TA-54 Brief Description

4.31.1 Site Description
TA-54 [Table 4-27 and Figure 4-31 (index map of TA-54)] is one of the largest [943 acres (382
ha)] and most environmentally significant TAs at Los Alamos. Its primary function is management
of radioactive solid and hazardous chemical wastes. The site’s 3-mi (4.8-km) northern border
forms the boundary between the Laboratory and San Idlefonso Pueblo, and its southeastern
boundary borders the part of Los Alamos County known as White Rock. Nearly 70 archaeological sites have been found in the TA. Its disposal operations have a permanent environmental effect.

Many of the operations at the Laboratory generate liquid, solid, and gaseous wastes that contain
radioactive materials, nonradioactive but potentially hazardous materials, or a combination of the two. All of these types of wastes are characterized, stored, and/or disposed at TA-54. Waste
handled at the site is characterized as LLW, low-level mixed waste, TRU waste, hazardous waste, PCB waste, and nonregulated chemical wastes.

TA-54 has 120 structures, of which 101 house waste management personnel and operations.
Approximately 130 workers are needed to perform these treatment, storage, and disposal operations.

4.31.2 Facilities Description
TA-54’s facilities are grouped in various areas according to the type of waste managed. Area G is the LLW management area. Area H, a site at which radioactive wastes were disposed up until
1986, is designated for cleanup under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Area J is
an administratively controlled waste management area set aside for solid and nonhazardous
wastes that must be managed separately for security reasons. Area L is the chemical waste
management area.

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