Robert R. Loux, Jr., Executive Director
State of Nevada
Agency for Nuclear Projects
1802 N. Carson Street, Suite 252
Carson City, NV 89701

RESPONSE TO LETTER CONCERNING HIGHWAY TRANSPORT ROUTES FOR SHIPPING LOW-LEVEL WASTE TO THE NEVADA TEST SITE

Reference: Ltr, Loux to Gertz, dtd 4/10/98

We have reviewed your above-referenced letter regarding your interpretation of regulations related to your concerns about highway transport routes for shipping low-level waste to the Nevada Test Site (NTS).

As you know, DOE/NV is preparing an Environmental Assessment to analyze a range of options and their potential to affect the environment should shipping low-level waste to the NTS via a combination of truck and rail routes be encouraged. This effort also provides DOE the opportunity to assess ways of further reducing risk and cutting costs. We are expanding the scope of the EA to include an alternative focussed on alternate truck routes to avoid travel over Hoover Dam and through the Las Vegas Valley. Presently, we anticipate publishing a final document in September 1998 with a draft available for comment in late June.

We appreciate your efforts to continue to work with DOE in addressing transportation issues of mutual concern. Please feel free to contact me or Michael O. Giblin, of my staff, at (702) 295-2011 should you have any concerns regarding the Intermodal Transportation EA.

Garl P. Gertz, Assistant Manager
for Environmental Management

EM:MOG