January 12, 2000
Dear Interested Party:
The purpose of this communication is to
give you an update on the activities of the New Jersey Low Level
Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility Siting Board (Siting Board)
since my November 23, 1998 letter.
The Siting Board, in keeping with our suspension
of active siting in New Jersey, has conducted an evaluation
of out-of-state disposal options and has distributed our Disposal
Options Report in June 1999. The findings and recommendations
confirm the Siting Board’s previous suspension actions
and indicate the need for the Siting Board to continue monitoring
the national low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) developments
with the Northeast Compact Commission; continue its public education
program; and evaluate potential new technological waste management
opportunities. Because of the reduced efforts of the Siting
Board, consideration was proposed for the return of surplus
operating funds to the New Jersey generators of LLRW.
In more recent activities, the Siting Board
has been working with the Northeast Compact Commission and the
State of Connecticut to propose the addition of the State of
South Carolina to the Northeast Compact. Such a development
could provide both New Jersey and Connecticut with long term
commitment for access to a low-level waste disposal facility
at the existing Barnwell, South Carolina site and meet the South
Carolina desire to limit future disposal activities at that
site. Negotiations for this merger, in which South Carolina
would be the host state for Northeast Compact's low-level waste,
are anticipated to start early this year. Requirements could
include a one time financial contribution from New Jersey and
Connecticut to South Carolina for being the host state. The
Siting Board would envision using the surplus operating funds
for this payment.
In other actions, the Siting Board has been
working with the New Jersey Department of Education and the
New Jersey Science Teachers Association in planning a workshop
to develop basic lesson plans for elementary school science
teachers. These lesson plans on radioactivity and radioactive
material management issues would be developed in partnership
with teachers and health professionals and would integrate these
radiation topics into the core curriculum standards.
The Siting Board has also worked with the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection personnel
in investigating new technologies for managing radioactive waste.
The Siting Board and Radioactive Waste Advisory
Committee are a voluntary group of individuals committed to
providing a reasonable means of management for low level radioactive
waste generated in New Jersey. In our efforts, we look forward
to continue our relationships with municipal, county and state
representatives; the NJ generators of low-level waste; and professionals
in the radioactive materials management field.
The Siting Board meetings are open
to the Public and will be held at the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection's offices at 401 East State Street,
Trenton, NJ. Meetings are scheduled for 9:30 am on March
9, June 8, September 7 and December 7, 2000. You may wish
to phone the Siting Board offices or read the Siting Board web
page (www.state.nj.us/llrwsb) for confirmation of the time and
place of the next meeting.
Sincerely,
Paul E. Wyszkowski
Chairman
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