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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action Unit (CAU) Post-Closure Inspection Report, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada For Calendar Year 2022

This report includes visual inspection results, descriptions of maintenance and repair activities, and recommendations for calendar year (CY) 2022 for use restrictions (URs) at corrective action sites (CASs) located on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) and on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) that are accessed through the NNSS Main Gate. This document is formatted by project activity (i.e., Industrial Sites, Soils, and Defense Threat Reduction Agency [DTRA]); then by corrective action unit (CAU); and then by CAS.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

DATASET RELEASE AND QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW OF LIVERMORE NEVADA NETWORK (LNN) RECORDINGS OF A SUBSET OF NEVADA NUCLEAR SECURITY SITE NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS FROM 1979 TO 1992.

Geophysical research on historical nuclear tests is an important aspect of future monitoring capabilities in seismic research. This research is challenging due to the limited number of digital seismic recordings during the peak of nuclear testing (1945-1992). These limited records are unique and non-reproducible data with potential high research impact. Releasing available nuclear explosion seismic records to the explosion monitoring community is thus of high value and is the motivation for this dataset release. The target of this effort was on compilation and quality control of regional seismic records of nuclear explosions recorded on Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory stations ELK, KNB, LAC, and MNV, known collectively as the Livermore National Network (LNN) (Figure 1). LNN was established in the early 1960s for the primary purpose of monitoring underground nuclear testing at the former Nevada Test Site (NTS), now known as the Nevada Nuclear Security Site (NNSS) following the signing of the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). LNN consisted initially of short-period vertical component Benioff’s recorded on film located at Mina, NV (MNV) and Kanab, Utah (KNB). LNN added two additional stations at Landers, CA (LAC) and Elko, NV (ELK) in 1967 and upgraded equipment to broadband seismometers recorded on frequency modulation (FM) tapes from 1967-1979, followed by digital recordings after 1979 (Jarpe, 1989). The digital recordings were on a variety of now obsolete media, including 9-track, Exabyte, and DAT tapes. Jarpe (1989) describes the seismic station instrumentation details over the period of deployment. LNN recorded valuable non-repeatable unique data of several hundreds of nuclear explosions at NNSS, as well as earthquakes and chemical and mining explosions (Walter, 2020). The details of these nuclear tests are provided in the Department of Energy Report NV-209 Rev 16 (DOE, 2015).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Post-Closure Inspection and Monitoring Report for Surface Corrective Action Unit 417 at the Central Nevada Test Area, Nevada, Site

This report presents results of data collected during the biennial post-closure site inspections conducted in July 2014 at the surface Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 417 at the Central Nevada Test Area, Nevada, site. The every-other-year post-closure site inspections included inspections of the UC-1, UC-3, and UC-4 sites in accordance with the Post-Closure Monitoring Plan provided in the CAU 417 Closure Report (NNSA/NV 2001). The biennial inspection conducted at the UC-1 Central Mud Pit (CMP) indicated that the site and soil cover were in good condition. No new fractures or extensions of existing fractures were observed and no issues with the fence or gate were identified. The vegetation on the cover continues to be healthy. Precipitation measured from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013, totaled 179.6 millimeters (mm) or 7.1 inches. Precipitation measured from July 1, 2013, through June 3, 2014, totaled 157.0 mm or 6.2 inches. Soil moisture content data show that the UC-1 CMP cover is performing as designed, and vapotranspiration is effectively removing water from the cover.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration (SAFER) Plan for Corrective Action Unit 578: Miscellaneous Inactive Sites Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, (Rev. 0)

This Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration (SAFER) Plan addresses the actions needed to achieve closure for Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 578, Miscellaneous Inactive Sites, identified in the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO). CAU 578 comprises the following 11 corrective action sites (CASs) located in Areas 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, and 23 of the Nevada National Security Site: • 02-26-01, Lead (Concrete Box w/Lining) • 02-26-07, Gun Turret w/Lead in Barrel • 03-16-01, U-3auS Disposal Site • 04-26-02, Lead on Instrument Bunker • 06-99-07, Sump • 07-99-01, Miscellaneous Debris • 12-02-11, UST-P-2 • 12-06-01, Muckpile • 12-06-04, Muckpile • 23-12-01, Boiler (2) • 23-99-04, Salvage Yard This plan provides the methodology for field activities needed to gather the necessary information for closing each CAS. There is sufficient information and process knowledge from historical documentation and investigations of similar sites regarding the expected nature and extent of potential contaminants to recommend closure of CAU 578 using the SAFER process. Additional information will be obtained by conducting a field investigation before selecting the appropriate corrective action for each CAS. The results of the field investigation will support a defensible recommendation that no further corrective action is necessary. This will be presented in a closure report that will be prepared and submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) for review and approval.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 578: Miscellaneous Inactive Sites, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada

This closure report (CR) presents information supporting the closure of Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 578: Miscellaneous Inactive Sites, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada. The purpose of this CR is to provide justification and documentation supporting the recommendation that no further corrective action is needed for CAU 578 based on the implementation of the corrective actions listed in Table ES-1.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

An Architectural Survey of the Pluto Test Bunker Facility, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in conjunction with the National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (NNSA/NFO), proposes to reactivate Building 26-2205 as part of a project to detect foundry-type operations with remote sensing. The project is known as the Signals Exploration Testbed, or SET for short. Building 26-2205 (State Historic Preservation Office [SHPO] Resource No. B11558) is the former Compressor Building for the Pluto Program in Area 26 of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). Proposed actions at Building 26-2205 include removal of exterior building and site features, such as fencing, concrete pads, a large steel tank, and visible utilities, as well as interior changes to the building’s floor plan. These activities constitute an undertaking subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 United States Code [USC] § 306101) and its implementing regulations, 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 800.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

A section 110 evaluation of the huron king test chamber, area 3, nevada national security site, nye county, nevada

The U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office tasked Desert Research Institute (DRI) with the identification and evaluation of the Huron King Test Chamber as part of their cultural resources program obligations under Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Huron King nuclear test was a vertical line-of-sight weapons effects test that took place in Area 3 on June 24, 1980. Unique to this event was a specially designed aboveground test chamber that held a model defense communications satellite in a vacuum tank meant to replicate the space environment. Sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency, the purpose of the experiment was to understand the response of the satellite and its materials and equipment to an electromagnetic pulse and attendant radiation. Between July and August 2022, DRI conducted an archival review on the Huron King experiment and its associated test chamber. Subsequently, pedestrian fieldwork was undertaken at the Huron King Test Chamber by DRI on September 29, 2022. During fieldwork, the outside of the test chamber was documented using a Nevada State Historic Preservation Office Architectural Resource Assessment form. This effort included verifying the substructures that compose the test chamber as determined by the archival review, as well as obtaining a detailed photographic recordation of the exterior and assessing its current condition. Notably, the site where the Huron King test took place has been abandoned and almost entirely naturalized. All of the portable instrumentation trailers, communications and data cabling, and winch systems used to retract the test chamber following the detonation were removed after completion of the experiment in 1980. Only the subsidence crater and the test chamber remain as physical evidence of this experiment. Based on these findings, DRI recommends that the Huron King Test Chamber is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) at the local level under Significance Criteria A and C and that it meets Criteria Consideration G for properties less than 50 years old.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Special Analysis for the Disposal of the West Valley Demonstration Project Extraction Cell 2 Low Density Waste Stream at the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

This special analysis (SA) evaluates whether the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) Extraction Cell 2 Low Density waste stream is suitable for disposal by shallow land burial (SLB) at the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS) on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The WVDP Low Density waste stream consists of debris contaminated during the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of Extraction Cell 2 at the WVDP (WVDP 2015). The WVDP Low Density waste stream required an SA because the radium-226 (226Ra) activity concentration exceeds the NNSS Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) Action Level (U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office [NNSA/NFO] 2013). The effect of adding the WVDP Low Density waste stream inventory to the inventory of waste disposed through the end of FY 2014 was evaluated with the A5 RWMS v 4.119 PA model. The results indicate that all performance objectives can be met with disposal of the WVDP Low Density in a SLB trench. Addition of the WVDP Low Density inventory slightly increases the 222Rn flux density, but the maximum mean and 95th percentile flux density remain less than the performance objective throughout the compliance period. The WVDP Low Density waste stream had no significant effect on the maximum mean and 95th percentile for all other PA results. The WVDP Low Density waste stream, therefore, is suitable for disposal by SLB at the Area 5 RWMS.

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DOE OSTI2015

Special Analysis for the Disposal of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory General Radioactive Sources Waste Stream at the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

This special analysis (SA) evaluates whether the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) General Radioactive Sources waste stream (ORNLSOURCES01, Revision 3) is suitable for disposal by shallow land burial (SLB) at the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS) at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). The ORNL General Radioactive Sources waste stream consists of sealed sources and solid radioactive sources that are no longer needed (ORNL 2015). The ORNL General Radioactive Sources waste stream required a special analysis because 26 radionuclides exceeded the NNSS Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) Action Levels (U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office [NNSA/NFO] 2015). However, review of the generator’s method to calculate waste concentration indicates that the concentrations are significantly overestimated. Waste concentrations are recalculated in this analysis using a list of individual sources provided by the generator. One radionuclide, radium-226 (226Ra), still exceeds its action level and a Special Analysis (SA) is required. The results indicate that all performance objectives can be met with disposal of the ORNL General Radioactive Sources in a SLB trench. Addition of the ORNL General Radioactive Sources inventory slightly increases the 222Rn flux density. The maximum mean and 95th percentile flux density remain less than the performance objective throughout the compliance period. The ORNL General Radioactive Sources waste stream had no significant effect on the maximum mean and 95th percentile for all other performance assessment results. The ORNL General Radioactive Sources waste stream is suitable for disposal by SLB at the Area 5 RWMS. However, because the activity concentrations on the waste profile sheet are significantly overestimated, approval of the sheet could potentially allow the disposal of high activity radiation sources. To ensure the generator does not include large radiation sources in its waste stream, a control is recommended on the maximum individual source activity from this generator.

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DOE OSTI2019

CY2018 Annual Closure Monitoring Report for Corrective Action Unit 98, Frenchman Flat, Underground Test Area, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada (January 2018–December 2018, Revision 1)

Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 98: Frenchman Flat on the Nevada National Security Site was the location of 10 underground nuclear tests. CAU 98 underwent a series of investigations and actions in accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order to assess contamination of groundwater by radionuclides from the tests. A Closure Report completed that process in 2016 and called for long-term monitoring, use restrictions (URs), and institutional controls to protect the public and environment from potential exposure to contaminated groundwater. Three types of monitoring are performed for CAU 98: water quality, water level, and institutional control. These are monitored to determine whether the URs remain protective of human health and the environment, and to ensure that the regulatory boundary objectives are being met. Monitoring data will be used in the future, once multiple years of data are available, to evaluate consistency with the groundwater flow and contaminant transport models because the contaminant boundaries calculated with the models are the primary basis of the UR boundaries. Six wells were sampled for water-quality monitoring in 2018. Contaminants of concern were detected only in the two source/plume wells already known to contain contamination as a result of a radionuclide migration experiment. Tritium concentrations in both of these wells, RNM-2S and UE-5n, remain above the Safe Drinking Water Act maximum contaminant level of 20,000 picocuries per liter but declined in 2018 as compared to measurements in 2017. All other contaminants of concern are below the minimum detection level plus analytical error. The water-level monitoring network includes 16 wells. Depth to water measured in 2018 is generally consistent with recent measurements for all wells. Many wells continue to exhibit a long-term downward trend in water level, despite small increases in measured water levels in 2018. The sharp 2016 decline in water level in Well ER-5-3-2 remains unexplained, with the lower level persisting through 2018. Rising water-level trends continue to be observed in two relatively deep wells (ER-5-3 deep piezometer and ER-5-4-2), and also in former supply Well WW-5A. The current supply wells exhibit relatively erratic water levels associated with pumping activities. Institutional control monitoring confirmed the URs are recorded in U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Air Force land management systems, and that no activities within Frenchman Flat basin are occurring that could potentially affect the contaminant boundaries. Survey of groundwater resources in basins surrounding Frenchman Flat similarly identify no current or pending development that would indicate the need to increase monitoring activities or would otherwise cause concern for the closure decision. The URs continue to prevent exposure of the public, workers, and the environment to contaminants of concern by preventing use of potentially contaminated groundwater.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Corrective Action Decision Document/Corrective Action Plan for Corrective Action Units 101 and 102: Central and Western Pahute Mesa Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Revision 2

This revision was prepared to document changes to the data-collection activities. Specifically, the drilling and completion of the wells have been revised, and enhancements to the surface geophysics measurements have been included. Corrective action is needed because underground radioactive contamination exists in these areas resulting from historic underground nuclear testing. The PM CAUs are located in the northwestern portion of the Nevada National Security Site and comprise 82 corrective action sites. A total of 85 underground nuclear detonations took place within the area covered by the PM CAUs between 1965 and 1992 and resulted in the release of radionuclides in the subsurface in the vicinity of the test cavities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 366: Area 11 Plutonium Valley Dispersion Sites, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada with ROTC 1

This Closure Report presents information supporting closure of Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 366, Area 11 Plutonium Valley Dispersion Sites, and provides documentation supporting the completed corrective actions and confirmation that closure objectives for CAU 366 were met. CAU 366 consists of the following six Corrective Action Sites (CASs), located in Area 11 of the Nevada National Security Site: • CAS 11-08-01, Contaminated Waste Dump #1 • CAS 11-08-02, Contaminated Waste Dump #2 • CAS 11-23-01, Radioactively Contaminated Area A • CAS 11-23-02, Radioactively Contaminated Area B • CAS 11-23-03, Radioactively Contaminated Area C • CAS 11-23-04, Radioactively Contaminated Area D

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Submittal of The Final Calendar Year (Cy) 2025 Post-Closure Monitoring Letter Report, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, Revision 1, April 2026

This letter serves as the annual post-closure letter for CAU 98, Frenchman Flat; CAU 97, Yucca Flat/Climax Mine; and CAU 99, Rainier Mesa/Shoshone Mountain for calendar year 2025. This letter will discuss the post-closure monitoring activities that occurred during CY 2025, identify any triggers reached, and summarize water usage on the Nevada National Security Site and surrounding hydrographic basins at the three CAUs.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Post-Closure Inspection Report for the Tonopah Test Range and Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, For Calendar Year 2019, Revision 0

This report provides the results of the annual post-closure use restriction (UR) inspections at the closed corrective action sites (CASs) located on the Tonopah Test Range (TTR) and Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) that are accessed through the TTR/NTTR main gate. This report covers post-closure UR inspections for calendar year 2019, and includes visual inspections and repair activities completed at the following corrective action units (CAUs): • CAU 400, Bomblet Pit and Five Points Landfill (TTR) • CAU 407, Roller Coaster RadSafe Area (TTR) • CAU 424, Area 3 Landfill Complexes (TTR) • CAU 453, Area 9 UXO Landfill (TTR) • CAU 487, Thunderwell Site (TTR)

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

2011 Annual Summary Report for the Area 3 and Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Sites at the Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada: Review of the Performance Assessments and Composite Analyses

The Maintenance Plan for the Performance Assessments and Composite Analyses for the Area 3 and Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Sites at the Nevada Test Site (National Security Technologies, LLC, 2007a) requires an annual review to assess the adequacy of the Performance Assessments (PAs) and Composite Analyses (CAs), with the results submitted annually to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management. The Disposal Authorization Statements for the Area 3 and Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Sites (RWMSs) also require that such reviews be made and that secondary or minor unresolved issues be tracked and addressed as part of the maintenance plan (DOE, 1999a; 2000).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2012

Conceptualization of the Predevelopment Groundwater Flow System and Transient Water-Level Responses in Yucca Flat, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada

Contaminants introduced into the subsurface of Yucca Flat, Nevada National Security Site, by underground nuclear testing are of concern to the U.S. Department of Energy and regulators responsible for protecting human health and safety. The potential for contaminant movement away from the underground test areas and into the accessible environment is greatest by groundwater transport. The primary hydrologic control on this transport is evaluated and examined through a set of contour maps developed to represent the hydraulic-head distribution within the two major aquifer systems underlying the area. Aquifers and confining units within these systems were identified and their extents delineated by merging and analyzing hydrostratigraphic framework models developed by other investigators from existing geologic information. Maps of the hydraulic-head distributions in the major aquifer systems were developed from a detailed evaluation and assessment of available water-level measurements. The maps, in conjunction with regional and detailed hydrogeologic cross sections, were used to conceptualize flow within and between aquifer systems.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Closure Report for Corrective Action Unit 562: Waste Systems, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada

This Closure Report (CR) presents information supporting closure of Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 562, Waste Systems, and provides documentation supporting the completed corrective actions and confirmation that closure objectives for CAU 562 were met. This CR complies with the requirements of the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) that was agreed to by the State of Nevada; the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Management; the U.S. Department of Defense; and DOE, Legacy Management (FFACO, 1996 as amended).

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