Niagara Falls Storage Site

Interim Waste Containment Structure Operable Unit (IWCS OU)

Feasibility Study (FS) Process

Prepared by the LOOW CAC, as of December 2011

The IWCS OU FS began commensurate with the completion of the Remedial Investigation (RI) Addendum in the Summer of 2011. A final decision is not expected before 2015.

Key Purposes of the Feasibility Study:

• Define the objectives of the ultimate response action for the materials in the IWCS.
• Develop remedial action alternatives that will be considered and evaluated.
• Conduct initial screening and detailed analysis of the alternatives to be used in decision-making.

The IWCS FS Process:

The FS evaluates and uses the data gathered during the RI. Additional data can be collected if data gaps are identified, but is generally limited in scope. There are 8 steps in the FS process:

1. Identify Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs). RAOs are the requirements that remedial action alternatives must fulfill.
2. Identify Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs). ARARs are the full set of rules and standards that must be met.
3. Identify General Response Actions (GRAs). GRAs identify the range of response actions available to meet the RAOs and ARARs.  These will later be developed into detailed remedial action alternatives.
4. Apply GRAs. Identify areas to be remediated and the associated waste volumes appropriate to each of the GRAs.
5. Identify Potential Technologies. Potential technologies will be identified for the wastes and conditions at the IWCS.
6. Screen Technologies. The identified technologies will be screened against effectiveness, feasibility, and cost.
7. Develop Alternatives. Remedial action alternatives will be developed using technologies that pass the screening in Step 6.
8. Screen Alternatives. Screen alternatives against seven threshold and balancing criteria.

Corps-Sponsored Public Involvement Opportunities in the FS

Corps public information will be created in the form of fact sheets, technical memoranda, public workshops, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) database.

In order to facilitate public involvement prior to the final FS Report, the Corps will produce a series of technical memoranda to address key issues associated with the IWCS FS that coincide with the FS process. The results of the technical memoranda and public input on these issues will be integrated into the final FS Report allowing for public involvement on key FS-related issues during development of the FS Report.

In addition, the Corps has engaged the services of a technical facilitator to serve as a liaison between the Corps and community members on technical issues associated with the preparation and development of the five technical memoranda associated with the FS and the FS final report. 

Corps Reports and Technical Memoranda to be Produced as Part of the IWCS OU FS
Below is a list of the Tech Memos and reports and when they were released or are expected to be released.
Click here for access to the tech memos, reports and backup info.

Waste Disposal Options and Fernald Lessons Learned Technical Memorandum

Purpose: Provide an assessment of lessons from the Fernald removal, treatment, and disposal of K-65 materials. Identify the available waste disposal facilities that are currently licensed to accept materials in the IWCS.

Public Release: July 2011

Date of Public Workshop: September 28, 2011

Meterorological Data Evaluation Technical Report

Potential Health Effects of Hypothetical Exposures to Contaminants from the IWCS Technical Memorandum

Purpose:  Assess hypothetical direct exposures and airborne releases from the IWCS that could impact onsite and offsite air and soil. Will not look at migration of contaminants into groundwater as that has been done separately.

Public Release: February 2012

Date of Public Workshop: March 28, 2012

Remedial Alternatives Technologies Development and Screening (Technical Memorandum)

Purpose: Identify and evaluate all potential technologies for the treatment or stabilization of materials in the IWCS.

Expected Public Release: April 2013

Expected Date of Public Workshop: June 2013

Remedial Action Objectives and Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements Technical Memorandum

Purpose: Identify all potential requirements that will apply to remedial action.

Expected Public Release: July 2013

Expected Date of Public Workshop: September 2013

Purpose: Identify and provide detailed description of remedial action alternatives.

Expected Public Release: 2014

Proposed and Final Decisions

Purpose: Will present the Corps’ proposed remedial action for the IWCS and consider public and agency input in making the final decision.

Expected Public Release: 2015

LOOW CAC Activities Related to the IWCS OU FS

The CAC will be actively involved throughout the FS process, reviewing and evaluating the technical memoranda and providing community input and perspective to the Corps on the memoranda, workshop design and effectiveness, and needed outreach materials. The CAC will also facilitate community information through its web site and the preparation of easy-to-understand information. The technical facilitator is working directly with the CAC to conduct its work and the Corps has agreed to attend all CAC meetings.