Hanford Site Environmental Report for Calendar Year 2000

Abstract

DISCLAIMERThis report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. This report is a summary of major or significant activities occurring at the Hanford Site only, and is not a full disclosure of all details associated with Hanfordrelated activities, nor a substitute for legally required information subject to reporting requirements regarding releases, violations, etc. PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY operated by iii U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5400.1, "General Environmental Protection Program," establishes the requirement for environmental protection programs at DOE sites and facilities. These programs ensure that DOE operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, executive orders, and department policies. This Hanford Site environmental report is prepared annually pursuant to DOE Orders 5400.1 and 231.1, "Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting," and DOE M 231.1-1, Environment, Safety and Health Reporting Manual, to summarize environmental data that characterize Hanford Site environmental management performance and demonstrate compliance status. The report also highlights significant environmental programs and efforts. More detailed environmental compliance, monitoring, surveillance, and study reports may be of value; therefore, to the extent practical, these additional reports have been referenced in Summary vii Regulation What it Covers 2000 Status Safe Drinking Water Act Drinking water supplies operated All Hanford drinking water systems by DOE were in compliance with guidelines according to the Washington State Department of Health. There was one exception on February 3, 2000, when sampling results showed the maximum contaminant level of coliform bacteria was exceeded at the 200-East Area, but no E.coli were found. 2000 Annual Environmental Report viii What was Monitored? The Bottom Line Air Air sampling equipment collected All measurements of radioactive and nonparticles and gases, which were radioactive materials in air were below analyzed for radioactive and non-recommended guidelines. radioactive materials. Air was sampled at 110 locations on Hanford, 11 perimeter locations, 8 nearby communities, and 2 distant communities. Columbia River Water Columbia River water was collected As in past years, small amounts of radiofrom 15 locations throughout the year. active materials were detected downriver Water samples were analyzed for from Hanford. However, the amounts were radioactive and chemical materials. all far below federal and state limits. Dur-Water in the Columbia River continues ing 2000, there was no indication of any to be designated Class A (Excellent) by deterioration of Columbia River water th...

Arsenic, lead, and other trace elements in soils contaminated with pesticide residues at the Hanford site (USA)

“…The Hanford site was acquired by the U.S. government in 1943 in order to produce plutonium for some of the nuclear weapons tested and used in World War II (Poston et al, 2001). As such, Hanford was the first plutonium production facility in the world.…”

“…Historic operations at Hanford resulted in the production of both radiological and nonradiological wastes in liquid, solid, and gaseous forms. These wastes were placed in various disposal sites at Hanford, including trenches, cribs, ditches, ponds, and underground tanks (Poston et al, 2001). In addition to wastes associated with past Hanford operations, other sources of contamination have impacted the site.…”

“…For example, heavy metals generated from upriver mining and smelting activities have been transported down the Columbia River (Johnson et al, 1990) to the Hanford site (PNNL, 1998). Also, contaminants associated with past and present agricultural practices have contributed to the contaminant inventory at the Hanford site (Sharpe, 1999;Poston et al, 2001).…”

Hanford Site Raptor Nest Monitoring Report for Calendar Year 2013

“…Thirteen raptor species have been recorded nesting on the Hanford Site, including eight species of diurnal raptors and five species of owls (Table 1). Several of these species are on state and federal threatened and endangered species lists (WDFW 2013 (Olendorff 1973;Fitzner et al 1977;Fitzner 1978, 1980, Fitzner et al 1981Poole et al 1988;Fitzner and Newell 1989;Nugent 1995;Leary 1996;Dirkes and Hanf 1998;Leary et al 1998;Dirkes et al 1998Dirkes et al , 1999Poston et al , 2001Clayton 2005). However, these surveys were not conducted systematically.…”

“…Ospreys were observed nesting on the Hanford Site for the first time in 2000 (Poston et al 2001). Similar to 2012, three Osprey nests were found in 2013: one in the 300 Area, one in the Hanford townsite, and one near the White Bluffs boat launch.…”