Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact for Operation of the Glass Melter Thermal Treatment Unit at the U.S. Department of Energy's Mound Plant, Miamisburg, OH

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared an environmental assessment (DOE/EA-0821) for the proposed operation of the Glass Melter thermal treatment unit (``Glass Melter'') at DOE's Mound Plant in Miamisburg, Ohio. The Glass Melter would thermally treat mixed waste (hazardous waste contaminated with radioactive constituents, largely tritium, plutonium-238, and/or thorium-230) that was generated at the Mound Plant and is now in storage by stabilizing the waste in glass blocks. Depending upon the radiation level of the waste, the Glass Melter may operate for as short a time as one year, but not longer than six years. DOE considered two onsite alternatives to the proposed action and seven offsite alternatives. Based on the analysis presented in the environmental assessment, DOE believes that the proposed action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. Therefore, DOE proposes to issue a finding of no significant impact. This proposed finding of no significant impact is being made available for public review. DOE will consider