The purpose of the proposed borehole drilling activities is to collect data on in situ rock formations that are considered in the National Waste Terminal Storage (NWTS) Program to be potentially suitable for nuclear waste repositories. The objective of the NWTS Program is to provide the capability to safely dispose of commercial radioactive waste shipped to a federal repository as required by 10 CFR 50, Appendix F, and any other waste that must be delivered to the repository for terminal storage. The technical program efforts necessary to identify and certify specific underground waste facility sites in candidate rock formations include geologic and hydrologic studies. Borehole drilling is an integral part of the geological studies and is essential to a thorough understanding of potentially suitable geologic formations. Unavoidable environmental impact is primarily limited to the clearing of land needed for access and drilling operations. Considerations exercised during site preparation, drilling, and subsequent site restoration will limit modification of the natural environment to the minimum required for accomplishment of project objectives. The environmental impact on the sites selected for the proposed drilling is not expected to cause any significant change in the existing ecological land use, or social and economic systems. The drilling of the boreholes will have minimal, if any, effect or impact on wildlife. Reasonable efforts will be implemented to ensure the protection, preservation, and restoration of the environment. Precautions will be exercised to protect areas of scenic, recreational, or aesthetic value. 5 figs., 7 tabs. (ERA citation 10:033377)
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