Development of acceptance criteria for near-surface disposal of Hanford Defense Waste

The US Dept. of Energy (DOE) is developing specific plans for disposal of Hanford defense waste (HDW). The impacts of alternatives ranging from retrieving all of the transuranic (TRU) and high-level waste (HLW) to disposing of it all near-surface are noted. Even if the waste is retrieved, it will be subject to sorting and additional nuclide partitioning, such that the low-activity fraction may be disposed of near-surface as low-level waste (LLW). Thus, it is necessary to develop acceptance criteria for whatever portion of the waste is determined to be qualified for near-surface disposal, based on decisions resulting from the HDW environmental impact statement. This paper discusses the background and status of criteria development, and gives some of the early results and insights gained from the program.