Report on audit of the Richland Operations Office Site Characterization Program

In 1989 the Secretary of Energy changed the mission of the Richland Operations Office (ROO) from supporting weapons production to environmental restoration and waste management. Through the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (Tri-Party Agreement), ROO was required to survey Hanford for contaminants, analyze samples, and determine the most cost-effective method to clean up the waste identified. The objective of this audit was to determine if the Department of Energy (DOE) and ROO had evaluated alternatives to accomplish certain site characterization activities in a cost-effective manner. This audit showed that neither the DOE nor ROO evaluated alternatives to ensure that two site characterization activities were accomplished in a cost-effective manner. First, DOE accelerated the core sampling program for high-level radioactive waste tanks from 6 to 3 years. DOE made this decision in response to a Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Safety Board) recommendation without first determining if the method chosen (core sampling) was the most efficient and economical method to satisfy the Safety Board`s concerns. This 3-year acceleration would cost over $71 million with little increase in benefits. Second, ROO agreed to a Tri-Party Agreement Amendment to require low-level waste samples be analyzed within 25 miles of Hanford. ROO estimated that the 25-mile restriction will require an additional $46 million over an 8-year period. It is recommended that DOE (1) notify the appropriate parties that characterization of the high-level radioactive waste tanks will be completed in the most cost-effective method to achieve program objectives, and (2) negotiate to remove the requirement to perform 80% of low-level waste sample analyses within 25 miles of Hanford. It is also recommended that management perform economic analyses of alternatives before making decisions as to how program objectives will be accomplished