NMED's Significant Roles and Responsibilities at WIPP:
NMED Hazardous Waste Bureau (HWB) actions:
- Responsible for issuing and enforcing WIPP's permit for a hazardous waste Treatment, Disposal, and Storage Facility (TDSF) in accordance with the New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act. State regulations incorporate by reference most federal regulations pertaining to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). [More information on the WIPP Permit]
- WIPP Permit: regulates the hazardous component of transuranic (TRU) mixed waste received at WIPP. WIPP cannot receive hazardous waste unless it also has a radioactive component, and qualifies as defense-related TRU mixed waste.
- HWB WIPP Group assisting with Radiological Release Event including review of Exhaust Filter Building operation and associated Documented Safety Analysis (DSA).
NMED DOE Oversight Bureau (DOE OB) actions:
- Continues to monitor the air at the WIPP and surrounding areas. Exhaust air filters are collected from Stations A and B and shipped to contract laboratories for analysis of gross alpha and beta, isotopic plutonium, isotopic uranium, americium, strontium, and gamma-emitting isotopes (like cesium). The Bureau also monitors ambient air at WIPP, at locations along the Jal Highway, and in Carlsbad. Ambient air filter samples are collected bi-weekly (every 14 days) and are analyzed for gross alpha and beta, isotopic plutonium, isotopic uranium, strontium, americium and gamma-emitting isotopes.
- Continues to monitor gamma radiation (direct penetrating radiation) both on and off-site at WIPP on a quarterly basis.
- Conducts sampling and analysis of soil, sediment and vegetation in the vicinity of WIPP for radiological constituents. Soil, sediment and vegetation are is analyzed for isotopic plutonium, isotopic uranium, americium, strontium and gamma-emitting isotopes.
Laws, Rules, Regulations:
The State of New Mexico is authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement the Hazardous Waste Program. The New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act (NMSA 1978, §§ 74-4-1 to-14) and its implementing Hazardous Waste Management Regulations, 20.4.1 New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC), provide the statutory and regulatory requirements for hazardous waste in New Mexico.
New Mexico Hazardous Waste Management Regulations -- 20.4.1 NMAC [PDF] The Governor's WIPP Task Force - authorized by the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Act [Section 74-4A-2 through 74-4A-14 NMSA 1978]