Availability of a Proposed Plan for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Corps of Engineers

Availability of a Proposed Plan for the Formerly Utilized Sites

Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP)

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: During the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, the Ashland 1 (including

Seaway Area D) and Ashland 2 Sites became contaminated as a result of

disposal and relocation of residues from uranium processing, performed

in support of the nation's early atomic energy program, at the Linde

Site. The sites are being addressed under the Formerly Utilized Sites

Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). In December 1989, the U.S. Department

of Energy (DOE) published a Notice of Intent to complete a Remedial

Investigation/Feasibility Study-Environmental Impact Statement (RI/FS-

EIS) for the Tonawanda (Ashland 1, 2, Seaway D, and Linde) Site. Since

the issuance of that notice, DOE established a policy in June 1994 of

incorporating National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) values into

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

(CERCLA) documentation. In accordance with that policy, likewise, the

Corps does not intend to issue a separate Environmental Impact

Statement for the Tonawanda Site. The Proposed Plan summarizes the

findings of the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility

[[Page 63136]]

Study and identifies the preferred alternative for Ashland 1 (including

Seaway Area D) and Ashland 2. The preferred alternative includes:

Complete Excavation with Offsite Disposal of radioactively contaminated

materials that exceed the 40 picocurie per gram Thorium-230 guideline.

The Administrative Record file was established to support the Remedial

Investigation and Feasibility Study at Ashland 1 and Ashland 2. The

Administrative Record is a compendium of documentation that is compiled

progressively throughout the decision-making process. The file contains

documentation that will be relied upon in issuing a Record of Decision

for Ashland 1 and Ashland 2. This notice establishes a 60-day public

comment period for the Proposed Plan for Ashland 1 and Ashland 2,

beginning November 10, 1997 and lasting through January 9, 1998.

Written comments will be accepted anytime during this comment period

and both oral and written comments will be accepted at a public

meeting, which is scheduled to be held 7 to 9 p.m. on December 17,

1997, at the Phillip Sheridan Building, 3200 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore,

NY.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Copies of the Proposed Plan and further information may be requested

from: U.S. Corps of Engineers, FUSRAP Public Information Center, 70

Pearce Avenue, Tonawanda, NY 14150, Telephone (716) 871-9660, ATTN: Ms.

Sarah Snyder. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through

Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments will be accepted if

postmarked by January 8 at the following address: U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, FUSRAP Public Information Center, 70 Pearce Avenue,

Tonawanda, NY 14150, ATTN: Ms. Sarah Snyder.

Gregory D. Showalter,

Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-31035 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]

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