Announcing the extension of the public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (DOE/EIS–0402).

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the public comment period on the Draft EIS from March 14 to
April 13, 2017. DOE prepared the Draft EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 as amended
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and the DOE NEPA implementing procedures (10 CFR Part 1021). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.

The EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of alternatives for conducting cleanup activities in Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) and the adjoining Northern Buffer Zone (NBZ), located in Ventura County, California. Remediation is needed to clean up residual chemicals and radionuclides from historical DOE operations at the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) in Area IV, in compliance with regulations, orders, and agreements. The alternatives analyzed in the EIS involve the disposition of remaining DOE facilities and support buildings, remediation of soil and groundwater, and disposal of all resulting waste at existing licensed or permitted facilities in a manner that is protective of the environment and the health and safety of the public and workers.

The Draft EIS can be accessed online at http://www.SSFLAreaIVEIS.com. Written comments may be submitted electronically via the above website. Comments may also be sent by U.S. mail to Stephie Jennings, NEPA Document Manager, SSFL Area IV EIS, U.S. Department of Energy, 4100 Guardian Street, Suite 160, Simi Valley, CA 93063. All comments received by April 13, 2017, will be considered during preparation of the Final EIS. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be considered to the extent practicable.