8. 



APPENDIX A 



HISTORY OF 

 COMMITTEE ON DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE ON LAND 



Following discussions between representatives of the Atomic 

 Energy Commission and the National Academy of Sciences - National 

 Research Council, contract number AT(30-1)- 1788 was signed on 

 February 28, 1955. The scope of the agreement was stated as 

 follows : 



1. The Contractor shall furnish personnel, facilities, and 

 equipment, and do all things necessary for the purpose of conducting 

 a program of research pertinent to the methods of disposing of radio- 

 active waste materials in geologic structures. The work shall con- 

 sist of the following: 



a. Setting up a Steering Committee of leading scientists 

 who will prepare and arrange for conferences on 

 disposal methods; 



b. Conducting the conferences; 



c. Reporting to the Commission on the proceedings and 

 comments of these conferences; 



d. Evaluating all suggestions and research to date on 

 disposal methods that involve land surface or under- 

 ground sites, including the surface and underground 

 water on the continents but excluding the oceans. 



e. Recommending programs of research that should be 

 carried out. 



The Steering Committee appointed in March 1955 consisted of 

 Harry H. Hess, Chairman, John N. Adkins, John C . Frye, M. King 

 Hubbert, Chester R. Longwell, Richard J. Russell, and Charles V. 

 Theis . In the fall of 1955, Dr. Longwell resigned because of the dif- 

 ficulties in attending committee meetings from his location in 

 California, and William E. Benson and William B. Heroy were ap- 

 pointed. 



