Finding of No Significant Impact for the Use of Existing Borrow Areas Hanford Site, Richland, WA

Abstract

The DOE proposes to obtain borrow materials from existing active borrow pits and quarries on the Hanford Site. The total volume of materials to be recovered over a 10-year period is estimated to be approximately 7,600,000 cubic meters (10,000,000 cubic yards). The proposed action would include ensuring adequate access is provided to the borrow locations. Existing roads might be upgraded, as necessary, to enhance egress. Appropriate utilities would be provided, and might include portable generators or extension of power lines for lighting, installation of trailers for personnel, and portable toilets. Conventional industrial equipment would be used during operations to recover the borrow material. For example, a power shovel or a front-end loader would excavate materials. New or modified equipment and facilities would be provided at the specific locations to provide for crushing, screening, size classification, washing, handling, and stockpiling. Truck loading stations would be provided. Depending on the nature of specific borrow materials at individual locations, select sites might be expanded. For analysis, it is assumed that of the total disturbed surface area (i.e., 3 square kilometers or 1.2 square miles), expansion could result in an additional surface area disturbance of 10% (approximately 0.3 square kilometers [0.12 square miles]). The resulting volume of additional borrow material available from expansion would be approximately 1,500,000 cubic meters (2,000,000 cubic yards).