Development of a Waste Containment Structure for the Niagara Falls Storage Site

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Energy established the Niagara Falls Storage Site near Lewiston, New York for the short-term (interim) storage of low-level radioactive wastes and residues. This paper describes the development of a containment structure for the waste materials and residues. Also describes is the monitoring system that will be used to measure the performance of the containment structure. The interim containment structure can be modified to accommodate the waste materials for an effective design life of 200 to 1,000 years, thus serving as a long-term disposal facility. The means to be used for ultimate disposition of the waste will be announced in the Department of Energy's Record of Decision, which is the culmination of the National Environmental Policy Act process conducted prior to the implementation of any federal action that could have a significant impact on the environment.