Defueled Ex-Enterprise (CVN 65) Dismantlement and Disposal - Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement

The  Department of the Navy (DON) recently published via the Federal Register the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) associated with the disposal of the decommissioned, defueled ex-Enterprise (CVN 65), including its associated reactor plants.   

One of the alternatives under consideration is dismantlement of the ex-Enterprise at an authorized commercial dismantlement facility, including mechanical disassembly of the eight reactor plants into segments for packaging into several hundred small containers that meet Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for subsequent disposal at either a Department of Energy (DOE) and/or commercial low-level radioactive waste facility or facilities, similar to the notional project discussed in this RFI.  This is the Navy’s identified preferred alternative.

Two other alternatives under consideration involve partial dismantlement of ex-Enterprise at an authorized commercial dismantlement facility by removing areas of the ship outside the naval reactor compartments. This portion of the ex-Enterprise disposal is similar to the notional project discussed in a previous RFI for “Defueled Ex-USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) Ship Dismantling”.  The remainder of the ship containing the naval reactor compartments would then be transported to PSNS & IMF to prepare reactor compartment packages for disposal at the Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford site.

There is also a “No Action” alternative of indefinite waterborne storage.

For further information on the public involvement process for the Final EIS/OEIS and these alternatives, please visit https://www.CarrierDisposalEIS.com.  The Final EIS/OEIS is found under the “Documents” tab at the top of the page.

DON anticipates issuing a Record of Decision (ROD) for ex-ENTERPRISE disposal prior to the end of calendar year 2023.