The overall environmental cleanup strategy at Portsmouth is based on taking near-term actions to control or eliminate ongoing sources of contamination along with continued investigations of other potential sources. DOE works with regulators to further define project sequencing while optimizing resources and utilizing a risk-based approach to ensure timely environmental cleanup and minimize workforce impacts. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) oversees environmental remediation activities at the Portsmouth Site under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program.
Director’s Final Findings and Orders (DFF&O)
The Portsmouth Site proceeds in accordance with the April 13, 2010, Director’s Final Findings and Orders. These are the findings for removal action, remedial investigation, feasibility study, remedial design and remedial action agreement (including July 16, 2012, modification), also referred to as the “Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) DFF&O,” along with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The D&D DFF&O addresses the investigation and cleanup of the gaseous diffusion process buildings and facilities, as well as evaluation of site-wide waste disposition and establishes the agreed upon regulatory framework for conducting those activities under CERCLA.
Steps within the DFF&O include developing viable alternatives then evaluating and comparing them, gaining public feedback on the range of alternatives, selecting a final approach and formalizing the decisions. The final step of the DDF&O was to implement the D&D and waste disposition remediation actions.
The D&D at the Portsmouth Site addressed deactivation, demolition and disposal of approximately 415 facilities identified on the Portsmouth Site. This includes the three gaseous diffusion process buildings that housed the process equipment and was the size of 158 football fields. Other structures include support facilities such as electrical switchyards, cooling towers, cleaning and decontamination facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, maintenance and laboratory facilities, and storage and office buildings.
Records of Decisions (RODs)
In 2015, the Ohio EPA and DOE agreed to a plan to demolish the process buildings and other facilities undergoing Decontamination & Decommissioning (D&D) at the Portsmouth Site. The formal Record of Decision (ROD) for the Process Buildings and Complex Facilities D&D Project details DOE’s decision for the D&D of the plant’s three large process buildings (each more than 30 acres under roof), other facilities, and auxiliary systems.
The decision came following the Portsmouth Waste Disposition ROD agreed to by the Ohio EPA and DOE that calls for the construction of an On-Site Waste Disposal Facility (OSWDF) as part of the remedy for more than 2 million cubic yards of deactivation & demolition waste. Waste that does not meet the approved acceptance criteria for the OSWDF will be shipped off site for disposal at appropriate licensed federal or commercial disposal facilities.
PORTSMOUTH REGULATORY AGREEMENTS & ORDERS
Ohio EPA Director’s Final Findings and Orders for CERCLA Actions to Restore Natural Resources
Ohio EPA Director’s Final Findings and Orders for Cost Recovery Settlement
Portsmouth Decommissioning and Decontamination (D&D) Project Director's Final Findings and Order
Portsmouth Integration Director's Final Findings and Order
Portsmouth Director's Final Findings and Orders, Site Treatment Plan