PNNL

Abstract

The framework for the environmental cleanup decisions made at the Hanford is complex and multi-faceted. There are numerous interfaces and decision pathways. In recent years, the complexities and inter-relatedness of the various interfaces have fostered an environment of frustration and distrust amongst the decision makers. The major stakeholders for the Hanford Cleanup are The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), and The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10. DOE has two field offices at Hanford, the Richland Operations Office (RL) and the Office of River Protection (ORP). Each party has a legitimate jurisdiction over the cleanup and none of the parties can make key decision independent of the other parties. In 1989, DOE entered into a compliance agreement with the regulators (the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order), which established a regulatory framework and compliance milestones for cleanup of the Hanford Site. The purpose of this paper will be to articulate: 1) The process used to collect and analyze the information on cleanup constraints, 2) The technical analysis provided to Hanford decision makers, 3) The principles used to enhance decision making among the decision makers and stakeholders, and 4)How this process is leading to outcomes and eliminating barriers to Hanford cleanup.