Environmental Impact Statement for Area IV

DOE released their Final Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0402) Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory on December 17, 2018.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is releasing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for cleanup of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) in Ventura County, California.   Release of the FEIS culminates scientific study and analysis of the site, and a public involvement process guided by the National Environmental Policy Act.

The FEIS identifies the Department’s Preferred Alternatives for cleanup of soils and groundwater and building removal at the site:

The Department is committed to cleanup of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in a manner that is protective of the public and the environment.  A copy of the Final EIS can be downloaded at https://www.SSFLAreaIVEIS.com.  

DOE released their Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0402) Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory on January 6, 2017.

EIS‐0402: DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory

DOE has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) that analyzes the potential environmental impacts of alternatives for conducting cleanup activities in Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and the adjoining Northern Buffer Zone, located in Ventura County, California. Remediation is needed to clean up residual chemicals and radionuclides from historical operations in Area IV, in compliance with regulations, orders, and agreements. The alternatives analyzed in the Draft EIS involve the remediation of soil and groundwater, the disposition of remaining DOE facilities and support buildings, and disposal of all resulting waste at existing licensed or permitted facilities to protect public health and safety and the environment.

The Draft EIS is available at https://www.SSFLAreaIVEIS.com. DOE invites the public to comment on the Draft EIS during the public comment period that begins on January 13, 2017 and will remain open for 60 days until March 14, 2017. DOE will consider late comments relevant to the Draft EIS to the extent possible. DOE will consider all comments received in preparing the Final EIS.

During the public comment period, DOE will hold two public hearings on the Draft EIS. The hearings will provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the project, provide comments on the Draft EIS, and speak with project and subject matter experts. The hearings will be held on:

February 18, 2017
9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Open House
9:30 to noon Public Hearing
Grand Vista Hotel, Valley Ballroom
999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley

February 21, 2017
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Open House
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Public Hearing
Airtel Plaza Hotel, Gulfstream Ballroom
7277 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys

For more information or to request a copy of the Draft EIS, please call 805‐842‐3864 and leave a message. The public may make comments directly on the website listed above, attend one or both of the public hearings, or by submitting written comments via US Postal Service addressed to:

Ms. Stephie Jennings
NEPA Document Manager, SSFL Area IV EIS
U.S. Department of Energy
4100 Guardian Street, Suite 160
Simi Valley, CA

The table below presents a reverse chronology of activities in support of this project. For information about the cultural and biological studies click here.

August 6, 2014

Final Scoping Summary Report

The Department of Energy releases the Final Scoping Summary Report which summarizes comments, potential issues and concerns received during the public scoping period.

March 5, 2014

Public Scoping Meetings

DOE held two scoping meetings February 27th and March 1st to receive comments on the EIS for the Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Below you will find posters displayed during open house, the presentation given by DOE and handouts provided at the meetings. The comment period has been extended and now ends on April 2, 2014.

Open House Posters

DOE Presentation and Handouts

February 7, 2014

DOE Issues Amended Notice of Intent

DOE has issued an Amended Notice of Intent for the remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

June 27, 2012

On June 7, 2012, DOE hosted session two of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Alternatives Development Workshop Series, which kicked off May 15th. The second session included a presentation on DOE’s purpose and need for action and the objectives that must be addressed for each alternative to be analyzed in the EIS. This session also allowed stakeholder to participate in small group discussions to think about how DOE may address the various objectives. Here is the presentation from session two and responses to questions from session one:

May 19, 2012

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Alternatives Development Workshop Series kicked off on Tuesday, May 15th. This workshop is a pre-scoping effort for the EIS. The first session was an informational session and included an overview environmental laws that must be complied with during preparation of an EIS. Here are the presentations from Session One:

November 2011

SSFL Former Worker Interview Report

During 2010 and 2011 U.S. Department of Energy conducted over 100 interviews with former SSFL employees. The final report from these interviews can be found here

August 12, 2009

Community Involvement Plan - Area IV Santa Susana Field Laboratory

As part of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) the DOE has prepared a Community Involvement Plan (CIP), which outlines a series of activities and programs that intend to engage the public, establish transparency in DOE actions and decisions, and increase input from the community. This CIP is the foundation for the DOE’s SSFL Area IV comprehensive communication and engagement strategy for public involvement activities.

September 28, 2009

Scoping Comment Responses for the Environmental Impact Statement for Remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory

In July 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) conducted a number of scoping meetings associated with the development of the Environmental Impact Statement for Remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL Area IV EIS). Prior to the scoping meetings, a comprehensive review of all previous Area IV sampling activity was conducted and presented in the Draft Gap Analysis Report. As a result of the Draft Gap Analysis Report comment period and public EIS scoping process, DOE received input from 74 commentors. The linked document provides responses to the comments received.

March 11, 2009

Radionuclides at SSFL

A list of radionuclides used or generated at SSFL was developed in support of the EIS and Radionuclide Background Study.  The report entitled "Radionuclides Related to Historical Operations at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, Area IV", also identifies those radionuclides that would be risk drivers and dose drivers.

February 23, 2009

EIS Community Interviews

DOE contracted with P2 Solutions, a firm specializing in public participation services, to evaluate the relationship with the community and develop recommendations for conducting public participation activities to support development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). P2 Solutions interviewed key stakeholders regarding their concerns about DOE’s plans to prepare the EIS and preferences for being involved during development of the EIS. This report explains the methodology used to conduct the interviews, summarizes the responses to the questions asked, and presents P2 Solutions Recommendations. DOE especially wants to thank each individual who participated in the interviews. We are committed to implementing each of the report's recommendations to the best of our ability.

August 14, 2008

End of EIS Scoping Period

End of scoping period and due date for submission of public comments on EIS scope.  

July 22-23-24, 2008

EIS Public Scoping Meetings  

DOE completed six Scoping Meetings July 22 through 24, 2008 to solicit comments on the Environmental Impact Statement for Remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.  Comments on the scope of the EIS are requested by August 14, 2008.  The following handouts and posters were made available at each meeting.

Transcripts of each meeting will be available in the near future.

July 21, 2008

Draft Preliminary Public Particicipation  

P2 Solutions issued draft preliminary results of interviews with employees, retirees, community members and other stakeholders.  Draft preliminary recommendations for the conduct of the EIS public partiocipation process were proposed.

July 7-8-18, 2008

EIS Public Scoping Meeting Announcements

Six public scoping meetings will be held to solicit comments on the scope of EIS, the range of actions, and alternatives and issues that should be considered. 

Public scoping meetings will be held at the following locations on the following days and times:

  • Simi Valley, California:  Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way, July 22, 2008, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.;
  • Northridge, California: World Vision Church, 19514 Rinaldi Street, July 23, 2008, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and
  • Sacramento, California:  Sacramento Central Library, 828 I Street, July 24, 2008, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Written comments on the scope of the EIS should be sent to: Ms. Stephanie Jennings, NEPA Document Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 10300, Canoga Park, CA 91309, Express Mail Delivery Address: 5800 Woolsey Canyon Road, Canoga Park, CA 91304, telephone number: 818-466-8162, fax: 818-466-8730, or email to: stephanie.jennings@emcbc.doe.gov (use “Scoping Comments” for the subject).  All comments whether offered in person at the scoping meeting, or in writing as described above will be considered.

June 26, 2008

Second Public Meeting on the Draft Data Gap Analysis

A public meeting was held at the Grand Vista Hotel in Simi Valley, CA on June 26, 2008 from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm to to recap information provided at the first meeting, answer questions, and receive public comments. The Draft Data Gap Analysis Report was prepared as part of the Area IV Environmental Impact Statement.

 

June 10, 2008

First EIS Data Gap Public Meeting

A public meeting was held at the Grand Vista Hotel in Simi Valley, CA on June 10, 2008 from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm to present results and recommendations of the EIS Data Gap Analysis.

June 5, 2008

DOE issues a draft Data Gap Analysis Report.

This report reviews historical radiological and chemical sampling data, and identifies additional sampling requirements needed to conduct human health and ecological risk assessments. The Data Gap Analysis Report is the first phase of the Environmental Impact Statement for Area IV.

May 30, 2008

DOE Announces Two Meetings to Discuss the Data Gap Analysis Report

DOE announces two public meetings to be held June 10th and 26th, 2008 to share information and receive public comments on the draft Data Gap Analysis Report that has been prepared as part of the Area IV Environmental Impact Statement.

 

The first step in the EIS development process is a data gap analysis to review all the existing sampling and analysis information that has been collected in Area IV of SSFL. Existing information was reviewed and evaluated for usability in the development of the EIS. The data gap analysis also provides recommendations for additional sampling for chemical and radiological contaminants required to conduct human health and ecological risk assessments and to analyze a full range of alternatives in the EIS. DOE invites the public's participation at two meetings about this study, the first meeting to go over the results, and the second meeting two weeks later to receive stakeholder input on the independent review.

May 16, 2008

Notice of Intent

DOE issues Notice of Intent (NOI) to perform EIS.

May 16, 2008

Notice of Intent

DOE announces Notice of Intent to perform EIS.  Announcement

January 10, 2008

EIS Contract Awarded to CDM

DOE announces award of EIS contract to CDM.  Announcement

September 10, 2007

DOE Issues RTP

DOE issues a final Request for Task Proposal (RTP) for preparation of an EIS.

August 16, 2007

Pre-solicitation Briefing

DOE holds a pre-solicitation briefing for prospective EIS contractors at SSFL.

August 2, 2007

DOE Issues SOW for EIS

DOE issues a statement of work (SOW) to solicit bids from contractors to perform the EIS.  This SOW defines the scope and objectives of the EIS.  The SOW and a preliminary process plan/schedule for the EIS are provided below.

July 19, 2007

DOE Announces Intent to Perform EIS

DOE announces its intent to perform an EIS and restructure the Boeing contract.  Announcement

May 24, 2007

Stop Work Order

DOE suspends D&D and remediation operations at ETEC.  

May 2, 2007

NRDC Wins Lawsuit Against DOE

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Committee to Bridge the Gap (CBG) and the City of Los Angeles subsequently sued the DOE claiming that it had violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  In May 2007, US District Court Judge, Samuel Conti, issued a Summary Judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, declaring that DOE was indeed in violation of NEPA and requiring DOE to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before it relinquished control over any portion of Area IV.

March 2003

Environmental Assessment

The DOE prepared an Environmental Assessment of the ETEC Cleanup and Closure activities in Area IV in which it chose a preferred dose-based cleanup goal of 15 mrem/year over a CERCLA risk-based goal of 1-in-a-million cancer incidence risk.