WIPP EXPANSION

SEND COMMENTS ABOUT THE WIPP EXPANSION TO:

Mr. Steve Zappe
New Mexico Environment Department
2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 1
Santa Fe, NM 87505-6303
email: steve_zappe@nmenv.state.nm.us
fax: (505) 428-2567

Dear Mr. Zappe:

I am writing to strongly oppose the Class 3 Modification to the WIPP Permit because it greatly endangers public health and the environment.

I request that NMED deny the modification

1. The mission of WIPP has always prohibited the opening of waste drums. That prohibition was an integral part of the WIPP permit to prevent contamination of the entire facility. That prohibition must be maintained to protect public health and the environment.

2. DOE's justification for the modification is that their "economic assumptions" were wrong so it can save money by opening drums at WIPP. That justification is invalid as it does not meet the legal requirement to protect public health and the environment. Further, the modification request provides no actual economic analysis necessary to support the justification.

3. Full waste characterization and "confirmation" must be done at the generator/storage sites to ensure that prohibited items are not shipped to WIPP. NMED should not approve any request to change that fundamental principle of the permit. The modification also states that NMED's audit and surveillance program at storage sites would eventually cease. Such audits are necessary and must be maintained.

4. Expanding the waste storage area by 33 percent and extending the storage time to one year is inappropriate and unnecessary. Such storage increases the danger of accidents and releases of waste at WIPP. The waste can be stored at other DOE sites.

Please deny the modification!

Thank you,

Name and address