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Hanford Superfund Site Partners
USDOE Richland Operations Office oversees the bulk of the management of the Hanford Site, including the restoration of the Columbia River corridor and the transition of the Central Plateau for waste treatment and long-term storage. The Office is also responsible for moving 1,200 metric tons (1,320 tons) of spent fuel away from the River Corridor, stabilizing 3.6 metric tons (4 tons) of plutonium, storing reactors safely, demolishing old facilities along the Columbia River, remediating groundwater, and performing a variety of other cleanup activities.
USDOE Office of River Protection was created in 1998 by the U.S. Congress for managing USDOE’s Tank Waste Retrieval, Treatment, and Disposal Project at Hanford. Its mission is to protect the Columbia River by managing the program to remove the waste from the tanks, store and dispose of the waste (through vitrification), and close the tank farms.
Washington State Department of Ecology regulates some of USDOE’s activities. They are responsible for overseeing the treatment and storage of tank waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and for implementing the state’s cleanup regulations.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulating activities conducted by USDOE. It has lead oversight for the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) cleanup activities that include removal and transfer of spent nuclear fuel from corroding storage pools to safer storage areas, groundwater cleanup and removal of soil and buildings contaminated with hazardous substances. EPA also has oversight responsibility for the RCRA program implemented by the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Hanford Advisory Board is an independent and non-partisan body created in 1994 by the Tri-Parties to advise all three agencies on major cleanup policy decisions related to the cleanup. Described in its charter as “...an independent, non-partisan, and broadly representative body consisting of a balanced mix of the diverse interests that are affected by Hanford cleanup issues,” the Hanford Advisory Board represents a broad range of stakeholder interests including environmental, cultural and socioeconomic; Hanford Site employees; public interest; local government; and Federal and State agencies. Two of three affected tribal governments are also represented, while the one other tribal government participates in an ex-officio status. The Board has researched and provided advice on issues ranging from spending and budget priorities to technical recommendations on removing tank waste to public involvement.
The Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Radiation Protection is involved in the regulation, oversight, and support of several different programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Hanford Site:
- Environmental Radiation Monitoring and Assessment Section: provides oversight of the of the U.S. Department of Energy radiation monitoring programs. By independently verify the quality of USDOE monitoring programs through conducting split, collocated and independent sampling at locations having the potential to release radionuclides to the environment.
- Radioactive Air Emissions Section: regulates the radioactive air emissions from the Hanford Site ensuring compliance with both Chapter 246-247 WAC “Radiation Protection – Air Emissions” and 40 CFR 61 Subpart H “National Emissions Standards for Emissions of Radionuclides other than Radon from Department of Energy Facilities”.
- Waste Management Section: licenses and regulates the commercial low-level radioactive waste disposal site (US Ecology) located in the central portion of the Hanford Site.
- Radiological Emergency Preparedness: maintains the plans and procedures for the Department of Health’s response to all radiological emergencies including supporting any radiological emergency at the Hanford Site.
Oregon Office of Energy is the lead Oregon agency that deals with issues from the Hanford Site. It is responsible for monitoring cleanup and other activities at the Hanford Site and the downstream Columbia River environment. Oregon staff work with USDOE and local governments on safe transport of Hanford nuclear wastes through Oregon. Staff also support the Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board, which recommends Policy and gives advice to the Oregon Governor on Hanford Site issues. The Oregon Office of Energy also covers emergency response and public involvement for the State of Oregon.
Hanford Superfund Site Homepage
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[ Superfund | FOIA | Records Center ]
Point of contact: Dennis Faulk
E-Mail: faulk.dennis@epa.gov
Phone Number: (509)376-8631
Last Updated: 04/09/2008
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