Nonnuclear consolidation weapons production support project for the Kansas City Plant

Abstract

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared this Environmental Assessment (EA) to assist the agency in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as it applies to a Nonnuclear Consolidation Weapons Production Support Project (the project) that uses an electrochemical etching process at the DOE`s Kansas City Plant (KCP). The project is expected to last approximately five years. This action is needed to support continued reconfiguration of the Nonnuclear Weapons Complex. AU elements of the reassigned project, except electrochemical etching of solid depleted uranium (DU) components, have been performed at the KCP for several years and are considered ongoing and continuing operations in support of the plant`s mission. The proposed action includes renovation of an existing building at the KCP to accommodate equipment, security and environmental controls, and building restoration upon project completion, including disposal of equipment and wastes. The electrochemical etching process will use a sulfamic acid bath which will be designed to include environmental controls that prevent impact to the environment. Low-level waste (LLW) and mixed wastes will be generated by the electrochemical etching process. No liquid effluents or air emissions are anticipated as a result of this process. Pollution prevention practices will be aggressively utilized to reduce the quantity of wastes generated as a result of this work. The no-action alternative is to continue current operations without assignment of the electrochemical etching process to the KCP.