Post on 27-Dec-2015
transcript
Mercury Management Environmental Impact Statement
EPA Breaking the Mercury Cycle:
Conference on Mercury Retirement Boston, MA
May 1-3, 2002
Cornel Holder Deputy Administrator
Defense National Stockpile Center
DNSC, a part of DLA, has been selling commodities on the open market.
The Stockpile of strategic and critical materials was purchased
to reduce the United States’ dependence on
foreign sources of supply during national emergencies.
DNSC currently stores 60 different
commodities at 56 locations.
Defense National Stockpile Center (DNSC)
DoD Mercury Stockpile
No DoD requirement for elemental mercury
DNSC sales suspended in 1994
4,436 metric tons of elemental mercury in inventory
Elemental mercury continues to be mined and imported
Long-term solutions needed for elemental mercury management
Security Measures
Perimeter fence surrounding depot
Armed security, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
Controlled access to warehouses
Controlled access to depot
Safety Measures
Lumex, state-of-the-art, mercury air-monitoring equipment
Measures in parts per billion
Jerome Mercury Vapor Analyzer
Measures in parts per million
Past Mercury Storage
3-liter capacity, steel flasks
Wooden pallets on metal catch trays
Sprinkle system in warehouses
Entire inventory re-packaged in 1975. (699 metric tons)
Seamless 3-liter containers used
Will over-pack if consolidated at another location
Over-packing
Flasks cleaned and inspected
Six flasks to a 30 gal drum
Flasks transferred to DOT approved, air and liquid-tight drum
Levels of protection
1. Steel flask.
2. Absorbent pad.
3. Plastic liner.
4. Epoxy-coated drum.
5. Drip pan.
6. Epoxy-coated floor.
7. Secure warehouse.
Location MT
Somerville, NJ 2,617 Warren, OH 563New Haven, IN 557
Increased lighting for inspections.
Epoxy floor sealer impenetrable by mercury.
Present Mercury Storage
Environmental Impact Statement Process
Proposed
Action
Notice of
Intent
Public Scoping
Process
Scope of
StatementDraft Environmental
Impact Statement
Public
Comments
Final Environmental
Impact Statement
Record of
Decision
Alternatives
No Action: continued storage at present locations with air-monitoring
Consolidated storage at one site
Sales that do not unduly disrupt market
Treatment of elemental mercury followed by disposal
Consolidated Storage
Federal Register Notice to all Federal Agencies
March 5, 2001
Follow-up letter to specific agencies
– Potential sites to be evaluated
Sales
Analyze environmental impacts of DNSC sales
Estimated annual domestic consumption 300 metric tons
Resume DNSC sales at a maximum rate of 5,000 flasks per year (173 metric tons)
Approximately 30 years to sell entire inventory
Not to unduly disrupt market
Treatment Followed by Disposal
Processing elemental mercury (evaluate environmental impacts)
– Use DEE-MERC technology (IT Corporation/Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., Knoxville,TN)
– Create a sulfur compound for land disposal (PermaFix, Kinston, TN)
– Use selenium to amalgamate mercury for disposal(McCoy Environmental Technicians, Inc.,
Columbus ,GA)
Treating elemental mercury (evaluate environmental impacts)
– Use Sulfur Polymer Stabilization and or Solidification (SPSS) process. (Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton NY)
– Use SPSS at an established mercury treatment facility for disposal. (Bethlehem Apparatus Co., Inc., Hellertown PA)
Treatment Followed by Disposal
Process and Store Alternative Eliminated
Mercury can be safely stored in its elemental form.
Elemental mercury is the desired starting point for most industrial uses.
A process and store alternative would result in no significant benefits.
Interagency Working Group Members/Organizations
AGENCYDefense Logistics Agency
Department of Energy
EPA Offices – Federal Activities – Solid Waste – Pollution Prevention and Toxics – Water – Mercury Task Force
U. S. Public Health Service
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of Commerce
ROLEPreparer of MMEIS
Cooperating Agency
Review of MM EIS
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory
Public meetings at storage locationsHost meetings with environmental groups Participate in EPA Workshops:
–Bi-National Toxics Strategy–Mercury Retirement Conference
Participate in Environmental Council of States’ (ECOS)
Quicksilver Caucus
Public Outreach
Tools:
Website - www.mercuryeis.com Newsletters & fact sheetsToll free number - voice (888-306-6682)Toll free number - fax (888-306-8818)Information repositories
– Local libraries
Public Outreach
Our Commitment
We are committed to safety-of our communities-our employees-and our environment.
We will identify and evaluate a wide range of reasonable alternatives-with stakeholders’ input.
We encourage public participation in the Mercury Management Environmental Impact Statement Decision Making Process.