For Immediate Release	May 31, 2002
Media Contact:	Julie Petersen   (803) 725-2889

DOE Announces Availability Of Final EIS
On SRS High-Level Waste Tank Closures

AIKEN, SC; May 31 - The Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) announced today the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed closing of additional high-level waste (HLW) tanks at SRS. The EIS evaluated three alternatives regarding closure of the HLW tanks: (1) Stabilize Tanks; (2) Clean and Remove Tanks; and (3) No Action. Under the Stabilize Tanks alternative, DOE considered three options for Tank Stabilization: Fill with Grout (preferred alternative); Fill with Sand; or Fill with Saltstone. Under each alternative (except No Action), DOE would close 49 high-level waste tanks and associated waste handling equipment, including evaporators, pumps, diversion boxes, and transfer lines. In November 2000, DOE issued a Draft EIS and held two public meetings during the 60-day review and comment period. The Final EIS contains a summary of the comments received during the comment period. The Savannah River Site High-Level Waste Tank Closure EIS (DOE/EIS-0303) is available in the information repositories listed below or by calling (800) 881-7292: DOE Public Reading Room at the Gregg-Graniteville Library at the University of South Carolina-Aiken campus in Aiken, SC DOE-Headquarters Public Reading Room at the Forrestal Building (Room 1E-190), 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC A Record of Decision on the Tank Closure EIS will be issued no sooner than 30 days after the Notice of Availability of the Final EIS and will document DOE's selection of a tank closure alternative. -DOE- SR-02-03