Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) and its Associated Naval Reactor Plants Environmental Impact Statement Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) Public Scoping

June 2019

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Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) History

USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 as the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. After more than 50 years of service and one million miles safely steamed on nuclear power, the ship was decommissioned in 2017. USS Enterprise played an essential part in many of the world’s major conflicts and served the Navy and the nation well.

The U.S. Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the disposal of the decommissioned, defueled ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) and its associated naval reactor plants. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a cooperating agency on the EIS/OEIS.

USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 as the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. After more than 50 years of service and one million miles safely steamed, the ship was decommissioned in 2017. Ex-Enterprise was constructed with eight naval reactor plants housed in rugged compartments inside the ship. As part of the decommissioning process, the nuclear fuel has been removed from the ship’s eight reactor plants. Ex-Enterprise is currently being stored pier-side at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

In 2012, the Navy prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the disposal of decommissioned, defueled naval reactor plants from ex-Enterprise1. In the Finding of No Significant Impact, the Navy decided to remove the reactor compartments from ex-Enterprise at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) in Bremerton, Wash., prepare the reactor compartments for disposal as reactor compartment packages, recycle remnant hull sections, and transport the reactor compartment packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site near Richland, Wash. The process described in the 2012 EA is an extension of the established program that has been utilized to safely dispose of 133 naval reactor compartments since 1986.

The Navy has since identified new disposal alternatives that may be more cost-effective and better utilize available resources within the Navy’s public shipyards. Therefore, the Navy is preparing this EIS/OEIS to consider these alternatives and potentially others that may be identified during the EIS/OEIS scoping process. The Navy is considering the following preliminary alternatives:

• Partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial disposal facility by removing areas of the ship outside of the naval reactor compartments. The remainder of the ship containing the naval reactor compartments would then be transported

1Final Environmental Assessment on the Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Naval Reactor Plants from USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

INTRODUCTION

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to PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. PSNS & IMF would create eight individual reactor compartment packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site, using the established program that has successfully disposed of naval reactor compartments for over 30 years.

• Partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial disposal facility by removing areas of the ship outside of the naval reactor compartments. The remainder of the ship containing the naval reactor compartments would then be transported to PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. PSNS & IMF would create four individual reactor compartment packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site, using the established program that has successfully disposed of naval reactor compartments for over 30 years. Each package would contain two of the ship’s reactor plants, and thus be larger and heavier than the packages that would be needed to dispose of the eight reactor plants individually.

• Dismantle ex-Enterprise at an authorized commercial ship dismantlement facility, including cutting apart the eight reactor plants into segments for packaging into several hundred small containers for subsequent disposal at established DOE or commercial waste facilities.

The Navy will also evaluate the No Action alternative, which involves waterborne storage of ex-Enterprise.

The public scoping meetings are an important part of the federal government’s process under the National Environmental Policy Act to identify public concerns and local issues to be considered during the development of the EIS/OEIS.

U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program“Over 165 million miles safely steamed on nuclear power”

Navy ships are deployed around the world every hour of every day to provide a credible forward presence, ready to respond on the scene wherever America’s interests are threatened. Nuclear propulsion plays an essential role in this effort, providing the mobility, flexibility, and endurance that today’s Navy requires to meet a growing number of missions. Approximately 45% of the Navy’s major combatants are nuclear powered, including 11 aircraft carriers, 51 attack submarines, and 18 strategic submarines – four of which were converted to a covert, high-volume, precision strike platform designated as SSGN.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors, includes the military and civilian personnel who design, build, operate, maintain, and manage the nuclear-powered ships and facilities that support the U.S. nuclear-powered naval fleet. The mission of the Program is to provide militarily effective nuclear propulsion plants and ensure their safe, reliable, and long-lived operation.

The organic statute for Naval Reactors, 50 U.S.C. §§ 2406 and 2511, codifying Presidential Executive Order 12344, sets forth the total responsibility of Naval Reactors for all aspects of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion, including research, design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants. The Director, Naval Reactors, is Admiral James F. Caldwell, Jr., who also serves as a Deputy Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration within the DOE.

Source: Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Report, July 2016

At the end of a ship’s useful lifetime it is removed from service or “decommissioned.” For nuclear-powered ships, the nuclear fuel is removed from the ship during the decommissioning process. Under an existing program for nuclear-powered submarines and cruisers, the defueled reactor compartments are removed during the dismantling of the ship and transported for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site. The Navy complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for the dismantling, packaging, transport, and disposal of naval nuclear reactor compartments.

The removal of the nuclear fuel from the decommissioned ex-Enterprise reactor plants has already taken place and is not part of the proposed action.

1Final Environmental Assessment on the Disposal of Decommissioned, Defueled Naval Reactor Plants from USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

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PROPOSED ACTION AND PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVES

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Figure 1: Current transport route of defueled naval reactor plants from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site near Richland, Wash., for disposal.

The Navy’s proposed action is to dispose of the decommissioned, defueled ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) aircraft carrier, including its naval reactor plants. The Navy currently conducts similar activities at PSNS & IMF, such as separating and packaging reactor compartments and transporting packages to the DOE Hanford Site for disposal.

The purpose of the proposed action is to:

• Reduce the Navy’s inactive ship inventory.

• Eliminate costs associated with maintaining the ship in a safe stowage condition.

• Dispose of legacy radiological and hazardous wastes associated with naval reactor plants in an environmentally responsible manner.

• Meet the operational needs of the Navy.

The Navy plans to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with three preliminary “action” alternatives and a “no action” alternative. Analysis would include towing the ex-Enterprise to the dismantlement facility.

Single Reactor Compartment Packages Preliminary Alternative Under this alternative, the Navy proposes to partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial disposal facility by removing areas of the ship outside of naval reactor compartments. The remainder of the ship containing the naval reactor compartments would then be transported to PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. PSNS & IMF would create eight individual reactor compartment packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site, using the established program that has successfully disposed of naval reactor compartments for over 30 years. The reactor compartment packages are constructed from heavy steel, are welded to meet stringent integrity requirements, and meet all applicable federal requirements for transportation of radiological material.

As currently conducted for submarines and cruisers, packages would be transported by barge out of Puget Sound through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, south along the Washington coast, and east on the Columbia River (Figure 1). The packages would then be loaded onto a land transporter and moved to the DOE Hanford Site.

This alternative is the same as the process identified in the 2012 EA for ex-Enterprise, with the exception

that the non-nuclear sections of the ship would be partially dismantled at a commercial disposal facility prior to its arrival at PSNS & IMF. However, the following impacts on the DOE Hanford Site would be reexamined:

• Impacts on biological resources.

• Impacts on cultural resources.

• Long-term effects on the environment (ground water resources) from disposal at the DOE Hanford Site.

Dual Reactor Compartment Packages Preliminary Alternative Under this alternative, the Navy proposes to partially dismantle ex-Enterprise at a commercial disposal facility by removing areas of the ship outside of the naval reactor compartments. The remainder of the ship containing the naval reactor compartments would then be transported to PSNS & IMF for processing and disposal. PSNS & IMF would create four individual reactor compartment packages for disposal at the DOE Hanford Site, using the established program that has successfully disposed of naval reactor compartments for over 30 years. Each package would contain two of the ship’s reactor plants, and thus be larger and heavier than packages that would be needed to dispose of the eight reactor plants individually. These packages would also be larger and heavier than those currently transported under the existing program for submarines and cruisers.

As currently conducted for submarines and cruisers, packages would be transported by barge out of Puget Sound through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, south along the Washington coast, and east on the Columbia River (Figure 1). The packages would

U.S. EcologyDOE - Hanford SiteNear Richland, WA

DOE - SavannahRiver SiteAiken, SC

Newport News, VA

Energy SolutionsClive, UT

Waste Control SpecialistsAndrews, TX

Brownsville, TX

DisposalFacilities

Commercial Industry Location

Figure 2: Disposal sites potentially available to accept radiological material generated by commercial dismantling process.

The Navy employs all necessary precautions to protect the public and the environment during the transport of reactor compartment packages.

Commercial Dismantlement Preliminary Alternative Under this alternative, the Navy would contract with commercial industry to completely dismantle ex-Enterprise, including its naval reactor plants. This work would include cutting apart the eight reactor plants into segments for packaging into several hundred small containers for subsequent disposal at established DOE or commercial waste facilities (Figure 2). Portions of the ship that do not contain radiological or hazardous materials would be recycled. Sites in Brownsville, Texas and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia are

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then be loaded onto a land transporter and moved to the DOE Hanford Site.

Because of the larger size of the packages, a larger barge would be required to transport the packages to the DOE Hanford Site and improvements would be needed to infrastructure at the Port of Benton and Hanford transport roads.

For this alternative, the environmental analysis would include:

• Impacts on biological resources from construction at the Port of Benton (fish, in-water habitat).

• Cultural resource impacts from construction at the Port of Benton barge slip and DOE Hanford Site.

• Impacts from construction noise generated during Port of Benton barge slip modification (on-land pile driving).

• Long term effects on the environment (ground water resources) from disposal at DOE Hanford Site.

initially being considered based on established nuclear-powered ship maintenance, repair, and decommissioning capabilities or large ship recycling and disposal services.

Commercial industry has extensive experience that provides confidence that this work would be accomplished safely and in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment. Commercial industry has safely dismantled several civilian land-based nuclear power plants that are larger than Navy aircraft carrier reactor plants. Additionally, commercial industry has successfully dismantled several conventionally powered aircraft carriers in Brownsville, Texas. If this alternative is selected, the company or consortium of companies performing this work would be responsible for identifying how the expertise in the ship disposal and radiological decommissioning industries would be utilized to complete the dismantlement of ex-Enterprise. All work involving radiological and hazardous materials would be performed by workers specially trained for these activities.

For this alternative, the environmental analysis would include:

• Socioeconomic and environmental impacts resulting from new scopes of work in identified geographic areas.

• Impacts of working with radioactive materials in areas that do not currently perform this type of work.

No Action Alternative Under this alternative, the defueled ex-Enterprise would be stored waterborne. The aircraft carrier would require periodic maintenance to ensure that storage continues in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility

PSNS & IMF, established in 1891, is the Pacific Northwest’s largest naval shore facility and one of Washington state’s largest industrial installations.

PSNS & IMF has been safely disposing of naval submarine and cruiser reactor compartments since 1986. In 1990, the Navy authorized a program to recycle nuclear-powered ships at PSNS & IMF. Since 1991, recycling of the remaining sections of the hull has been accomplished in parallel with removal of the reactor compartment for disposal. Approximately 17% of the shipyard’s workload involves inactivation, reactor compartment disposal, and recycling of ships. To date, 133 reactor compartments from 124 ships have been safely packaged at PSNS & IMF and disposed of at a dedicated disposal area at the DOE Hanford Site.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program is dedicated to maintaining its strong safety record. Program principles include:

• Personal responsibility.

• Technical knowledge.

• Rigorous training.

• Safety.

• Environmental stewardship.

• Emergency preparedness.

• Outreach and consultation with the public and with federal, state, local, and tribal partners.

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program maintains an outstanding record of over 165 million miles safely steamed on nuclear power. A leader in environmental protection, the Program has published annual environmental reports since the 1960s, showing that the Program has not had an adverse effect on human health or on the quality of the environment. Because of the Program’s demonstrated reliability, U.S. nuclear-powered warships are welcomed in more than 150 ports of call in over 50 foreign countries and dependencies.

The Navy maintains its environmental responsibilities from nuclear-powered warship design to ultimate disposal. To date, the Program has safely disposed of 133 reactor compartments from 124 ships.

The Program’s procedures for protection of people and the environment meet or exceed all applicable federal, state, and local environmental health and safety laws and regulations. The Program remains committed to this high standard.

To provide perspective on the ex-Enterprise disposal work that will require handling and processing of radioactivity, the nuclear fuel has already been removed from the ship’s eight reactor plants. This defueling work removed over 99% of the radioactivity from the ship. The small amount of radioactivity that remains in the ship is comprised of the rugged metal structure of the reactor plants and metal corrosion and wear products resident within piping systems. In accordance with federal regulations, this radioactivity is classified as low-level radioactivity. The Navy and commercial industry have decades of experience demonstrating safe and environmentally sound handling and disposal of such low-level radioactivity.

The health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment

are of utmost importance to the Navy.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

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LIBRARY ADDRESS

Kitsap Regional Library Downtown Bremerton Branch

612 Fifth St.Bremerton, WA 98337(360) 377-3955

Richland Public Library 955 Northgate Dr.Richland, WA 99352(509) 942-7454

Hampton Public Library Main Library

4207 Victoria Blvd. Hampton, VA 23669(757) 727-1154

Brownsville Public LibraryMain Branch

2600 Central Blvd.Brownsville, TX 78520(956) 548-1055

Brownsville Public Library Southmost Branch

4320 Southmost Blvd.Brownsville, TX 78521(956) 548-1055 ext. 2201

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a U.S. federal law that requires federal agencies to examine the potential environmental impacts of their proposed actions and to encourage and facilitate public involvement in decisions which may affect the quality of the human environment. Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, signed in 1979, is a requirement for federal agencies to consider potential effects an action may have on the physical environment outside of the U.S., its territories, and possessions.

Before a federal agency may proceed with a major action (a “proposed action”), it must first consider the potential effects the proposal may have on the human, natural, or cultural environment. A federal agency can meet its NEPA requirements by preparing an EIS. A federal agency can meet Executive Order 12114 requirements by preparing an OEIS. Executive Order 12114 applies because the movement of ex-Enterprise could be beyond the 12-nautical-mile limit from U.S. shores.

Public input and involvement are fundamental aspects of the EIS/OEIS process. The NEPA process requires public involvement during the “scoping” period and when the Draft EIS/OEIS is available for public review and comment. The public participates in the NEPA process during the following key stages:

Scoping Period: The public can help the federal agency identify the scope of the EIS/OEIS, viable alternatives, and specific environmental topics for consideration in the analysis.

Draft EIS/OEIS Public Review and Comment Period: The public can review, evaluate, and comment on the environmental impact analysis.

Final EIS/OEIS 30-Day Wait Period: The public can review how the federal agency responded to public comments on the Draft EIS/OEIS.

For More Information and to Submit CommentsThe public, including elected officials, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and interested individuals are encouraged to learn more and participate in the NEPA process.

The Navy is now accepting public comments on the scope of the EIS/OEIS, potential viable alternatives, and specific environmental topics for consideration in the analysis. Visit the project website at www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com to learn more and submit comments.

Submit comments at public scoping meetings or by U.S. postal mail to:

Congressional and Public Affairs OfficePuget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Attn: Kellie Randall, CVN 65 EIS1400 Farragut Ave. Stop 2072Bremerton, WA 98314-2072

Comments must be postmarked or received online by July 15, 2019, for consideration in the Draft EIS/OEIS.

Project information is also available at the following libraries:

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

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MILESTONE DESCRIPTION CURRENT SCHEDULE

Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS/OEIS

¡ Initiates the public involvement phase of the NEPA process.

May 31, 2019

Scoping Period

¡ Provides an early and open public process for identifying, defining, and prioritizing issues to be evaluated in the EIS/OEIS.

¡ Includes public meetings and other opportunities to learn more and submit comments.

COMMENT PERIOD:May 31, 2019 - July 15, 2019

PUBLIC MEETINGS: Newport News, Va.: June 18, 2019Brownsville, Texas: June 20, 2019Bremerton, Wash.: June 25, 2019Richland, Wash.: June 27, 2019

Draft EIS/OEIS ¡ Presents the analysis of potential

environmental impacts for each identified alternative.

Early 2021

Draft EIS/OEIS Public Review and Comment Period

¡ Provides at least 45 days for the public to comment on the analysis presented in the Draft EIS/OEIS.

¡ Includes public meetings and other opportunities to learn more and submit comments.

Early 2021

Final EIS/OEIS

¡ Includes updates to the Draft EIS/OEIS and responses to public comments received during the Draft EIS/OEIS comment period.

Summer 2022

30-Day Wait Period ¡ Provides 30 days after the Final

EIS/OEIS is published before the Navy may take final action.

Summer 2022

Record of Decision

¡ Follows the 30-day wait period and consideration of public comments.

¡ Includes selection of an alternative by the Navy.

Fall 2022

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� Opportunities for Public Review and Comment

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT PROCESS AND TIMELINE