Overview
EM’s cleanup activities at SNL take place at the SNL section located on Kirtland Air Force Base, adjacent to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Sandia National Laboratories-New Mexico Environmental Restoration (ER) Operations Project scope includes the remediation of inactive waste disposal and release sites, along with the characterization and remediation of three plumes of contaminated groundwater.
The regulatory driver for completing this work is the Compliance Order on Consent signed in 2004 by DOE, the Sandia Corporation, and the NMED. DOE’s approach is to work closely with NMED to complete RCRA corrective actions at the last three ER sites using cost-effective approaches that meet regulatory requirements.
The remaining cleanup scope includes three areas with contaminated groundwater in various stages of characterization and remedy selection — the Tijeras Arroyo Groundwater Investigation Area of Concern (AOC), the Burn Site Groundwater Investigation AOC, and the Technical Area-V Groundwater AOC. All soil sites in SNL’s baseline have received Corrective Action Complete status from NMED and have been transferred to the laboratory’s landlord, the NNSA.
Calendar Year 2022 Accomplishments
- Proposed groundwater remedies to NMED for consideration
Planned Cleanup Scope 2023–2033
In 2023, the Tijeras Arroyo Groundwater AOC is planned to transition to long-term stewardship. DOE will continue monitoring activities and expects to provide NMED with any additional analysis in support of beginning the corrective measure process for the Burn Site Groundwater AOC.
Long-term monitoring requirements are expected to transition to NNSA by 2031.
Key Regulatory Milestones 2023–2033
- None
Post-2032 Cleanup Scope
EM work is expected to be completed by this time frame. Long-term monitoring requirements are expected to transition to NNSA by 2031.