&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Radiation
(6602J)
EPA 402-K-95-006
December 1995
EPA's Communications Plan for
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
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EPA's Communications Plan
for the WIPP
A Commitment
to Protect
to Communicate
and Consult
INTRODUCTION
The public in New Mexico expressed their interest in the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) activities at the
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
This plan describes how the EPA presently—and into the
future—is communicating with the public and other
interested parties concerning EPA's activities at the WIPP.
State and local governments, citizen and environmental
groups, industry, and other Federal agencies play an
important role in these communications.
EPA is committed to conducting an open public process
which include interactions with these groups and other
interested parties. , ." ' .
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Background
Since the 1980s, the Department of Energy
(DOE) continues to conduct research on the
potential of the WIPP as an underground
repository for radioactive waste. The WIPP
is located near Carlsbad, New Mexico. In
1992, Congress passed the WIPP Land
Withdrawal Act, which created a new role
for EPA. In the past, EPA's radioactive waste
disposal authority was limited to developing
standards which were carried out by other
agencies. The Act authorized EPA to estab-
lish criteria for deciding if the WIPP meets
EPA's waste disposal standards. Specifically,
unless EPA certifies that WIPP meets its
radioactive and hazardous waste disposal
standards, DOE may not dispose of waste at
the WIPP. ?
EPA's role in the WIPP includes complex _
and controversial technical and policy
issues, EPA welcomes participation in both
technical and npn-technical matters j
interested parties throughout the decision-
making process. The Agency believes a
successful communication anci cpnsu|ta^Qn
program enhances the regulatory oversight
process and ensures sound public policy
decisions. : : ::
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EPA's Communications Plan for the WIPP
Communications Objectives for
EPA's WIPP Oversight Program
EPA's objective is to keep the public informed
and involved in the dedsion-making process.
EPA discovered—through interviews and at
public meetings—that many people share
this objective. To keep the public well-
informed, EPA strives to provide timely
responses to public inquiries and comments.
Currently, EPA publishes booklets and fact
sheets (most are available in Spanish) on
EPA's role and activities at WIPP and other
radiation subjects, and a periodic newsletter.
In addition, EPA maintains a toll-free WIPP
Information Line, in English and Spanish.
Detailed information on these efforts is
contained in this plan. Finally this plan
contains a list of current WIPP and WIPP-
related publications.
How the Communications
Plan Was Developed
Shortly after Congress passed the WIPP
Land Withdrawal Act, EPA's Office of Radia-
tion and Indoor Air (ORIA) initiated a
program to keep the public informed of and
involved in the Agency's WIPP-related
activities. This began in December of 1992,
when EPA officials traveled to New Mexico
and held public meetings in Albuquerque,
Santa Fe, and Carlsbad. EPA held these
meetings to inform citizens about the
Agency's new role as regulator of DOE's
WIPP activities and to answer questions
about that role. In addition, EPA wanted to
learn how it could be responsive to the
public in this new role.
Through the public meetings, EPA recog-
nized that the Agency needed a way to
identify and address the public's specific
concerns and information needs. In July of
1993, Agency officials conducted a "Public
Communications and Consultation Needs
Assessment." As part of this assessment,
EPA met with approximately twenty-five
individuals representing various interest
groups, including: environmental advo-
cates, private citizens, business group
members, and state and local government
officials. They came from many parts of
New Mexico. The people selected to partici-
pate in this assessment represented a wide
range of interests and opinions regarding the
WIPP. Several of those interviewed were
representatives of larger groups of New
Mexicans. During the interviews, EPA
asked citizens about their concerns and their
interest in being informed and involved.
Also, EPA asked how it could best commu-
nicate with them about WIPP activities.
From the information gathered at the public
meetings, the assessment interviews, and
two years of program experience, EPA
developed this Communications Plan. EPA
is distributing the plan to members of the
Agency's WIPP Mailing List and to anyone
who requests it. Persons who wish to add
their name to the mailing list may do so by
calling EPA's WIPP Information Line.
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Findings from the Public Meetings and
Communications Needs Assessment
The public is not familiar with many govern-
ment activities surrounding the WIPP that
affect them. The major findings from the
Needs Assessment and public meetings
address this issue. EPA based this Communi-
cations Plan, to a large extent, on these
findings. Members of the New Mexico public
made the following suggestions to EPA.
Full disclosure of information related
to the WIPP
They want to receive extensive information on
the WIPP. They want information on EPA's
WIPP responsibilities, other agencies' WIPP
responsibilities, the status of EPA actions, and
t: the relative risks and hazards of radiation and
t -^radioactive waste disposal.
|tearticipants requested that EPA provide
"honest, complete, relevant, and uncensored
information. They want access to various
types of information, including details of
communications between EPA and DOE.
which people can contact EPA for the latest
information on upcoming events.
. , . . -•-..- ,-.. , JL. , • ' • , C/ . •, . , _. - ;-:.'•-.-- -.-'>'*.;: '-7; ;: V •._•
Early notification about WIPP meetings
They suggested that EPA publicize its WIPP
events (e.g., meetings) widely and well in /-'"~
advance. New Mexico's diverse geography and ;
cultures.make it even more important for th;e ..„.. J
Agency to make special efforts to notify citizens r
early. Some may have to come great distances to
attend meetings.
Conduct activities openly and consult the_
public when making decisions """" """
Participants want to have some involvement
iixEPA's decisions ^boutthe .^PP. Such ,, ^ v
involvement is particularly important to New
Mexicans because many feel they were not" *"
invited to participate in the past. They want
the Agency to solicit public opinion on pro- -
posed EPA decisions involving trie WIPP. ""
Meet the needs of the geographically-and
Integrity in EPA's decision-making process culturally-diverse population
The public voiced apprehension about the New Mexico consists of many populations,
integrity of EPA's decision-making process. including Hispanic and Native American
They are concerned that political consider- communities, who would like to see EPA •.
__ ations (and not public health and safety make an effort to reach these people and
I? , considerations) will influence Agency deci- others in remote areas. They recommended
^'"~ - sions.xThey feel that DOE will not provide that EPA provide infomiation thatis under-
/t ^EPA with accurate data. Participants sug- standable to the various communities and ~
£-^--gestedr EPA provide information on the types the Agency distribute information througti
of communications that occur between the -..established. New Mexico^^ community-based
Agency and DOE. They want EPA to explain organizations. . : v1 : , J /i
its approach to receiving and incorporating ...... .. . .; ,.........._-;... . :,.^,, „.,.„,,,,.,_,„
public participation into decisions. : Respond to all public inquiries and
suggestions ;
Include the public in meetings • , , ,
Participants requested timely response to
Participants requested access to events, such inquiries. They want to ask a question,
,.-"" as'EPA's consultations with the National request information,.pr rnake a suggestion__^
s~~pAHyi§,ory Council for Environmental Policy ' and receive a prompt respbhse.^..^^ - «..,
fe^d Technology (NACEPT) WIPP Review , • ..,,,,, :,,_,^.,^,r,
v:i" Committee. In addition, they want in-person - • ;This information aitd t^se^suggestions frorn^
"contact with Agency officials and a method by. " *.$* Public provide the bases for many of the
following EPA WIPP Outreach Activities.
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EPA's Communications Plan for the WIPP
EPA's WIPP Public Communications
Documents and Activities
EPA strives to make its WIPP activities and the decision-making process
open to the public. In addition, EPA makes available, as soon as possible,
all WIPP documents at various docket locations. To help the public stay
informed of EPA's WIPP-related activities, EPA provides several informa-
tion products and resources. These include written materials, electronic
access to information, public hearings and other meetings, and dockets.
Public Information Documents
WIPP Public Outreach Materials
A variety of WIPP publications are available
from the Agency; among these are Fact
Sheets, (printed in English and Spanish)
which are concise documents covering
various aspects of EPA's WIPP Oversight
Program. Some of the fact sheets developed
by EPA's ORIA include: EPA's role concern-
ing the WIPP, the radioactive waste disposal
standards, the WIPP Review Committee of
the National Advisory Council for Environ-
mental Policy and Technology (NACEPT),
and EPA's Proposed Compliance Criteria for
certifying the compliance or non-compliance
of the WIPP with EPA's Radioactive Waste
Disposal Standards. EPA's Office of Solid
Waste also developed fact sheets on EPA's
No-Migration Determinations for the WIPP.
In addition, the Agency created the one-page
EPA WIPP Update, a flyer EPA publishes as
new events or important issues arise regard-
ing WIPP. EPA has begun publishing the
EPA WJPP BULLETIN. This is a newsletter
containing articles about the various aspects
of EPA's WIPP activities.
The WIPP Impletitentation Strategy is a detailed
document-explaining EPA's plan for carrying
out its WIPP responsibilities under the Land
Withdrawal Act. This is the first document
developed by EPA's WIPP program.
EPA and the WIPP is a booklet (available in
English and Spanish) that explains the
Agency's WIPP-related responsibilities.
The booklet provides information on WIPP
waste, a proposed schedule, ways for the
public to participate in EPA's decisions, and
a summary of other Federal and state agencies'
WIPP-related duties.
EPA also publishes an Annual Report to
Congress on Agency actions and resources
concerning regulation of the WIPP. EPA's
1993 and 1994 Annual Reports are available
to the public.
The Agency distributes these documents at
public meetings and hearings and to indi-
viduals and organizations on EPA's WIPP .
Mailing List. In addition, anyone may call
the WIPP Information Line and request the
documents. Press releases, meetings with
the press, weekly updates of the WIPP
Information Line, Federal Register notices,
newspaper notices, and submissions to
dockets also provide information to the
public. A current listing of all available
WIPP and WIPP-related documents appears
on page 9, and they are available to anyone
who calls the WIPP Information Line.
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Public Information Resources
— How to Stay Informed
WIPP Information Line
The WIPP Information Line is a telephone
line with a recorded message that provides
details on: upcoming WIPP-related meet-
ings and hearings/ available documents,
additions to the dockets, and status updates.
Callers have the option of listening to the
message recorded in English or Spanish.
Dial 1-800-331-WIPP to reach this toll-free .
line, any time of the day or night.
The line can also record messages from
outside callers. Individuals interested in
asking a question or requesting a document
may do so. A member of EPA's staff will
return calls within a few business days to
individuals who asked questions. EPA
encourages the public to leave their ques-
tions on the line.
WIPP Mailing List
This is a listing of individuals interested in
receiving information concerning EPA's
WIPP activities. The list includes the general
public, interest groups, the media, Indian
Tribes, environmental companies, other
Federal agencies, Members of Congress, and
Hispanic groups. EPA distributes WIPP
publications and documents using the
mailing list. If you would like to be added
to the list, please call the WIPP Information
Line.
Electronic Bulletin Board
EPA's electronic bulletin board, the Technol-
ogy Transfer Network (TTN), provides
on-line information regarding EPA's WIPP
oversight program. Using computer equip-
ment, anyone may access WIPP documents
through this network. The TTN can be
accessed for the cost of a long distance
phone call, using telecommunications
software and a modem, at (919) 541-5742.
The TTN bulletin board may be reached via
Telnet at ttnbbsjrtpnc.epa.gov. For assistance
in accessing the network, call the Help Desk
at (919) 541-5384 between 1:00p.m. and 5:00
p.m. EST, or leave a message on the toll-free
WIPP Information Line. For detailed written
information on the TTN bulletin board,leave
a message on the WIPP Information Line.
Dockets
The Agency established document files
(dockets) in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and
Carlsbad, New Mexico and Washington, DC
for the various WIPP rulemakings. All
documents such as reports, notes of meet-
ings, and correspondence associated with
rulemakings are in the dockets. Members of
the publicmay read and photocopy these
materials. The addresses of the four WIPP
docket locations are:
Carlsbad Public Library
101 S. Halagueno
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(505) 885-6776
Gov't Publications Dept.
Zimmerman Library
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
(505) 277-5441
Fogelson Library
College of Santa Fe
1600 St. Michaels Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 473-6576
U.S. EPA
Room M-1500 (6102)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-7548
As documents are added to the dockets/EPA
lists the new information in the weekly
update on the WIPP Information Line. Please
note that some docket locations may charge a
fee for photocopying.
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EPA's Communications Plan lor the WIPP
Public Hearings
Public hearings are official parts of EPA
WIPP rulemakings. Advertised in advance,
they offer members of the public a forum
where they can personally present their
opinions on a proposed rule. EPA records
the public comments for consideration when
formulating the final rule. Instructions for
submitting written comments are also
included in the Federal Register's publication
of the proposed rule. The Agency will
develop a Response-to-Comments document
on all proposed rulemakings. This docu-
ment addresses specific written comments
that the Agency received from the public
and includes information on why the
Agency did or did not incorporate the
comments into the final regulation.
EPA conducted a series of public hearings
on the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) Conditional No-Migration
Determination in May and June of 1989 in
Carlsbad, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, NM.
EPA also conducted public hearings on the
proposed amendments to the radioactive
waste disposal standards in the same loca-
tions in New Mexico in February of 1993.
EPA conducted public hearings on the
proposed compliance criteria for the WIPP
in March of 1995, also in New Mexico. EPA
will conduct public hearings on the pro-
posed compliance certification. Information
on when and where public hearings will be
held will be announced on die WIPP Infor-
mation Line, in the Federal Register, and in
local New Mexico newspapers.
Technical Exchange Meetings
EPA and DOE meet periodically to conduct
open technical exchange meetings in New
Mexico and Washington, DC. During these
meetings, DOE provides the Agency with
detailed information on topics associated
with DOE's program for demonstrating
WIPPs compliance with EPA's radioactive
waste disposal standards. The meetings
consist of a DOE presentation followed by
detailed discussion and clarification of issues
important to EPA. Technical exchange
meetings are announced, in advance, on the
WIPP Information Line. The public is
welcome to attend and observe these meet-
ings. Notes summarizing these meetings are
placed in the dockets.
NACEPT WIPP Review Committee
Meetings
Shortly after enactment of the WIPP Land
Withdrawal Act in 1992, EPA established an
advisory committee under the National
Advisory Council for Environmental Policy
and Technology (NACEPT) to provide
advice and counsel to the EPA on technical
and policy issues associated with the
Agency's carrying out of the Act. All meet-
ings of the Committee are open to the public
and provide opportunities for citizens to
provide comments on the subjects examined.
Meeting Information and Notices
Information about public meetings, public
hearings, requests for written comments,
and meetings of the WIPP Review Commit-
tee of NACEPT is published in the Federal
Register and announced on the WIPP Infor-
mation Line a few weeks before each event.
In addition, the Agency places notices of
public hearings and meetings in major New
Mexico newspapers.
Media Relations
EPA has issued press releases or press advi-
sories concerning its WIPP-related actions.
Topics addressed include: the formation of
the NACEPT WIPP Review Committee, the
proposed amendments to the radioactive
waste disposal standards, the public
hearings on the proposed amendments, the
final amendments to the standards, DOE's
decision not to conduct tests with waste at
the WIPP, and the proposed compliance
criteria. EPA issues press releases through
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its headquarters office, and in an effort to
concentrate on the New Mexico media, press
releases are also issued through EPA's
Region 6 Public Affairs Office in Dallas,
Texas. The Agency will continue to issue
press releases or advisories on important
WIPP events.
In December of 1993, EPA representatives
held an informal meeting and teleconference
with New Mexico media representatives in
Albuquerque, NM. Participants discussed
EPA's current WIPP activities and the final
amendments to the radioactive waste
disposal standards. In January of 1995, EPA
held another informal teleconference to
discuss the proposed compliance criteria.
The Agency will continue to hold informal
teleconferences with the media as important
WIPP events occur. Some of the many
newspapers that EPA sends information to
include the Albuquerque Journal, the
Carlsbad Current-Argus, and the Santa Fe
New Mexican.
Congressional Relations
EPA conducts briefings before members of
United States Congress to keep them
informed of EPA's WIPP activities. These
briefings are given to New Mexico represen-
tatives in the House and Senate, and to the
various committees that have WIPP oversight
responsibilities (e.g., the Senate Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources). In
addition, EPA publishes an Annual Report to
Congress on the Agency's WIPP activities.
National and State Conferences and
Meetings
Agency officials participate in many national,
international, state, and industry sponsored
conferences and meetings concerning radio-
active waste issues. Officials have addressed
conferences and meetings sponsored by the
League of Women Voters, the National
Academy of Sciences, the American Nuclear
Society, the American Society of Civil
Engineers, and the States of New Mexico
and Nevada.
EPA officials have made presentations to the
State of New Mexico's Radioactive Waste
Consultation Task Force and the State of
New Mexico's Radioactive and Hazardous
Materials Committee. The State authorized
this Task Force, also known as the Governor's
WIPP Task Force, to negotiate on their behalf
with the Federal Government in all areas
relating to the siting, licensing, and opera-
tion of radioactive waste disposal facilities.
The Committee examines a broad spectrum
of radioactive and hazardous materials
issues, including generation, treatment,
storage, transportation, and disposal. The
Governor's WIPP Task Force meets periodi-
cally with this legislative committee to keep
them informed of all actions taken by the
Task Force. The Committee makes recom-
mendations to the NM Legislature on
radioactive waste issues, as appropriate.
EPA periodically makes presentations to
these executive and legislative groups.
These presentations are open to the public.
The Agency plans to continue to keep the
Task Force and the Committee informed of
EPA.'s activities.
Agency officials participate in the quarterly
meetings of the National Academy of
Sciences' WIPP Panel to discuss current EPA
WIPP activities.
EPA attends various radiation conferences
including: the Annual International High-
Level Radioactive Waste Management
Conference & Exposition and Spectrum"'94,
an international technical topical meeting on
the management of nuclear and hazardous
waste. At these conferences, EPA has
presented papers on the implementation of
transuranic waste disposal standards at the
WIPP, the communications needs assessment,
and EPA's proposed compliance criteria for
the WIPP.
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EPA's Communications Plan for the WIPP
Future Activities
EPA is developing a trifold brochure on
WIPP information resources with a section
on how the public can become involved in
EPA's WIPP Public Participation Activities.
New Fact Sheets are also planned describing
EPA's rulemaking activities as they occur.
Members of the public have suggested
additional ways to distribute information
effectively. For example, Tribal and Hispanic
group representatives said that they can
serve as conduits of information to and
from their constituencies. EPA is exploring
ways that it can work with Hispanic and
Tribal community-based organizations to
pass on information on EPA's WIPP over-
sight activities to their constituencies.
When various rulemakings are proposed/
EPA plans to conduct a press conference call,
selected stakeholder conference calls, and
public hearings on the rulemakings in three
cities hi New Mexico. EPA will continue to
hold public hearings and NACEPT meetings
that are open to the public. Additionally, EPA
will consider hosting informal public meetings
on issues related to the rulemaking activities
if requested by outside organizations.
EPA'S COMMITMENT
EPA is committed to meeting the New Mexican citizens' interest in be-
ing kept informed and involved in developments regarding the
possibility of nuclear waste and hazardous waste being disposed of at
the WIPP. Given the complexity of the issues, EPA seeks public partici-
pation in proposed decisions. The Agency developed this
Communications Plan to let the public know about the ways used to
inform and involve them in its WIPP oversight program activities. EPA
encourages you to comment on this plan. Please feel free to send your
comments to the Public Outreach Staff - Radiation Protection Division
(66Q2J), US EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460; or, if they are
brief, leave them on the WIPP Information Line.
For more information or to add your name to the WIPP mailing list,
please write to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
Radiation Protection Division (6602J)
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
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EPA WIPP Publications
Environmental Fact Sheet: EPA's Final Conditional No-Migration Determination for DOE's Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant, October 1990
Document Number EPA 530-SW-91-026
Environmental Fact Sheet: Proposed Amendments to Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for the
Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Wastes (40 CFR
Part 191), February 1993
Document Number EPA 402-F-93-001
EPA's Implementation Strategy for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act of 1992, March 1993
Document Number EPA 402-R-93-002
Environmental Fact Sheet: NACEPT, Advising the EPA on WIPP Activities, September 1993
Document Number EPA 402-F-93-007
Document Number EPA 402-F-93-009 (Spanish translation)
Environmental Fact Sheet: Final Amendments to Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for the
Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, Fligh-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Wastes (40 CFR
Part 191), December 1993
Document Number EPA 402-F-93-008
Document Number EPA 402-F-94-002 (Spanish translation)
EPA WIPP Update Number 1, December 1993
EPA WIPP Bulletin, Spring 1994 and Spring 1995
Implementation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act, 1993 Report to Congress,
January 1994
Document Number EPA 402-R-94-010
Radioactive Waste Disposal: An Environmental Prospective, August 1994
Document Number EPA 402-K-94-001
EPA and the WIPP, July 1994
Document Number EPA 402-K-94-009
Document Number EPA 402-K-94-010 (Spanish translation)
Environmental Fact Sheet: Proposed Compliance Criteria for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (40 CFR
Part 194), January 1995
Document Number EPA 402-F-93-007
Document Number EPA 402-F-93-008 (Spanish translation)
Implementation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Land Withdrawal Act, 1994 Report to Congress,
January 1995
Document Number EPA 402-R-95-001
Criteria for the Certification and Determination of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance with 40 CFR
Part 191: Background Information Document for Proposed 40 CFR Part 194, January 1995
Document Number EPA 402-R-95-002
Criteria for the Certification and Determination of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance with 40 CFR
Part 191: Economic Impact Analysis for Proposed 40 CFR Part 194, January 1995
Document Number EPA 402-R-95-002
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vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Pcntil(> for Private Use
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"EPA's Communications Plan for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant" is printed on recycled paper.
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