CX-260016: Conduct a Study on Effects of Soil-Forming Processes at the Shirley Basin South, Wyoming, Disposal Site (LM 22-17)

The U.S. Department of Energy proposes to conduct a joint study with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the performance of the engineered soil cover at the Shirley Basin South disposal site. This proposed study involves excavation of the cover material itself and of undisturbed portions of the nearby source of the cover material to study the soil formation process at this location. Excavations would extend through the cell cover system to the bottom of the radon barrier. No tailings or contaminated material would be moved at any of the locations. All excavations would be restored at the conclusion of the project. This study supports a larger effort to evaluate the long-term performance of engineered soil covers at LM managed sites nationwide.