Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) and its Associated Naval Reactor Plants Environmental Impact Statement Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) Public Scoping

www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com

June 2019 INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) History Statement (EIS/OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the disposal USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 of the decommissioned, defueled ex-Enterprise as the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft (CVN 65) and its associated naval reactor plants. carrier. After more than 50 years of service The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a and one million miles safely steamed on cooperating agency on the EIS/OEIS. , the ship was decommissioned USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 as in 2017. USS Enterprise played an essential the nation’s first nuclear-powered . part in many of the world’s major conflicts After more than 50 years of service and one million and served the Navy and the nation well. miles safely steamed, the ship was decommissioned in 2017. Ex-Enterprise was constructed with eight to PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. naval reactor plants housed in rugged compartments PSNS & IMF would create eight individual reactor inside the ship. As part of the decommissioning compartment packages for disposal at the DOE process, the nuclear fuel has been removed from Hanford Site, using the established program the ship’s eight reactor plants. Ex-Enterprise is that has successfully disposed of naval reactor currently being stored pier-side at Huntington Ingalls compartments for over 30 years. Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. • Partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial In 2012, the Navy prepared an Environmental disposal facility by removing areas of the ship Assessment (EA) for the disposal of decommissioned, outside of the naval reactor compartments. defueled naval reactor plants from ex-Enterprise1. The remainder of the ship containing the naval In the Finding of No Significant Impact, the Navy reactor compartments would then be transported decided to remove the reactor compartments from to PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. ex-Enterprise at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & PSNS & IMF would create four individual reactor Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) compartment packages for disposal at the DOE in Bremerton, Wash., prepare the reactor Hanford Site, using the established program compartments for disposal as reactor compartment that has successfully disposed of naval reactor packages, recycle remnant hull sections, and compartments for over 30 years. Each package transport the reactor compartment packages would contain two of the ship’s reactor plants, and for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site near Richland, thus be larger and heavier than the packages that Wash. The process described in the 2012 EA is would be needed to dispose of the eight reactor an extension of the established program that has plants individually. been utilized to safely dispose of 133 naval reactor • Dismantle ex-Enterprise at an authorized compartments since 1986. commercial ship dismantlement facility, including The Navy has since identified new disposal cutting apart the eight reactor plants into segments alternatives that may be more cost-effective and for packaging into several hundred small containers better utilize available resources within the Navy’s for subsequent disposal at established DOE or public shipyards. Therefore, the Navy is preparing commercial waste facilities. this EIS/OEIS to consider these alternatives and The Navy will also evaluate the No Action alternative, potentially others that may be identified during the which involves waterborne storage of ex-Enterprise. EIS/OEIS scoping process. The Navy is considering the following preliminary alternatives: The public scoping meetings are an important part of the federal government’s process under the • Partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial National Environmental Policy Act to identify public disposal facility by removing areas of the ship concerns and local issues to be considered during outside of the naval reactor compartments. the development of the EIS/OEIS. The remainder of the ship containing the naval 1Final Environmental Assessment on the Disposal of Decommissioned, reactor compartments would then be transported Defueled Naval Reactor Plants from USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

2 www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program “Over 165 million miles safely steamed on nuclear power”

Navy ships are deployed around the world every hour of every day to provide a credible forward presence, ready to respond on the scene wherever America’s interests are threatened. Nuclear propulsion plays an essential role in this effort, providing the mobility, flexibility, and endurance that today’s Navy requires to meet a growing number of missions. Approximately 45% of the Navy’s major combatants are nuclear powered, including 11 aircraft carriers, 51 attack submarines, and 18 strategic submarines – four of which were converted to a covert, high-volume, precision strike platform designated as SSGN.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors, includes the military and civilian personnel who design, build, operate, maintain, and manage the nuclear-powered ships and facilities that support the U.S. nuclear-powered naval fleet. The mission of the Program is to provide militarily effective nuclear propulsion plants and ensure their safe, reliable, and long-lived operation.

The organic statute for Naval Reactors, 50 U.S.C. §§ 2406 and 2511, codifying Presidential Executive Order 12344, sets forth the total responsibility of Naval Reactors for all aspects of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion, including research, design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants. The Director, At the end of a ship’s useful lifetime it is removed Naval Reactors, is James F. Caldwell, Jr., who also from service or “decommissioned.” For nuclear- serves as a Deputy Administrator in the National Nuclear powered ships, the nuclear fuel is removed from Security Administration within the DOE. the ship during the decommissioning process. Under an existing program for nuclear-powered submarines Source: Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Report, July 2016 and , the defueled reactor compartments are removed during the dismantling of the ship and transported for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site. The Navy complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for the dismantling, packaging, transport, and disposal of naval nuclear reactor compartments.

The removal of the nuclear fuel from the decommissioned ex-Enterprise reactor plants has already taken place and is not part of the proposed action.

1Final Environmental Assessment on the Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Naval Reactor Plants from USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

3 www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com PROPOSED ACTION AND PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVES

The Navy’s proposed action is to dispose of the that the non-nuclear sections of the ship would decommissioned, defueled ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) be partially dismantled at a commercial disposal aircraft carrier, including its naval reactor plants. facility prior to its arrival at PSNS & IMF. However, The Navy currently conducts similar activities the following impacts on the DOE Hanford Site would at PSNS & IMF, such as separating and packaging be reexamined: reactor compartments and transporting packages • Impacts on biological resources. to the DOE Hanford Site for disposal. • Impacts on cultural resources. The purpose of the proposed action is to: • Long-term effects on the environment • Reduce the Navy’s inactive ship inventory. (ground water resources) from disposal at • Eliminate costs associated with maintaining the DOE Hanford Site. the ship in a safe stowage condition. Dual Reactor Compartment Packages • Dispose of legacy radiological and hazardous Preliminary Alternative wastes associated with naval reactor plants Under this alternative, the Navy proposes to partially in an environmentally responsible manner. dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial disposal • Meet the operational needs of the Navy. facility by removing areas of the ship outside of the naval reactor compartments. The remainder The Navy plans to evaluate the environmental of the ship containing the naval reactor impacts associated with three preliminary “action” compartments would then be transported to alternatives and a “no action” alternative. Analysis PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. PSNS & IMF would include towing the ex-Enterprise to would create four individual reactor compartment the dismantlement facility. packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site, using the established program that has successfully Single Reactor Compartment Packages disposed of naval reactor compartments for over Preliminary Alternative 30 years. Each package would contain two of the Under this alternative, the Navy proposes to ship’s reactor plants, and thus be larger and heavier partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial than packages that would be needed to dispose disposal facility by removing areas of the ship of the eight reactor plants individually. These outside of naval reactor compartments. The packages would also be larger and heavier than those remainder of the ship containing the naval reactor currently transported under the existing program for compartments would then be transported to submarines and cruisers. PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. PSNS & IMF would create eight individual reactor compartment As currently conducted for submarines and cruisers, packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site, packages would be transported by barge out using the established program that has successfully of Puget Sound through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, disposed of naval reactor compartments for over south along the Washington coast, and east on 30 years. The reactor compartment packages are the Columbia River (Figure 1). The packages would constructed from heavy steel, are welded to meet stringent integrity requirements, and meet all applicable federal requirements for transportation of radiological material.

As currently conducted for submarines and cruisers, packages would be transported by barge out of Puget Sound through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, south along the Washington coast, and east on the Columbia River (Figure 1). The packages would then be loaded onto a land transporter and moved to the DOE Hanford Site.

This alternative is the same as the process identified Figure 1: Current transport route of defueled naval reactor plants from Puget in the 2012 EA for ex-Enterprise, with the exception Sound Naval Shipyard to the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site near Richland, Wash., for disposal.

4 www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com then be loaded onto a land transporter and moved initially being considered based on established to the DOE Hanford Site. nuclear-powered ship maintenance, repair, and decommissioning capabilities or large ship recycling Because of the larger size of the packages, a larger and disposal services. barge would be required to transport the packages to the DOE Hanford Site and improvements would Commercial industry has extensive experience that be needed to infrastructure at the Port of Benton provides confidence that this work would and Hanford transport roads. be accomplished safely and in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws For this alternative, the environmental analysis for the protection of workers, the public, and would include: the environment. Commercial industry has safely • Impacts on biological resources from construction dismantled several civilian land-based nuclear power at the Port of Benton (fish, in-water habitat). plants that are larger than Navy aircraft carrier reactor plants. Additionally, commercial industry • Cultural resource impacts from construction has successfully dismantled several conventionally at the Port of Benton barge slip and DOE powered aircraft carriers in Brownsville, Texas. Hanford Site. If this alternative is selected, the company or • Impacts from construction noise generated consortium of companies performing this work would during Port of Benton barge slip modification be responsible for identifying how the expertise in (on-land pile driving). the ship disposal and radiological decommissioning • Long term effects on the environment industries would be utilized to complete the (ground water resources) from disposal dismantlement of ex-Enterprise. All work involving at DOE Hanford Site. radiological and hazardous materials would be performed by workers specially trained for Commercial Dismantlement Preliminary Alternative these activities. Under this alternative, the Navy would contract with commercial industry to completely dismantle For this alternative, the environmental analysis ex-Enterprise, including its naval reactor plants. would include: This work would include cutting apart the eight • Socioeconomic and environmental impacts reactor plants into segments for packaging into resulting from new scopes of work in identified several hundred small containers for subsequent geographic areas. disposal at established DOE or commercial waste facilities (Figure 2). Portions of the ship that • Impacts of working with radioactive materials do not contain radiological or hazardous materials in areas that do not currently perform this type would be recycled. Sites in Brownsville, Texas of work. and the area of Virginia are No Action Alternative Under this alternative, the defueled ex-Enterprise

U.S. Ecology would be stored waterborne. The aircraft carrier DOE - Hanford Site Near Richland, WA would require periodic maintenance to ensure that storage continues in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Energy Solutions Clive, UT

Newport News, VA The Navy employs

DOE - Savannah all necessary River Site Aiken, SC precautions to protect Waste Control Specialists Andrews, TX the public and the environment during Figure 2: Brownsville, TX the transport of reactor Disposal sites potentially available Disposal Commercial compartment packages. to accept radiological material Facilities Industry Location generated by commercial dismantling process.

5 www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program maintains an The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is dedicated outstanding record of over 165 million miles safely to maintaining its strong safety record. Program steamed on nuclear power. A leader in environmental principles include: protection, the Program has published annual • Personal responsibility. environmental reports since the 1960s, showing that the Program has not had an adverse effect • Technical knowledge. on human health or on the quality of the environment. • Rigorous training. Because of the Program’s demonstrated reliability, • Safety. U.S. nuclear-powered warships are welcomed in more than 150 ports of call in over 50 foreign • Environmental stewardship. countries and dependencies. • Emergency preparedness. • Outreach and consultation with the public The Navy maintains its environmental responsibilities and with federal, state, local, and tribal partners. from nuclear-powered warship design to ultimate disposal. To date, the Program has safely disposed of 133 reactor compartments from 124 ships.

The Program’s procedures for protection of people and the environment meet or exceed all applicable federal, state, and local environmental health and safety laws and regulations. The Program remains committed to this high standard.

To provide perspective on the ex-Enterprise disposal work that will require handling and processing of radioactivity, the nuclear fuel has already been removed from the ship’s eight reactor plants. This defueling work removed over 99% of the radioactivity from the ship. The small amount of radioactivity that remains in the ship is comprised of the rugged metal structure of the reactor plants Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & and metal corrosion and wear products resident Intermediate Maintenance Facility within piping systems. In accordance with federal regulations, this radioactivity is classified as PSNS & IMF, established in 1891, is the Pacific low-level radioactivity. The Navy and commercial Northwest’s largest naval shore facility and one industry have decades of experience demonstrating of Washington state’s largest industrial installations. safe and environmentally sound handling and disposal of such low-level radioactivity. PSNS & IMF has been safely disposing of naval submarine and reactor compartments since 1986. In 1990, the Navy authorized a program to recycle nuclear-powered ships at PSNS & IMF. Since The health and safety 1991, recycling of the remaining sections of the hull of workers, the public, has been accomplished in parallel with removal and the environment of the reactor compartment for disposal. Approximately 17% of the shipyard’s workload are of utmost importance involves inactivation, reactor compartment to the Navy. disposal, and recycling of ships. To date, 133 reactor compartments from 124 ships have been safely packaged at PSNS & IMF and disposed of at a dedicated disposal area at the DOE Hanford Site.

6 www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) For More Information and to Submit Comments is a U.S. federal law that requires federal agencies The public, including elected officials, government to examine the potential environmental impacts agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and of their proposed actions and to encourage and interested individuals are encouraged to learn more facilitate public involvement in decisions which and participate in the NEPA process. may affect the quality of the human environment. Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects The Navy is now accepting public comments Abroad of Major Federal Actions, signed in 1979, on the scope of the EIS/OEIS, potential viable is a requirement for federal agencies to consider alternatives, and specific environmental topics for potential effects an action may have on the physical consideration in the analysis. Visit the project website environment outside of the U.S., its territories, at www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com to learn more and possessions. and submit comments.

Before a federal agency may proceed with a major Submit comments at public scoping meetings action (a “proposed action”), it must first consider or by U.S. postal mail to: the potential effects the proposal may have on Congressional and Public Affairs Office the human, natural, or cultural environment. A federal Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate agency can meet its NEPA requirements by preparing Maintenance Facility an EIS. A federal agency can meet Executive Order Attn: Kellie Randall, CVN 65 EIS 12114 requirements by preparing an OEIS. Executive 1400 Farragut Ave. Stop 2072 Order 12114 applies because the movement of Bremerton, WA 98314-2072 ex-Enterprise could be beyond the 12-nautical-mile Comments must be postmarked or received online by limit from U.S. shores. July 15, 2019, for consideration in the Draft EIS/OEIS. Public input and involvement are fundamental aspects Project information is also available at of the EIS/OEIS process. The NEPA process requires the following libraries: public involvement during the “scoping” period and when the Draft EIS/OEIS is available for public review and comment. The public participates in the NEPA process during the following key stages: LIBRARY ADDRESS

Scoping Period: The public can help the federal Kitsap Regional Library 612 Fifth St. agency identify the scope of the EIS/OEIS, viable Downtown Bremerton Branch Bremerton, WA 98337 (360) 377-3955 alternatives, and specific environmental topics for consideration in the analysis. Richland Public Library 955 Northgate Dr. Richland, WA 99352 Draft EIS/OEIS Public Review and Comment (509) 942-7454 Period: The public can review, evaluate, and comment on the environmental impact analysis. Hampton Public Library 4207 Victoria Blvd. Main Library Hampton, VA 23669 Final EIS/OEIS 30-Day Wait Period: The public can (757) 727-1154 review how the federal agency responded to public comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS. Brownsville Public Library 2600 Central Blvd. Main Branch Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 548-1055

Brownsville Public Library 4320 Southmost Blvd. Southmost Branch Brownsville, TX 78521 (956) 548-1055 ext. 2201

7 www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT PROCESS AND TIMELINE

MILESTONE DESCRIPTION CURRENT SCHEDULE

Notice of Intent to ¡¡ Initiates the public involvement May 31, 2019 Prepare an EIS/OEIS phase of the NEPA process.

¡¡ Provides an early and open public COMMENT PERIOD: process for identifying, defining, and May 31, 2019 - July 15, 2019 prioritizing issues to be evaluated in PUBLIC MEETINGS: „ Scoping Period the EIS/OEIS. Newport News, Va.: June 18, 2019 ¡¡ Includes public meetings and other Brownsville, Texas: June 20, 2019 opportunities to learn more and Bremerton, Wash.: June 25, 2019 submit comments. Richland, Wash.: June 27, 2019

¡¡ Presents the analysis of potential Draft EIS/OEIS environmental impacts for each Early 2021 identified alternative.

¡¡ Provides at least 45 days for the public to comment on the analysis Draft EIS/OEIS presented in the Draft EIS/OEIS. Public Review and Early 2021 „ Comment Period ¡¡ Includes public meetings and other opportunities to learn more and submit comments.

¡¡ Includes updates to the Draft EIS/OEIS and responses to public Final EIS/OEIS Summer 2022 comments received during the Draft EIS/OEIS comment period.

¡¡ Provides 30 days after the Final 30-Day Wait Period EIS/OEIS is published before the Summer 2022 „ Navy may take final action.

¡¡ Follows the 30-day wait period and consideration of public comments. Record of Decision Fall 2022 ¡¡ Includes selection of an alternative by the Navy.

„ Opportunities for Public Review and Comment