Laserfiche WebLink
Introduction <br />On June 24, 2010, representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) <br />accompanied by a representative of California's Certified Unified Program Agency <br />(CUPA) conducted an unannounced compliance evaluation inspection (CEI) of Lawrence <br />Livermore National Laboratory, Site 300 ("Site 300"). <br />The purpose of the inspection was to determine Site 300's compliance with applicable <br />federal environmental statutes and regulations, and in particular, the Resource <br />Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, the regulations provided in the <br />Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter 40, Parts 261-265, 268, 273, and 279, and <br />the California Code Regulations (CCR), Title 22, Division 4.5 and the California Health <br />and Safety Code, Division 20. <br />The inspectors conducted a physical inspection of the facility and reviewed records. This <br />inspection report summarizes the events that transpired during the inspection, including <br />observations and findings made by the inspectors. <br />Facility Background <br />Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by the Lawrence Livermore National <br />Security, LLC, for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. <br />It is situated on 7,000 acres in the rural foothills of Alameda and San Joaquin counties. <br />Site 300 was established in 1955 as a non-nuclear explosives test facility to support <br />Livermore Laboratory's national security mission. Operations at Site 300 supports the <br />Laboratory's nuclear weapons program by assessing the operation of non-nuclear weapon <br />components using hydrodynamic testing and advanced diagnostics, such as high-speed <br />optics and X-ray radiography. <br />The facility's operations include chemical formulation of explosives, machining <br />explosive charges, and assembling machined charges prior to being sent to the on-site test <br />firing facilities. Hazardous waste generated from these activities is sent to the on-site <br />waste management center for treatment, packaging, storage, and eventual shipment to an <br />off-site disposal facility. <br />In 1996, California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued a <br />Hazardous Waste Facility Permit (HWFP) for the operations of two areas within the <br />facility, the Explosive Waste Storage Facility (EWSF) and the Container Storage Area <br />(CSA). In 1997, DTSC, issued a second HWFP for the operation of a third area, the <br />Explosives Waste Treatment Facility (EWTF). In 2005, Site 300 submitted a <br />consolidated permit renewal application for the CSA, EWSF, and EWTF areas. The <br />permit allows Site 300 to store hazardous waste for up to one year. The consolidated <br />permit is currently being reviewed at DTSC. As part of the permit renewal process an <br />ecological risk assessment is being conducted. <br />