Idaho Chemical Processing Plant's Environmental Monitoring Program Plan. Revision 1

Abstract

This document describes in one location the environmental monitoring programs as established by the Environmental Engineering (EE) subsection at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP). The EE subsection is charged with developing a total ICPP environmental program, including development and maintenance programs for all environmental monitoring. Environmental monitoring programs have been established to monitor gaseous, liquid, and solid waste discharges. In the future, ground water and surface water run-off will also be monitored. The time periods covered to accomplish these goals include both near-term (CY-1986 to CY-1988) and long-term (CY-1989 to CY-1992). The ICPP program is based first on management systems that have developed over the more than thirty years that the ICPP has operated. Over this period of time, a management philosophy and system have evolved that provide for the review of projects for environmental impacts during the design phase and continued follow-up review before operation. Waste management systems have been developed that assure that any waste stream is sampled and analyzed before being released to the environment. Off gases with the potential for contamination are cleansed by scrubbing and/or filtration prior to release. Liquids are segregated according to their chemical and radioactive composition. Liquid wastes are divided into two streams by an evaporation process: a stream for release to the environment and a concentrated stream that is converted to calcine. The stream released to the environment is discharged to a percolation pond where it infiltrates into the ground. Ordinary solid waste (non-radioactive) is disposed on site (INEL) in a sanitary landfill, and radioactive solid waste is sent to an INEL disposal area where it is compacted and buried. Hazardous wastes are shipped off site to licensed disposal facilities.