75. 



CHAIRMAN HESS: It seems to me from the discussion that you 

 have a reasonable chance of taking these two elements out at some 

 future time, say five years hence, so it won't be much of a problem 

 after that period. But it certainly is a problem at present. I think 

 we should consider both alternatives and have multiple solutions. 



I think I would agree there certainly is a disposal problem. The 

 waste we have on hand is not being disposed of, in any strict sense, 

 and it is something to worry about. There also will be a waste prob- 

 lem with us until the chemical processing and reactor treatments have 

 been stabilized on a product that can be dealt with easily. But for the 

 immediate future, extending to many years, wastes will constitute a 

 serious problem. It is an encouraging possibility that in the future 

 people can produce wastes that can be gotten rid of more easily than 

 the present material. 



APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES 



The Steering Committee wishes to study the waste problem from 

 two points of view and, therefore, this group should be separated into 

 subcommittees to consider each one. One approach involves disposal 

 at great depth using techniques like those used in disposing of oil field 

 brines; the other approach is relatively shallow disposal such as is 

 being employed at Oak Ridge and Hanford. The goal is an evaluation 

 of the efficiency, the hazards, and the practical methods of resolving 

 the individual problems. Dr. Hubbert has agreed to be the Chairman 

 of the Committee on deep disposal, and the Committee on near-surface 

 disposal will be headed by Dr. Joh Frye. From the long List of Par- 

 ticipants, each committee chairman has selected a few names to make 

 up a nucleus; the remaining members on this list will be left to divide 

 themselves as they see fit, in keeping with their individual interests 

 and specializations. 



Those selected for the Surface Committee are as follows: Benson, 

 Claus, Frye, Goldich, Hunt, Ingerson, Jenkins, Latta, Loofbourow, 

 Theis, Thomas. 



Those selected for the Deep Committee are as follows: Culler, 

 Denison, Ferris, Garrels, Gilluly, Hubbert, Hunter, Thurston, and 

 Watkins . 



The committees will meet and proceed immediately. 



. . . Whereupon, at 10:50 o'clock, the meeting adjourned . . . 



