Cultural Resource Investigations for Waste Area Group 5 on the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) is an 890 square mile multiprogram Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory in southeastern Idaho. Over the past 50 years, the laboratory has witnessed many significant scientific advances, particularly in the areas of nuclear propulsion, nuclear reactor safety and design, and waste management. As a result of this long history, various areas of the INEEL have potential and actual cleanup needs. To guide and ultimately expedite environmental restoration of contaminated areas, the INEEL is divided into ten “Waste Area Groups” (WAGS). The levels of cleanup and remediation, and schedules for the proposed environmental restoration within these WAGS will be determined by looking at projected future land uses in consultation with local regulators and stakeholders. In general, some areas may be remediated to risk levels associated with potential future agricultural or commercial uses, while other areas may be considered for permanent industrial use or long term access restriction.