RESOLUTION # 57-2017
A RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF
AN ONSITE WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY AT THE US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY’S
PORTSMOUTH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT IN PIKETON, OHIO.
WHEREAS the Village of Piketon conducted a Third Party Assessment to independently review the
environmental studies completed and verify the data used by DOE at the Portsmouth Gaseous
Diffusion Plant to make a decision to construct an onsite waste disposal facility in “Area D”;
WHEREAS the Third Party Assessment report indicates that the bedrock underlying “Area D” is
fractured below the level represented by DOE in public meetings, in the proposed plan, and in the
responsiveness summary in the Record of Decision;
WHEREAS the Third Party Assessment report also indicates that “Area D” cannot meet the
requirements of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). TSCA states that the bottom of the landfill
liner system must be at least fifty feet from the historic high water table. The data from DOE’s
reports indicate that the depth to groundwater measured from the ground surface at the landfill
ranges from 21 feet to 97 feet;
WHEREAS the Pike County General Health District recognizes that the community at large opposes
onsite disposal;
WHEREAS the community’s position regarding onsite disposal was documented during the official
public comment period and in official instruments passed by the local governments and recognized
community groups. Documentation includes the PORTS SSAB Recommendation 15-05, public
comments submitted by the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative board members and legal
counsel, and Resolutions passed by the Village of Piketon, Seal Township, Scioto Township, Scioto
Valley Local School District, and the Pike County Career Technology Center;
WHEREAS the Pike County General Health District has full confidence in the Ohio Delegation to
secure sufficient funding levels through appropriations to allow D&D activities to continue
uninterrupted and in compliance with the Records of Decision for D&D of the facilities, without
stockpiling waste onsite and without impacting current employment levels at the site; and
WHEREAS the Pike County General Health District commends DOE for successfully and expediently
shipping legacy waste, waste generated by the current deactivation activities in the X-326, and
waste generated by the demolition of other facilities, and expects DOE to continue to ship all waste
as it is generated by D&D activities to approved offsite disposal facilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Pike County General Health District wishes to make it
explicitly clear to the residents of Pike County, the Ohio Delegation, and DOE that the community
cannot accept the construction of an onsite waste disposal facility at the DOE Portsmouth Gaseous
Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio.