Mission Analysis of the Exploratory Studies Facility

The mission of the Exploratory Studies Facility (ESF), as interpreted from the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, can be stated succinctly as, ...to conduct subsurface exploration and testing, in support of site suitability determination and license application, in a manner that protects the environment and nuclear waste isolation capabilities of the site. The objective of the ESF mission analysis effort was to expand this general mission statement to the explicit program needs that must be fulfilled by an ESF during the site characterization program. The scope of the ESF mission analysis was limited to the specification of test requirements that must be satisfied by an ESF in support of site characterization and, if the site is determined to be suitable, license application for construction of a geologic repository. The time period covers from initiation of ESF testing through either Presidential recommendation a a geologic repository or Secretarial determination of unsuitability as a geologic repository, whichever comes first. The analysis stems from the requirements contained in the Physical System Requirements (PSR)-Dispose of Waste document and draws upon the extensive technical knowledge behind preparation of the Site Characterization Program Baseline (SCPB).