activities, defense-related activities would contribute the most to the reduction in the number of daily vehicle trips and peak-hour vehicles (approximately 23 percent of the total). Waste Management Program. Under Alternative 2, the loss in the number of employees associated with Waste Management Program activities would result in approximately 60 daily vehicle trip reductions with respect to Alternative 1on a typical weekday in 2005. The Waste Management Program activities would contribute to an approximate 4-percent reduction in the total number of daily vehicle trips. Environmental Restoration Program. Under Alternative 2, the loss in the number of employees associated with the Environmental Restoration Program would result in approximately 90 daily vehicle trip reductions with respect to Alternative 1. The Environmental Restoration Program activities would contribute to an approximate 6-percent reduction in the total number of daily vehicle trips. Nondefense Research and Development Program. Under Alternative 2, the loss in the number of employees associated with the Nondefense Research and Development Program activities would result in approximately 40 daily vehicle trip reductions with respect to Alternative 1. The Nondefense Research and Development activities would contribute slightly less than a 5-percent reduction in the total number of daily vehicle trips. Work for Others Program. Under Alternative 2, the loss in the number of employees associated with Work for Others Program activities would result inapproximately 80 daily vehicle trip reductions with respect to Alternative 1 on a typical weekday in 2005. These activities would contribute to a reduction in the number of daily vehicle trips of slightly less than 6 percent. Site-Support Activities. Site-support activities are anticipated to cause a reduction of 840 vehicle trips in 2005. The reduction in trips is a result of fewer site-support employees who would be required with the discontinuation of site support activities at the NTS.
5.2.1.2.3 Transportation of Materials and Waste
. The Defense, Waste Management, Environmental Restoration, Nondefense Research and Development, and Work for Others Programs would be eliminated, so no hazardous and/or radioactive shipments to the NTS would occur. Therefore, transportation risk under this alternative would decrease.
5.2.1.2.4 Other Transportation
No other modes of transportation would be used; therefore, no transportation impacts would be realized.
5.2.1.3 Socioeconomics
This section addresses the potential socioeconomic effects associated with Alternative 2. The description of socioeconomic conditions includes indicators (population, civilian labor force, employment, unemployment rate, and income) that provide a basis for comparing regional socioeconomic conditions of the site with Alternative 1. In addition, public finance and public services (public education, police and fire protection, and health) are described. The loss of employment and personal income and the increase in unemployment associated with Alternative 2 would result in substantial short-term adverse effects to the regional economy; however, economic and natural growth in the region of influence is expected to compensate for these reductions over time. American Indian socioeconomic impacts due to fluctuations in DOE employment opportunities for tribal members from the CGTO region of influence are discussed in Section 5.1.1.3. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, POPULATION, AND HOUSING. Under Alternative 2, it was assumed that an 86-person workforce would provide the necessary support to maintain minimum environmental monitoring and security functions. With the 86-person workforce, it is estimated that direct payroll and purchases of goods and services would generate 164 secondary jobs (160 in Clark County and 4 in Nye County). Direct earnings are estimated at $4.2 million annually, and secondary earnings are estimated at more than $4.4 million annually. Of these earnings, $3.9 million in direct earnings and $4.3 million in secondary earnings would remain in Clark County; $0.3 million direct earnings and $0.1 million secondary earnings would remain in Nye County. The major losses to the region of influence would include contractors and employees of the DOE, who are generally technicians and engineers, and the loss of other employment opportunities associated with the DOE. The region of influence would lose some diversification, thus increasing the influence and dependence on the service industry. The NTS is one of the major employers for technical positions that are usually filled by graduates of Nevada's universities and community colleges (State of Nevada Plan of Action for the Future of the NTS and its Work Force, 1994). In addition to the loss of employment diversification, the local universities would lose grants and other applicable funding. The loss of employment in Nye County would decrease per capita income from an average of $18,144 to $17,008, a decrease of 6.3 percent in 1998. However, economic activity and natural growth would compensate for this reduction. Although it cannot be quantified, the region of influence and the state of Nevada would experience the loss of the Financial Assistance Award, an award that is negotiated every year between the state of Nevada and the DOE/NV. The Financial Assistance Award is provided to facilitate the accomplishment of activities in environmental safety and health oversight, monitoring, access, and emergency response initiatives to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. The award would be terminated within a year if this alternative were to be implemented. This impact has not been includedin this analysis. The amounts change from year to year and cannot be accurately calculated. Operational employment levels began to decline in 1987. Under Alternative 2, the decrease in employment is assumed to continue until all operations have been discontinued. It has been assumed that the first full year of closure would be 1997; Table 5.2-4 reflects the effects of this alternative to the economic indicators for Clark and Nye Counties. These are the total changes to the region of influence for all programs. Table 5.2-5 lists the housing projections for the region of influence. Figure 5.1-1 illustrates direct employment levels for all alternatives. Defense Program. In the region of influence, in addition to the loss of 1,472 direct positions, an additional 2,802 secondary positions would be lost for a total of 4,274 jobs. In Clark County, the reduction in civilian employment (4,060 jobs) would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.8 percent under Alternative 1 to 9.0 percent under Alternative 2 in 1997. In Nye County, this decrease would result in a loss of 170 jobs, which would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.2 percent to 11.3 percent in 1997. Because of work stoppage in this program, it is expected that 1,700 persons would relocate from Clark County, contributing to a total decrease in population of 0.7 percent in 1998. In Nye County, 132 persons would relocate, contributing to the total 1.9 percent decrease in population in 1998. After discontinuing operations, an estimated 664 households that support the Defense Program would relocate out of Clark County in 1998, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate from an average of 7.9 percent to 8.5 percent in 1998. In Nye County, an estimated 49 households would relocate out of the county, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average 16.2 percent to 17.8 percent. Waste Management Program. In the region of influence, in addition to the loss of 250 direct positions, an additional 476 secondary positions would be lost for a total of 726 jobs. In Clark County, the reduction in civilian employment of 689 jobs would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.8 percent to 9.0 percent in 1996. In Nye County, this decrease would mean a loss of 29 jobs, which would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.2 percent to 11.3 percent in 1997. Because of work stoppage in the Waste Management Program, it is expected that 289 persons would relocate from Clark County, which would contribute to the total decrease in population of 0.7 percent in 1998. In Nye County, 22 persons would relocate, which would contribute to the total decrease of 1.9 percent in 1998. After site closure in 1997, an estimated 1,113 households that support the Waste Management Program would relocate out of Clark County, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average of 7.9 percent to 8.5 percent. In Nye County, an estimated eight households would relocate out of the area, which would cause the housing vacancy rate to increase in 1998 from an average 16.2 percent to 17.8 percent. Environmental Restoration Program. In the region of influence, in addition to the loss of 389 direct positions, an additional 740 secondary positions would be lost for a total of 1,129 jobs. In Clark County, the reduction in 1,073 civilian jobs would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.8 percent to 9.0 percent in 1997. In Nye County, the decrease would mean a loss of 45 jobs, which would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.2 percent to 11.3 percent in 1997. Because of work stoppage in this program, 449 persons would relocate from Clark County, which would contribute to the total decrease in population of 0.7 percent in 1998. In Nye County, a total of 35 persons would relocate, which would contribute to the total decrease of 1.9 percent in 1998. After site closure in 1997, an estimated 175 households that support the Environmental Restoration Program would relocate out of Clark County, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average of 7.9 percentto 8.5. In Nye County, an estimated 13 households would relocate out of the county, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average 16.2 percent to 17.8 percent. Nondefense Research and Development Program. In the region of influence, in addition to the loss of 191 direct positions, an additional 364 secondary positions would be lost for a total of 555 jobs. In Clark County, the reduction of 527 civilian jobs would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.8 percent to 9.0 percent in 1997. In Nye County, the decrease would result in a loss of 22 jobs, which would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.2 percent to 11.3 percent in 1997. Because of work stoppage in this program, 221 persons would relocate from Clark County, which would contribute to the total decrease inpopulation of 0.7 percent in 1998. In Nye County, a total of 17 persons would relocate, which would also contribute to the total decrease of 1.9 percent in 1998. After site closure in 1997, an estimated 86 households that support the Nondefense Research and Development Program would relocate from Clark County, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average of 7.9 percent to 8.5 percent. Work for Others Program. In the region of influence, in addition to the loss of 350 direct positions, an additional 666 secondary positions would be lost for a total of 1,016 jobs. In Clark County, the reduction in civilian employment of 965 jobs would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.8 percent to 9.0 percent in 1997. In Nye County, the decrease would translate to a loss of 40 jobs, which would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.2 percent to 11.3 percent in 1997. Because of work stoppage in the Work for Others Program, 404 persons would relocate from Clark County, which would contribute to the total decrease in population of 0.7 percent in 1998. In Nye County, a total of 31 persons would relocate, which would contribute to the total decrease of 1.9 percent in 1998. After site closure in 1997, an estimated 158 households that support this program would relocate from Clark County, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average of 7.9 percent to 8.5 percent. In Nye County, an estimated 12 households would relocate out of the county, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average 16.2 percent to 17.8 percent. Site-Support Activities. It is estimated that an 86-person workforce would perform these activities. In the region of influence, in addition to the loss of 3,838 direct positions, an additional 7,305 secondary positions would be lost for a total of 11,143 jobs. In Clark County, the reduction of 10,587 civilian jobs would contribute to the totalincrease in the unemployment rate from 5.8 percent to 9.0 percent in 1997. In Nye County, the decrease would result in a loss of 442 jobs, which would contribute to the total increase in the unemployment rate from 5.2 percent to 11.3 percent in 1997. Because of work stoppage for site-support activities, 4,433 persons would relocate from Clark County, which would contribute to the total decrease in population of 0.7 percent in 1998. In Nye County, a total of 345 persons would relocate, which would contribute to the total decrease of 1.9 percent in 1998. After site closure in 1997, an estimated 1,732 households that support this program would relocate out of Clark County, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average of 7.9 percent to 8.5 percent. In Nye County, an estimated 129 households would relocate out of the county, contributing to the increase in the housing vacancy rate in 1998 from an average 16.2 percent to 17.8 percent. PUBLIC FINANCE. The fiscal effects of Alternative 2 are presented in this section. Table 5.2-6 outlines the projected financial summary for Fiscal Years 2000 and 2005 under Alternative 2. The fiscal impact of all alternatives can be determined by subtracting their income statement totals from the Alternative 1 future baseline. The remaining fiscal impact is the specific impact associated with each alternative. Clark County. The expansion and improvement of the county infrastructure would continue to be the primary focus of Clark County fiscal efforts. In addition, Clark County has undertaken the implementation of a county facilities development program as discussed under Public Finance, Section 4.1.3. Under Alternative 2, revenues for Clark County would increase because of increases in population, personal income, and total employment in the county. Assuming continued small increases in revenues and slightly larger initial increases in expenditures (see discussion on capital projects under Public Finance, Section 4.1.3 ), Alternative 2would result in revenues less expenditures of a negative $5,916,000 in Fiscal Year 2000. It is expected that Clark County would achieve a positive fiscal position by Fiscal Year 2001. In Fiscal Year 2005, revenues less expenditures are expected to be $33,627,000. The fund balance (or reserves) as a percentage of current expense is expected to be 245 percent in 2000 and 374 percent in 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, Clark County revenues over expenditures would be $3,414,000 less in 2000 and in 2005. City of Las Vegas. Under Alternative 2, revenues over expenditures for the City of Las Vegas are expected to become positive in Fiscal Year 1996 because of increases in population, personal income, and total employment in the city. Assuming continued increases in revenues and expenditures, this alternative would result in revenues less expenditures of $12,928,000 in Fiscal Year 2000. It is predicted that the city would achieve an increasingly positive fiscal position and by Fiscal Year 2005, revenues over expenditures would be $14,984,000. The fund balance as a percentage of current expense is expected to be 177 percent in 2000 and 267 percent in 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $1,452,000 less in 2000 and $1,451,000 less in 2005. City of North Las Vegas. Expenditures for North Las Vegas are forecast to continue to outpace revenues. Revenues over expenditures in Fiscal Year 2000 would be a negative $7,342,000 and a negative $6,845,000 in Fiscal Year 2005, despite small increases in population, personal income, and total employment in the city. Public safety and capital projects are anticipated to continue to be the largest expenditures. Taxes, which recently decreased (from $10,059,472 in Fiscal Year 1993 to $7,941,972 in Fiscal Year 1994), are expected to grow slowly to 1993 levels by Fiscal Year 2002. The fund balance as a percentage of current expense is expected to be 61 percent in Fiscal Year 2000 and 89 percent in Fiscal Year 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $265,000 less in 2000 and 2005. Clark County School District. Under Alternative 2, revenues for Clark County School District would expand because of increases in population and corresponding school enrollment, although the level of increase would be less than that experienced under Alternative 1. Regular program and undistributed expenditures would likely continue to increase. The school district is not predicted to achieve a positive fiscal position by Fiscal Year 2005. In Fiscal Year 2000, revenues less expenditures would be a negative $15,289,000, and in Fiscal Year 2005, a less negative $11,389,000. The fund balance as a percentage of current expense is expected to be 17 percent in Fiscal Year 2000 and 22 percent in Fiscal Year 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $222,000 more in 2000 and $221,000 more in 2005 because of the decreased expenses associated with smaller enrollments. Nye County. Under Alternative 2, revenues for Nye County would increase slightly because of small increases in population, personal income, and total employment in the county. Assuming continued small increases in expenditures as well, a positive fiscal position is expected to be reached in Fiscal Year 1999. This alternative would result in revenues less expenditures of $1,284,000 in Fiscal Year 2000. In Fiscal Year 2005, revenues less expenditures would be $3,172,000. The fund balance as a percentage of current expense is expected to be 53 percent in Fiscal Year 2000 and 90 percent in Fiscal Year 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $283,000 less in 2000 and 2005. Town of Tonopah. Revenues and expenditures for the town of Tonopah would increase slightly because of small increases in population, personal income, and total employment in the county. Assuming continued small increases, Alternative 2 would result in revenues less expenditures of $74,000 in Fiscal Year 2000. In Fiscal Year 2005, revenues less expenditures would be $71,000. The fund balance as a percentage of current expense would be 126 percent in Fiscal Year 2000 and 182 percent in Fiscal Year 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $5,000 less in 2000 and $4,000 less in 2005. Town of Pahrump. Under Alternative 2, revenues for the town of Pahrump would increase slightly because of small increases in population, personal income, and total employment in the county. Assuming continued small increases in revenues and slightly smaller initial increases in expenditures compared to Fiscal Year 1994, this alternative would result in revenues less expenditures of $210,000 in Fiscal Year 2000. In Fiscal Year 2005, revenues less expenditures would be $300,000. The fund balance (or reserves) as a percentage of current expense is anticipated to be 166 percent in Fiscal Year 2000 and 266 percent in Fiscal Year 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $24,000 less in 2000 and $15,000 less in 2005. Nye County School District. Under Alternative 2, revenues for Nye County School District would increase slightly because of small increases in population. Local sources would continue to generate the most revenue. Revenues less expenditures are expected to reach a negative $1,529,000 in Fiscal Year 2000 and negative $263,000 in Fiscal Year 2005. The fund balance as a percentage of current expense is expected to be a negative 3 percent in Fiscal Year 2000 and 11 percent in Fiscal Year 2005. To compare with Alternative 1, revenues over expenditures would be $127,000 more in 2000 and 2005. PUBLIC SERVICES. Table 5.2-7 summarizes the levels of service that would be required under Alternative 2, and the text compares these levels to Alternative 1. In each case, the current levels of service per 1,000 population are assumed to continue. PublicEducation. A total of 7,928 full-time equivalent licensed teachers were employed by theClark County School District in the 1993-94 school year, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.33. To continue with this ratio, the Clark County School District would require 11,044 teachers by the school year 2004 to 2005, or 61 less than under Alternative 1. The student-to-teacher ratio for Nye County School District was 16.39 in the school year 1994-95. Assuming this ratio were to be projected in the school year 2004 to 2005, 378 teachers or 6 less than under Alternative 1 would be required. Police Protection. Assuming the same levels of service in the future, requirements for sworn police and deputy protection in the year 2005 can be examined. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department would require 1,695 sworn police officers or 10 less than under Alternative 1. The North Las Vegas Police Department would require 181 sworn officers or 1 less. The Nye County Sheriff's Office in Tonopah would require 15 sheriff's deputies or no change in the number of sworn officers over Alternative 1. The town of Pahrump Sheriff's Substation would require 51, the Beatty Sheriff's Substation would require 5, and the Amargosa Valley Sheriff's Substation would require 3 or no changes over Alternative 1. Fire Protection. The following is a discussion of firefighter personnel expected to be required in the year 2005 under Alternative 2. The Clark County Fire Department, which handles urban-area fires in the unincorporated county, would be expected to require 561 firefighters in 2005, or 3 less than under Alternative 1. Some 403 firefighters, or 3 less than under Alternative 1, would be required in the Las Vegas Fire Department in the year 2005. The North Las Vegas Fire Department would require 119 firefighters, or one less than under Alternative 1. The Tonopah, Pahrump, Beatty, and Amargosa Valley Volunteer Fire Departments would require 29, 54, 28, and 35 firefighters, respectively, which is 1 less than under Alternative 1 except for Beatty, which would remain the same. Health Care. The 1995 levels of service for medical doctors and registered nurses was used to determine future needs based on population growth. In the year 2005, a total of 1,887 (or 10 less than under Alternative 1) medical doctors and 6,653 (36 less) registered nurses would be required in Clark County. In Nye County, 13 medical doctors and 58 registered nurses would be required, which is the same number of medical doctors and 1 less registered nurse than Alternative 1.
5.2.1.4 Geology and Soils
No adverse impacts to geology and soils would occur under Alternative 2 for Defense, Waste Management, Environmental Restoration, Nondefense Research and Development, and Work for Others Programs and for site-support activities. However, geologic media disturbed or contaminated by past activities would not be restored, and would continue to be monitored.
5.2.1.5 Hydrology
The environmental impacts to surface hydrology and groundwater are described in the following sections. Discussions of impacts to water quality and water quantity are also presented.
5.2.1.5.1 Surface Hydrology
The surface hydrologic environment adversely impacted by past Defense, Waste Management, Environmental Restoration, Nondefense Research andDevelopment, and Work for Others Programs would not be restored. Therefore, contaminated surface geologic media would continue to be a threat to any surface water present. The minimal site-support activities under Alternative 2 would not impact surface hydrology.
5.2.1.5.2 Groundwater
Under Alternative 2, the demand for water resources would be significantly decreased to levels required for environmental monitoring and potable water supplies for a caretaker workforce. Water quality might be adversely impacted because of the cessation of waste management and restoration activities that protect the groundwater quality. This, in turn, might limit the availability of water for other uses.
5.2.1.6 Biological Resources
Discontinuation of some site-support activities would lead to the shutdown of manmade water sources in several areas on the NTS. This, in turn, would likely influence the distribution of several wildlife species, including horses, deer, and chukar, and could result in loss of some local populations of these species. A decrease in traffic on the NTS could result in fewer desert tortoises being accidentally killed on roads. However, because so few tortoises have been killed on NTS roads in the past (less than one per year), this decrease would have little positive effect on the tortoise population. At a sitewide level of analysis, there are no anticipated ecosystem-level impacts.
5.2.1.7 Air Quality
This alternative would not adversely affect air quality. Pollutant emissions associated with stationary sources would be essentially eliminated following closure, and mobile source emissions would be substantially reduced. There would be some level of air quality benefit associated with maintaining the site at a reduced level of activity compared with the levels of activity associated with the other alternatives. Site-support activities could contribute a small portion to total emissions. Under Alternative 2, only environmental monitoring and security functions would be maintained. Stationary source emissions would be eliminated. Mobile source emissions would consist of exhaust emissions from workers' vehicles used to commute to and from the site. Assuming a worst-case scenario of about 100 vehicles traveling to the site, pollutant emissions would be as follows:
- Volatile organic compounds: 5.11 tons per year
- Carbon monoxide: 34.61 tons per year
- Nitrogen oxides: 7.60 tons per year.
5.2.1.8 Noise
Under this alternative, most noise sources, such as construction and material-handling equipment, boilers, pumps, engines, and wind tunnels, would be eliminated. A minor amount of noise would result from the operation of security and environmental monitoring vehicles on site. Noise levels would become those typically found in uninhabited desert areas. The major sources of noise would be physical phenomena such as wind, rain, wildlife activities, and an occasional airplane (the wind is the predominant noise source.) Desert noise levels as a result of wind have been measured at an upper limit of 22 dBA for a still desert and 40 dBA for a windy desert. With site-support activities, ambient noise levels of 30 to 35 dBA would probably be a reasonable estimate for the NTS. A minor amount of noise would result from vehicles used by workers commuting between NTS and Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95. However, the noise levels generated by the worker's vehicles (about 100 vehicles) would not be detectable in the noise levels generated by the total traffic (buses, trucks, and automobiles) on U.S. Highway 95.
5.2.1.9 Visual Resources
Under Alternative 2, all facilities associated with each program would be abandoned in place. Only maintenance necessary for safety would occur. There could be a slow deterioration of facilities; however, there would be little change in the overall appearance of the existing landscape. Facilities would not be located in areas of high scenic value and would generally not be visible from any public viewpoints. Therefore, under Alternative 2, impacts to visual resources would be negligible.
5.2.1.10 Cultural Resources
Discontinuance of activities would eliminate many impacts to cultural resources. However, some ground-disturbing activities, such as landfill capping, and construction of fencing, may alter the physical integrity ofcultural resources. Some sites may be affected by vandalism and artifact collecting. Historic structures may be indirectly impacted by deterioration and neglect. Facilities would be evaluated for their potential to provide historical information, and appropriate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) would be completed. Waste Management Program. Direct impacts to cultural resources may result from capping of landfills and security fencing. Capping aggregate will be native soil which may be obtained from areas containing cultural resources. Indirect impacts such as unauthorized artifact collection may occur. Environmental Restoration Program. Under Alternative 2, work on Environmental Restoration Program projects would be halted by 1996. Inactive sites would be abandoned. At some sites, decommissioning may involve activities designed to make facilities safe. Nondefense Research and Development Program: Under this alternative there would be no Nondefense Research and Development Programs on the NTS. Work for Others Program. This program is hosted by the DOE/NV and includes the shared use of certain NTS facilities and resources with other federal agencies such as the DoD. Activities include military training exercises and research and development projects such as weaponry tests. These kinds of activities would be discontinued under Alternative 2. Decommissioning activities might affect cultural resources. AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL RE SOURCES This section describes the American Indian concerns associated with implementing Alternative 2, as summarized by the CGTO. Defense Program at NTS Under Alternative 2, there will be no further defense testing and storage activities. American Indian cultural resources will no longer be impacted by defense activities; American Indian people require further information before completely evaluating the cultural impacts of this Defense Program alternative. Waste Management Program at NTS Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will continue to be adversely impacted because the waste has not been disposed of in a culturally appropriate manner. Access to culturally significant places on the NTS will be reduced because waste isolation facilities increase Indian people 's perception of health and spiritual risks. Environmental Restoration Program at NTS Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted by the monitoring well and access road program, but will be positively impacted by actions that return disturbed lands to its natural condition in a culturally appropriate manner and with the participation of Indian people. Nondefense Research and Development Program at NTS Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted by visits of students and researchers. Work for Others Program at NTS Under Alternative 2, overflights and monitoring required in keeping with International Arms Control treaties have the potential for impacting American Indian cultural resources. Defense Program at Area 13 Under Alternative 2, American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted because there are no plans for additional tests at the Area 13 site on the NAFR Complex. Waste Management Program at Area 13 Under Alternative 2, American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted because there are no waste facilities at the Area 13 site on the NAFR Complex. Environmental Restoration Program at Area 13 Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if natural lands are scraped during environmental restoration. Access to culturally significant places will be increased if environmental restoration is successful, thus reducing Indian people 's perception of health and spiritual risks associated with this area. Indian people wish to be involved in identifying environmental restoration methods and in the evaluation of restoration success. Nondefense Research and Development Program at Area 13 Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted by discontinuing research and development actions. Work for Others Program at Area 13 Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted because no Work for Others Program actions are being planned.
5.2.1.11 Occupational and Public Health and Safety
Table 5.2-8 summarizes the occupational and public health and safety impacts for applicable program areas under Alternative 2. Site-support activities are estimated to result in a collective dose to workers that would not exceed about 6-person rem in 10 years. This dose could result in about 0.0025 latent cancer fatalities and 0.0010 other detrimental health effects in the worker population. Removal of transuranic and hazardous waste from the NTS under Alternative 2 was assumed to require some period of time to fully implement, and accidents could occur during the implementation period. The risk of accidental exposure to radioactive releases could result in a latent cancer fatality risk to workers of 0.016 and detrimental health effect risk of 0.0064. The risk of a single cancer in the worker population as a result of exposure to hazardous chemicals is estimated to be 5.2 x 10-7. The risk of life-threatening noncarcinogenic effects to a single worker from accidents during implementation of Alternative 2 is estimated to be 0.48. A hazard index less than 1.0 indicates that no life-threatening noncarcinogenic health effects would be expected to occur. The health and safety impact to the public from potential Waste Management Program accidents during implementation of Alternative 2 could resultin about 4.7 x 10-5 latent cancer fatalities and 2.1 x 10-5 other detrimental health effects in the population. The risk of a single cancer in the population due to accidental exposure to hazardous chemicals would be 2.0 x 10-5. No noncancer effects to the public from chemical accidents would be expected to occur. The maximum reasonably foreseeable Waste Management Program radiological accident at the NTS would be a multi-container fire at the Area 5 transuranic waste storage unit, which has a probability of occurrence of 1 x 10-6 (1 in 1,000,000) per year. The following consequences are estimated if this accident occurs:
- Involved worker: plume rise from the fire carries the plume over close-in workers
- Maximally exposed non-involved worker: 3.7 rem, 0.0015 chance of latent cancer fatality, 5.9 x 10-4 chance of other detrimental effects
- Non-involved worker population at the nearest major facility area: 0.10 person-rem, 4.0 x 10-5 chance of a single latent cancer fatality, 1.6 x 10-5 chance of other detrimental effects
- Maximally exposed off-site individual at the nearest point of public access: 0.0036 person-rem, 1.8 x 10-6 chance of latent cancer fatality, 8.3 x 10-7 chance of other detrimental effects
- Population within 80 km (50 mi): 1.5 to 26 person-rem, 7.5 x 10-4 to 0.013 chance of a single latent cancer fatality, 3.5 x 10-4 to 0.006 chance of other detrimental effects.
5.2.1.12 Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice analysis involves two tiers of investigation. One is the determination of significant and adverse impacts as a result of the alternative. The other is an evaluation of whether a minority or low-income population is disproportionately affected by these significant and adverse impacts. If there are no significant and adverse impacts, then there would be no significant, disproportionately high and adverse impacts experienced by minority and low-income populations. The location of minority or low-income populations is shown on the figures in Section 4.1.12. The CGTO has identified impacts to American Indian groups as a result of Alternative 2. While not physically located in Clark, Nye, or Lincoln counties, these groups have traditional ties to the NTS and surrounding areas. Impacts include continued reduced access to environmental restoration sites that would not be remediated. However, the degree of impact to American Indian cultural sites would be less than that associated with Alternative 1. These impacts would be perceived only by American Indian groups and would, therefore, be a disproportionately high impact on these groups. No other significant adverse impacts as a result of this alternative were ascertained; therefore, there would be no disproportionately high and adverse impacts to other minority and low-income populations. American Indian concerns include: (1) Holy Land violations, (2) perceived risks from radiation, and (3) cultural survival especially access violations. These concerns for all sites are discussed in Section 5.2.1.10 , Cultural Resources, and Section 5.2.1.11, Occupational and Public Health and Safety. These would only be felt by American Indian people. Therefore, a disproportionate impact would occur. There has not been a systematic study of these issues for the NTS. The CGTO maintains that past, present, and future activities on the NTS have, are, or will impact these American Indian Environmental Justice issues. Although Alternative 2 involves no new activities, it contains the possibility of adversely impacting American Indian Justice issues. For example, if road maintenance is discontinued, it may be difficult for American Indian people to return to the area. Also if DOE/NV Environmental Protection personnel are not available, there may be a difficulty in maintaining consultation with American Indian tribes through the CGTO. Therefore, it is essential to maintain both the physical access to places and the agreement that facilitates access to these places. The CGTO should be funded to design, conduct, and produce a systematic American Indian Environmental Justice study, before new activities are approved. Program-by-program impacts are assessed in Section 5.1.1.12.
5.2.2 Tonopah Test Range
This alternative is defined as the discontinuation of DOE/NV activities at the Tonopah Test Range. All U.S. Air Force and the DOE, Albuquerque activities would remain at planned mission levels and requirements. DOE/NV’s discontinued programs include the Defense, Environmental Restoration, and Work for Others Programs. Therefore, only impacts resulting from the discontinuation of these programs are discussed for this site.
5.2.2.1 Land Use
Under Alternative 2, there would be no impacts on land use. Current restrictions governing access to areas of plutonium-contaminated soils would continue to be in effect. There would be no impact on surrounding land use as a result of the discontinuation of the DOE/NVDefense, Environmental Restoration, and Work for Others Program actions under Alternative 2. Under Alternative 2, facilities would be secured, and overall monitoring at the Tonopah Test Range environmental restoration sites would take place. This could result in the closure of1,616 km2 (624 mi2) of land at the Tonopah Test Range. Because activities are presently limited at the Tonopah Test Range, this would have a minor effect on users. To the extent that cessation of activities would reduce impacts on future land uses, this alternative would have a beneficial impact.
5.2.2.1.1 Site-Support Activities
. DOE/NV site-support activities at the Tonopah Test Range under Alternative 2 would be discontinued. All site support activities associated with DOE, Albuquerque would continue. The impact from these activities would not exceed those impacts identified under Alternative 1. FACILITIES - Facilities used by the DOE/NV would be closed and placed in cold standby. All facility support services performed by the DOE, Albuquerque would continue. Operational activities would be the same as those identified under Alternative 1. Joint-use infrastructure would remain the responsibility of the U.S. Air Force. UTILITIES - Utilities would be maintained to ensure they are free of defects. Utilities not currently used would be shut down and stabilized to the extent possible so that they might be restarted and used at a later time. Water supply systems for DOE activities would remain operational to support DOE activities. The DOE wastewater flow to the sewage system would remain operational. The facultative lagoon would remain in operation and be maintained by the U.S. Air Force. Flows to remote location septic systems would cease as the facilities occupied by the DOE/NV are closed. All solid waste generated at the Tonopah Test Range would be contained in one solid waste disposal unit operated by the U.S. Air Force. This unit would not receive waste from the DOE/NV, but would continue to support all other operations at the Tonopah Test Range. COMMUNICATIONS - The Tonopah Test Range has fully integrated communication systems of ground-to-ground and ground-to-air links using both radio frequency and land line equipment that ensures full support to test projects, administration, and emergencies. These site-support activities would remain open to support DOE, Albuquerque mission activities.
5.2.2.1.2 Airspace
The airspace over the Tonopah Test Range is Restricted Area R-4809. This airspace is managed by the DOE and is seldom authorized for joint use by civilian aircraft, with the exception of critical in-flight emergencies. Currently, limited flying operations occur over the range by the DOE and U.S. Air Force. Defense Program. Under Alternative 2, the airspace would continue to be used by the U.S. Air Force and DOE, Albuquerque. Under this alternative, Defense Program activities would most likely be maintained at the current level of air traffic control and navigational aid service and airspace structure. Therefore, with the Defense Program, there would be no airspace or air traffic impacts. Environmental Restoration Program. The discontinuation of Environmental Restoration Program activities would have no impact to airspace. Work for Others Program. The Work for Others Program that is managed by DOE/NV and associated with defense-related programs would discontinue the use of the Tonopah Test Range airspace. Other DOE, Albuquerque Work for Others Program activities would continue at levels not to exceed those identified under Alternative 1. Airspace availability would continue to be coordinated between the U.S. Air Force and DOE, Albuquerque to ensure mission requirements are successful.
5.2.2.2 Transportation
The environmental impacts related to transportation activities as defined under Alternative 2 are discussed in the following sections. The analysis of transportation impacts is presented with respect to on-site and off-site traffic, transportation of materials and waste, and other transportation.
5.2.2.2.1 On-Site Traffic
The on-site activities would not produce a significant level (or amount) of traffic demand. Therefore, the traffic congestion impacts on the on-site roadways would be minimal.
5.2.2.2.2 Off-Site Traffic
Under Alternative 2, DOE/NV activities at the Tonopah Test Range would be restricted to site monitoring and security, which would generate only an occasional and minor amount of vehicular traffic (less than 25 vehicle trips per day) on the local access roads and on the immediate regional highway (U.S. Highway 6 near Tonopah). In 1993, the average daily traffic on U.S. Highway 6 near Tonopah amounted to 1,095 vehicles. This traffic volume would be far below the capacity of U.S. Highway 6 at this location (in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day). DOE, Albuquerque activities would not exceed levels discussed under Alternative 1. Therefore, there would be no traffic impacts on off-site roadways under Alternative 2.
5.2.2.2.3 Transportation of Materials and Waste
Transportation of materials and waste by DOE/NV from the Tonopah Test Range to authorized facilities, including the NTS, would not occur under Alternative 2. Transportation of materials and waste by the DOE, Albuquerque would be minimal and would not exceed those levels identified underAlternative 1; therefore, no impacts would result.
5.2.2.2.4 Other Transportation
The nature of anticipated activities on this site would not require a measurable transportation demand, direct use of local railroads, nor other modes of transportation. Therefore, direct or indirect effects on rail and other modes of transportation would be minimal.
5.2.2.3 Socioeconomics
The socioeconomic analysis has been prepared for the region of influence, regardless of where employees work. Therefore, the place of employment would not change the effects in any of the socioeconomic indicators. The analysis for this site is included in Section 5.2.1.3. American Indian socioeconomic impacts due to fluctuations in DOE employment opportunities for tribal members from the CGTO region of influence are discussed in Section 5.1.1.3.
5.2.2.4 Geology and Soils
Under Alternative 2, impacts to geologic media, processes, or resources would be the same as those described for the NTS in Section 5.2.1.4.
5.2.2.5 Hydrology
The environmental impacts to surface hydrology and groundwater are described in the following sections.
5.2.2.5.1 Surface Hydrology.
Under Alternative 2, impacts to surface hydrology would be the same as those described for the NTS in Section 5.2.1.5.
5.2.2.5.2 Groundwater.
Under Alternative 2, the demand for water resources would remain at the same levels discussed for the NTS in Section 5.2.1.5. No significant adverse impacts to either groundwater supply or groundwater quality are anticipated.
5.2.2.6 Biological Resources
All scheduled activities would occur in previously disturbed areas. No habitat would be disturbed on the Tonopah Test Range under Alternative 2. The continued presence of radionuclides on 55 acres of land that would occur under this alternative should have no significant impact on biological resources unless those contaminants enter the regional groundwater. Defense Program. No significant impacts on biological resources are anticipated. Environmental Restoration Program. Under Alternative 2, contaminated sites on the Tonopah Test Range, including 55 acres contaminated with radionuclides, would be closed, without removal of contaminants. This might have a negative, but currently unquantifiable, impact on plant and animal populations living on or near that site that would be affected by those contaminants. However, it should not cause a decrease in the viability of populations. Those populations are widespread throughout the region, and the contaminants are limited to relatively small areas. The presence of contaminants in the environment should not affect threatened or endangered species or springs unlessthose contaminants enter the groundwater and are released at off-site springs. Work for Others Program. No impacts to biological resources are anticipated as a result of Alternative 2. Site Support Activities. Under Alternative 2, the decrease in site-support activities would have no impact on biological resources.
5.2.2.7 Air Quality
Because none of the DOE/NV programs would occur at the Tonopah Test Range, no air quality impacts are expected. DOE, Albuquerque programs would continue at present levels; however, no significant air quality impacts would be expected.
5.2.2.8 Noise
Because none of the DOE/NV programs would occur at the Tonopah Test Range, no noise impacts are expected. DOE, Albuquerque programs would continue at levels not to exceed those identified under Alternative 1; no noise impacts are anticipated.
5.2.2.9 Visual Resources
Under Alternative 2, there would be little change in the overall appearance of the existing landscape. Therefore, impacts to visual resources would be negligible.
5.2.2.10 Cultural Resources
None of the DOE/NV programs would occur at the Tonopah Test Range; therefore, no impacts to cultural resources are anticipated. AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL RESOURCES This section describes the American Indian concerns associated with implementing Alternative 2, as summarized by the CGTO. Defense Program Under Alternative 2, there will be no belowground nuclear testing so American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted. Waste Management Program Under Alternative 2, there will be no Waste Management Program on the Tonopah Test Range and none has been identified for this alternative, so it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted. Environmental Restoration Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if natural lands are scraped during environmental restoration. Access to culturally significant places will be increased if environmental restoration is successful, thus reducing Indian people ’s perception of health and spiritual risks associated with this area. Indian people wish to be involved in identifying environmental restoration methods and in the evaluation of restoration success. Nondefense Research and Development Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if natural lands are scraped during nondefense research and development actions. At this time, no actions are planned for the Tonopah Test Range. Work for Others Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if the Tonopah Test Range continues to be a place where weapons are researched and developed. These actions have and will continue to pollute these lands. American Indian cultural resources will continue to be adversely impacted by military training exercises and weapons tests.
5.2.2.11 Occupational and Public Health and Safety
Under Alternative 2, Defense Program activities at the Tonopah Test Range would continue as under Alternative 1. Table 5.2-9 summarizes the health and safety impacts to workers and the public for applicable Tonopah Test Range program areas under Alternative 2. Based on occupational injury and fatality rates for construction activities, the Defense Program at the Tonopah Test Range is expected to result in 2.5 injuries and 0.0044 fatalities to workers during construction activities over the 10-year period evaluated in the NTS EIS. During the same period, no injuries or fatalities are projected as a result of routine program activities. Based on previous occupational radiation periods, occupational exposure to radiation is not expected to exceed a collective dose to Defense Program workers of about 6 person-rem in 10-years. Based on the dose to health effects correlation factors recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (1991), this dose could result in about 0.0025 latent cancer fatalities and 0.0010 other detrimental health effects in the worker population. The risk of accidental exposure to radioactive or hazardous chemical releases contributes nearly zero increase to worker risk of latent cancer fatality or other detrimental health effects. The health and safety impact to the public from potential Defense Program accidents at Tonopah Test Range could result in about 9.0 x 10-9 latent cancer fatalities and 4.1 x 10-9 other detrimental health effects in the population. The risk of a single cancer in the population due to accidental exposure to hazardous chemicals is estimated to be 1.0 x 10-10. No noncancer effects to the public from chemical accidents would be expected to occur. The maximum reasonably foreseeable radiological Defense Program accident at the Tonopah Test Range would be the same as described in Section 5.1.2.11 for Alternative 1 (a failure of an artillery fired test assembly, which has a probability of occurrence of 1 x 10-7 [(1 in 10,000,000)] per year). For Defense Programs hazardous chemical effects at the Tonopah Test Range, the maximum reasonably foreseeable accident also would be the same as described in Section 5.1.2.11 for Alternative 1 (an explosion of a rocket test assembly containing depleted uranium and beryllium, which has a probability of occurrence of 6 x 10-6 [1 in 170,000] per year).
5.2.2.12 Environmental Justice.
Environmental Justice impacts for the region of influence are discussed in Section 5.2.1.12 American Indian concerns include: (1) Holy Land violations, (2) perceived risks from radiation, and (3) cultural survival especially access violations. These impacts are discussed in Section 5.2.3.10, Cultural Resources, and Section 5.2.1.11, Occupational and Public Health and Safety. There has not been a systematic study of these issues for the Tonopah Test Range. The CGTO maintains that past, present, and future activities on the Tonopah Test Range have, do, or will have a disproportionate impact on these American Indian Environment Justice issues. Although Alternative 2 involves no new activities, it contains the possibility of adversely impacting American Indian Environmental issues. If DOE/NV Environmental Protection personnel are not available, there may be a difficulty establishing future consultation with the American Indian tribes through the CGTO. Therefore, it is essential to establish both the physical access to places and agreements that will facilitate access to these places. The CGTO should be funded to design, conduct, and produce a systematic American Indian Environmental Justice study before new activities are approved.
5.2.3 Project Shoal Area
Under Alternative 2, all activities at the Project Shoal Area would be discontinued. The only program that is planned for the Project Shoal Area is the Environmental Restoration Program. Therefore, discontinuation of environmental restoration activities is the only program discussed for this site.
5.2.3.1 Land Use
Under Alternative 2, no significant impacts on surrounding land use as a result of Alternative 2 have been identified. The negligible existing baseline impacts of the DOE monitoring would continue under this alternative.
5.2.3.1.1 Site Support Activities
No impacts as a result of site-support activities would occur under Alternative 2. Existing DOE monitoring activities would continue under this alternative.
5.2.3.1.2 Airspace.
Under Alternative 2, the monitoring activities anticipated at the Project Shoal Area would not include direct use of air transportation. Therefore, there would be minimal effects on use of R-4812 airspace at the Project Shoal Area as a result of this alternative.
5.2.3.2 Transportation
The environmental impacts related to transportation activities asdefined under Alternative 2are discussed in the following sections. The analysis of transportation impacts is presented with respect to on-site and off-site traffic, transportation of materials and waste, and other transportation.
5.2.3.2.1 On-Site Traffic
Monitoring activities would require relatively few personnel (less than 10 people at any given time). There are no public roads on site. Minor vehicular traffic is anticipated; therefore, there would be no traffic impacts.
5.2.3.2.2 Off-Site Traffic
Monitoring activities would generate an occasional and minor amount of vehicular traffic (less than 100 vehicle trips per day) on the local access roads and on the immediate regional highway (U.S. Highway 50). Therefore, no traffic impacts would occur on off-site roadways under Alternative 2.
5.2.3.2.3 Transportation of Materials and Waste
No transportation of materials and waste would occur under Alternative 2. Therefore, no impacts would result from transport of waste.
5.2.3.2.4 Other Transportation
Under Alternative 2, monitoring activities at the site would result in minimal direct effects on rail and other modes of air transportation.
5.2.3.3 Socioeconomics
The socioeconomic analysis has been prepared for the region of influence, regardless of where employees work. Therefore, the place of employment would not change the effects in any of the socioeconomic indicators. The analysis for this site is included in Section 5.2.1.3. American Indian socioeconomic impacts due to fluctuations in DOE employment opportunities for tribal members from the CGTO region of influence are discussed in Section 5.1.1.3.
5.2.3.4 Geology and Soils
No known geologic resources (aggregates, clay, coal, minerals, or fossils) would be adversely impacted at the Project Shoal Area if operations were discontinued. The site is not located on or near any known exploitable mineral resources, fossil beds, unique geologic outcrops, or other unique geologic features.
5.2.3.5 Hydrology
Under Alternative 2, the demand for water resources would be significantly decreased to levels required for environmental monitoring. No significant adverse impacts, either to water supply or water quality, are anticipated.
5.2.3.6 Biological Resources
Under Alternative 2, no habitat would be disturbed, and no other activities would be conducted that might impact plants or animals.
5.2.3.7 Air Quality
Because none of the programs occur at the Project Shoal Area, no air quality impacts are expected.
5.2.3.8 Noise
Because none of the programs occur at the Project Shoal Area, no noise impacts are expected.
5.2.3.9 Visual Resources
Under Alternative 2, none of the programs occur at the Shoal Test Area. Therefore, impacts to visual resources would not be expected.
5.2.3.10 Cultural Resources
Because none of the programs occur at the Project Shoal Area, no impacts to Cultural Resources are expected. AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL RESOURCES This section describes the American Indian concerns associated with implementing Alternative 2, as summarized by the CGTO. This study area is not within the traditional lands of the Indian people represented by the CGTO. It is recommended by the CGTO that the DOE EIS team directly contact Indian tribes and organizations having traditional lands in the Project Shoal Area. The following tribes were suggested: Fallon Paiute, Walker River Paiute, Pyramid Lake, and Lovelock Paiute Tribes. NOTE: The Fallon Paiute, Walker River Paiute, and Lovelock Paiute Tribes were contacted by the DOE in letters dated May 12, 1995.
5.2.3.11 Occupational and Public Health and Safety
Under Alternative 2, all operations at the Project Shoal Area would cease, except for security and environmental monitoring functions necessary for human health and safety, and security. No human health impacts are estimated for the majorprogram areas because all projects and activities would be discontinued. Subsurface radioactivity from past underground nuclear weapons tests would continue to provide a potential exposure pathway for the public. Potential health impacts from this exposure scenario are the same as those described in Section 5.1.3.11 under Alternative 1.
5.2.3.12 Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice impacts for the region of influence are discussed in Section 5.2.1.12. American Indian concerns include: (1) Holy Land violations, (2) perceived risks from radiation, and (3) cultural survival especially access violations. These impacts are discussed in Section 5.2.3.10, Cultural Resources, and Section 5.2.1.11, Occupational and Public Health and Safety. There has not been a systematic study of these issues from the Project Shoal Area site. This study area is not within the traditional lands of the American Indian people represented by the CGTO. It is recommended by the CGTO that the DOE EIS team directly contact American Indian tribes and organizations having traditional lands in the Project Shoal Area. The following tribes were suggested: Fallon Paiute, Walker River Paiute, Pyramid Lake, and Lovelock Paiute Tribes.
5.2.4 Central Nevada Test Area
The only program that would occur at the Central Nevada Test Area would be the Environmental Restoration Program. Therefore, the discontinuation of environmental restoration activities for this site are the only impacts discussed. Under Alternative 2, all activities at the Central Nevada Test Area would be discontinued.
5.2.4.1 Land Use
Under Alternative 2, all actions planned for the Central Nevada Test Area would be discontinued. No significant impacts on surrounding land use as a result of Alternative 2 have been identified. The negligible existing baseline impacts of the DOE monitoring would continue under this alternative.
5.2.4.1.1 Site Support Activities.
No impacts as a result of site-support activities would occur under Alternative 2. The existing impacts of the DOEmonitoring activities would continue under this alternative.
5.2.4.1.2 Airspace.
Fallon Naval Air Station intends to create military operating areas in three of Nye County's rural regions; they would be designated Smoky, Duckwater, and Diamond. The Central Nevada Test Area falls under the Duckwater military operating area. This airspace expansion has not yet been filed, but is not expected to impact monitoring activities at the Central Nevada Test Area. In addition, monitoring activities under Alternative 2 would not include direct use of air transportation. Therefore, there would be minimal effects on airspace at the Central Nevada Test Area as a result of Alternative 2.
5.2.4.2 Transportation
The environmental impacts related to transportation activities as defined under Alternative 2are discussed in the following sections. The analysis of transportation impacts is presented with respect to on-site and off-site traffic, transportation of materials and waste, and other transportation.
5.2.4.2.1 On-Site Traffic.
Under Alternative 2, monitoring activities would require relatively few personnel (less than 10 at any given time). There are no public roads currently on site, and the low level of personnel anticipated would generate only a minor amount of traffic.
5.2.4.2.2 Off-Site Traffic.
Under Alternative 2, environmental monitoring would generate only an occasional and minor amount of vehicular traffic (less than 100 vehicle trips per day). In 1993, U.S. Highway 6 near Warm Springs carried 145 to 210 vehicles average daily traffic. This traffic volume is far below the capacity of U.S. Highway 6 at this location (ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day). Therefore, there would be no adverse traffic impacts on off-site roadways under Alternative 2; thus, no mitigation measures would be required.
5.2.4.2.3 Transportation of Materials and Waste.
No transportation of materials and waste would occur at the Central Nevada Test Area under Alternative 2. Therefore, no impacts would result from the transport of waste.
5.2.4.2.4 Other Transportation.
Because Alternative 2 does not assume direct use of local railroads, air transportation, or other modes of transportation to this site, direct effects on rail, air, and other modes of transportation would be minimal.
5.2.4.3 Socioeconomics
The socioeconomic analysis is being prepared for the region of influence, regardless of where employees work. Therefore, the place of employment would not change the effects in any of the socioeconomic indicators. The analysis for this site is included in Section 5.2.1.3. American Indian socioeconomic impacts due to fluctuations in DOE employment opportunities for tribal members from the CGTO region of influence are discussed in Section 5.1.1.3 .
5.2.4.4 Geology and Soils
No known geologic resources (aggregates, clay, coal, minerals, or fossils) would be adversely impacted at the Central Nevada Test Area if operations were discontinued. The site is not located on or near any known exploitable mineral resources, fossil beds, unique geologic outcrops, or other unique geologic features.
5.2.4.5 Hydrology
Under Alternative 2, the demand for water resources would be significantly decreased to levels required for environmental monitoring. No significant adverse impacts, either to water supply or water quality, are anticipated.
5.2.4.6 Biological Resources
Under Alternative 2, no impacts to plants or animals are anticipated.
5.2.4.7 Air Quality
Because none of the programs occur at the Central Nevada Test Area, no air quality impacts are expected.
5.2.4.8 Noise
Because none of the programs occur at the Central Nevada Test Area, no noise impacts are expected.
5.2.4.9 Visual Resources
Under Alternative 2, none of the programs occur at the Central Nevada Test Area. Therefore, impacts to visual resources would not be expected.
5.2.4.10 Cultural Resources.
Under Alternative 2 none of the programs occur at the central Nevada Test Area. Therefore, no impacts to cultural resources are expected. AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL RESOURCES This section describes the American Indian concerns associated with implementing Alternative 2, as summarized by the CGTO. Defense Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if further nuclear tests occur and if natural lands are scraped for construction. In this alternative, however, there are no plans for additional tests or construction at the Central Nevada Test Area. Waste Management Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will not be impacted because there is no Waste Management Program on the Central Nevada Test Area and none has been identified for this alternative. Environmental Restoration Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources at the Central Nevada Test Area will be adversely impacted if natural lands are scraped during environmental restoration. Access to culturally significant places will be increased if environmental restoration is successful, thus reducing Indian people ’s perception of health and spiritual risks associated with this area. Indian people wish to be involved in identifying environmental restoration methods and in the evaluation of restoration success. Nondefense Research and Development Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if the Central Nevada Test Area becomes a place where weapons are researched and developed. No such actions are planned for this alternative, so cultural resources will not be adversely impacted. Work for Others Program Under Alternative 2, it is expected that American Indian cultural resources will be adversely impacted if the Central Nevada Test Area becomes a place where weapons are researched and developed. No such actions are considered in this alternative, so American Indian cultural resources will not be adversely impacted.
5.2.4.11 Occupational and Public Health and Safety.
Under Alternative 2, all operations at the Central Nevada Test Area would cease except for security and environmental monitoring functions necessary for human health and safety and security. No human health impacts are estimated for the major program areas because all projects and activities would be discontinued. Subsurface radioactivity from past underground nuclear weapons test would continue to provide a potential exposure pathway for the public. Potential health impacts from this exposure scenario are the same as those described in Section 5.1.4.11
Under Alternative 2, all operations at the Central Nevada Test Area would cease except for security and environmental monitoring functions necessary for human health and safety and security. No human health impacts are estimated for the major program areas because all projects and activities would be discontinued. Subsurface radioactivity from past underground nuclear weapons test would continue to provide a potential exposure pathway for the public. Potential health impacts from this exposure scenario are the same as those described in Section 5.1.4.11 under Alternative 1.
5.2.4.12 Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice impacts for the region of influence are discussed in Section 5.2.1.12. The American Indian responses regarding Environmental Justice are discussed in Section 4.1.12. American Indian Environmental Justice concerns include: (1) Holy Land violations, (2) perceived risks from radiation, and (3) cultural survival especially access violations. These impacts are discussed in Section 5.2.4.10, Cultural Resources, and 5.2.1.11, Occupational and Public Health and Safety. There has not been a systematic study of these issues for the Central Nevada Test Area. The CGTO maintains that past, present and future activities on the Central Nevada Test Area have, are, or will impact these American Indian Environmental Justice issues. Alternative 2 contains no new activities, it contains the possibility of adversely impacting these issues. Even though the CGTO has not been permitted to visit the area, the area is especially important due to the concentration of cultural resources. Therefore, this area provides a special opportunity for the DOE to undue past Environmental Justice impacts. The CGTO should be funded to design, conduct, and produce a systematic American Indian Environmental Justice Study, before new activities are approved.Program-by-program responses are assessed in Section 5.1.1.12 and are not repeated here.
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