PNNL-6415 Rev. 18 Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization J. P. Duncan, Editor K. W. Burk T. M. Poston M. A. Chamness M. R. Sackschewsky R. A. Fowler M. J. Scott B. G. Fritz S. F. Snyder P. L. Hendrickson M. D. Sweeney E. P. Kennedy P. D. Thorne G. V. Last September 2007 Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-76RL01830 DISCLAIMER This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor Battelle Memorial Institute, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. 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Available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161 PNNL-6415 Rev. 18 Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization J. P. Duncan, Editor K. W. Burk M. A. Chamness R. A. Fowler B. G. Fritz P. L. Hendrickson E. P. Kennedy G. V. Last T. M. Poston M. R. Sackschewsky M. J. Scott S. F. Snyder M. D. Sweeney P. D. Thorne September 2007 Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC05-76RL01830 Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, Washington 99352 This page intentionally left blank Preface This document describes the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford Site environment. It is intended to provide a consistent description of the Hanford Site for the many environmental documents being prepared by DOE contractors in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). No statements regarding significance or environmental consequences are provided. This year’s report is the eighteenth revision of the original document published in 1988 and is (until replaced by the nineteenth revision) the only version that is relevant for use in the preparation of Hanford NEPA, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) documents. Two chapters are included in this document (Chapters 4 and 6), numbered to correspond to chapters typically presented in environmental impact statements (EISs) and other Hanford Site NEPA or CERCLA documentation. Chapter 4.0 (Affected Environment) describes Hanford Site climate and meteorology; air quality; geology; hydrology; ecology; cultural, archaeological, and historical resources; socioeconomics; noise; and occupational health and safety. Sources for extensive tabular data related to these topics are provided in the chapter. When possible, subjects are divided into a general description of the characteristics of the Hanford Site, followed by site-specific information, where available, for the 100, 200, 300 and other areas. This division allows the reader to go directly to those sections of particular interest. When specific information on each of these separate areas is not complete or available, the general Hanford Site description should be used. Chapter 6.0 (Statutory and Regulatory Requirements) describes federal and state laws and regulations, DOE directives and permits, and presidential executive orders that are applicable to NEPA documents prepared for Hanford Site activities. Information in Chapter 6 can be adapted and supplemented with specific information covering statutory and regulatory requirements for use in an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. When preparing environmental assessments and EISs, authors must consult with the Hanford Site NEPA compliance officer. Also consult the DOE National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR 1021) and Recommendations for the Preparation of Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements published by the DOE Office of NEPA Oversight (DOE 2004). Additional direction and guidance on the preparation of DOE NEPA documents can be found at http://tis.eh.doe.gov/nepa/guidance.html. Individuals seeking baseline data on the Hanford Site and its past activities may also use the information contained in this document to evaluate projected activities and their impacts. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) staff prepared individual sections of this document, with input from Hanford Site contractors with the best available information through May 2007. More detailed data are available from reference sources cited or from the authors. The following personnel are responsible for the various sections of this document and can be contacted with questions: iii Document Editor J.P. Duncan (509) 371-7211 [email protected] Climate and Meteorology K.W. Burk (509) 373-3215 [email protected] Air Quality B.G. Fritz (509) 371-7119 [email protected] M.A. Chamness (509) 371-7221 [email protected] Geology M.D. Sweeney (509) 371-7069 [email protected] P.D. Thorne (509) 371-7220 [email protected] Hydrology G.V. Last (509) 371-7080 [email protected] (509) 371-7068 [email protected] Ecology T.M. Poston M.R. Sackschewsky (509) 371-7187 [email protected] Cultural, Archaeological, (509) 371-7105 [email protected] and Historical Resources E.P. Kennedy R.A. Fowler (509) 372-4332 [email protected] Socioeconomics M.J. Scott (509) 372-4273 [email protected] Noise B.G. Fritz (509) 371-7119 [email protected] Occupational Safety S.F. Snyder (509) 375-6684 [email protected] Statutory and Regulatory P.L. Hendrickson (509) 372-4294 Requirements [email protected] The suggested citation for this document is Duncan, J.P., ed. 2007. Hanford Site National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Characterization. PNL-6415, Rev. 18. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington. A copy of the document is available, upon request, from Joanne P. Duncan at (509) 371-7211. The document is also available electronically at http://www.pnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-6415Rev18.pdf. iv Acknowledgements As editor of Revision 18 of the National Environmental Policy Act Characterization report, I would like to thank Duane A. Neitzel, who retired from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory during 2006, for his past endeavors and contributions to this document. I would also recognize the authors of the individual sections for their efforts and cooperation in preparing this description of the Hanford Site environment. Appreciation is extended to the PNNL, DOE, and other Hanford contractor staff for their review of the document. This year’s reviewers include Theresa Aldridge, Bruce Bjornstad, Dennis Bowser, Kali Brandt, Bob Carosino, Doug Chapin, Cliff Clark, Kevin Clarke, Katie Cort, Dave Geist, Tom Ferns, Ken Gano, Mike Jansky, Tom Marceau, Kathy Rhoads, Connie Smith, Darby Stapp, Regan Weeks, and Jaime Zeisloft. Special thanks go to Woody Russell and Annabelle Rodriguez of DOE for their support and to Terri Gilbride and Brian Miller of PNNL for their assistance. J.P. Duncan v This page intentionally left blank vi Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols AAS Associate in Applied Science ACL Administrative Control Level ADT Average daily traffic AEA Atomic Energy Act ALE Arid Lands Ecology Reserve Unit ANSS Advanced National Seismic System ARAR Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act BCAA Benton Clean Air Authority BCRFD Benton County Rural Fire Department BFCOG Benton Franklin Council of Governments BFT Benton Franklin Transit BLM U.S. Bureau of Land Management BLS Bureau of Labor Statistics BNI Bechtel National Inc. BNSF Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway BPA Bonneville Power Administration BWIP Basalt Waste Isolation Plant CAA Clean Air Act CBC Columbia Basin College CCP Comprehensive Conservation Plan CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CFR Code of Federal Regulations CNG Cascade Natural Gas Corporation Corps U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CREHST Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology CRITFC Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission CWA Clean Water Act dB Decibels dBA A-weighted sound level DCG Derived concentration guides DNR Washington State Department of Natural Resources DOC U.S. Department of Commerce DOE U.S. Department of Energy DOE-ORP U.S. Department of Energy, Office of River Protection DOE/RL U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office DOH Washington State Department of Health DOI U.S. Department of the Interior vii Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols (cont’d.) DOL U.S. Department of Labor DWS Drinking water standards E/Q