The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the Fernald Administrative Record in 1989 as the official file of documentation collected during the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS), an extensive investigation conducted from 1986 to 1996 to characterize the nature and scope of contamination from Fernald operations and identify, develop and evaluate remedial action alternatives.

DOE organized site remediation into operable units based on location, physical characteristics and the potential for using similar technologies during cleanup. Using data collected during the 10-year RI/FS, DOE evaluated remedial action alternatives and selected final cleanup plans, called Records of Decision (ROD), for five operable units:

Operable Unit 1: waste pit area
Operable Unit 2: other waste units
Operable Unit 3: former production area
Operable Unit 4: four concrete waste silos
Operable Unit 5: environmental media

Since the original RODs were finalized, DOE has prepared an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) document for the following RODs to explain changes in the original cleanup remedy.  DOE must publish an ESD document when differences in the remedial or enforcement action, settlement, or consent decree significantly change but do not alter the ROD with respect to scope, performance, or cost.

The Fernald Administrative Record contains approximately 6,500 documents generated during the RI/FS. The documents include: RI/FS reports, proposed plans and final RODs for each operable unit; responsiveness summaries; ESDs; removal action documentation; records of public participation in the decision-making process; the Fernald Community Relations Plan; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act closure plans; enforcement documents; implementation plans; and proposed amendments and the amended RODs:

Operable Unit 1 RODA
Operable Unit 4 Silos 1 and 2 RODA
Operable Unit 4 Silos 3 RODA

For changes to the remedy that are considered non-significant or minor, the lead oversight agency records them in the post-ROD decision document file. If the lead agency chooses, the non-significant changes can be documented for the public in an optional remedial design fact sheet.

Operable Unit 5 Wastewater Treatment Remedial Design Fact Sheet                                                                                          Operable Unit 4 Silo 3 Remedial Action Design Contingency Packaging Approach Fact Sheet 

DOE has placed the final RODs for each operable unit online.  Electronic copies of the RODs are also available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund Information Systems web site. All other documentation is available in the Fernald Public Environmental Information Center (PEIC).