New Mexico Environment Department (NMED)’s Department of Energy Oversight Bureau (DOEOB) operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, NM are intended to support non-regulatory activities of the State of New Mexico in working with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate the adequacy of DOE activities related to environmental monitoring; establish a comprehensive, coordinated environmental oversight and monitoring program; facilitate a better understanding by local and Tribal governments and the general public on the environmental impacts, if any, associated with WIPP operations; and to support periodic state monitoring of discharges or emissions as necessary to verify the effectiveness of the DOE programs at WIPP.
The DOEOB WIPP Oversight Section (WOS) provides technical support to the U.S. DOE, DOE contractors, the NMED, state and federal entities, tribes, and public interest and oversight groups. Technical support includes technical review and comment of analytical data, work plans and sampling and analysis plans (SAPs), and Environmental Impact Statements, and other technical documents and reports.
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Ambient Air Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOBS Ambient Air (or Airnet) Monitoring Program conducts independent air monitoring around the WIPP to measure radioactive particulate in outdoor air. This monitoring helps determine whether WIPP past and current operations impact air quality and public health.
Why This Matters
Clean air is essential to protect public health and the environment. Air monitoring helps identify potential releases from current or past activities and provides transparent information to New Mexicans about environmental conditions near the WIPP.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
DOEOB operates continuously running, low-volume air samplers positioned around the WIPP. These samplers collect airborne particles on filters that are sent for laboratory analysis.
- Samples are collected every two weeks.
- Samples are analyzed by independent analytical laboratories.
- Results are reviewed quarterly.
- During emergencies such as wildfires, demolition activities, or unplanned releases, DOEOB may deploy mobile air-monitoring equipment to provide rapid response data.
What We Measure
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Lara at Lauren.Lara@env.nm.gov for assistance or program-related questions.
Exhaust Air Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB Exhaust Air Monitoring Program collects samples of the air exhausted from the WIPP underground. This monitoring helps determine whether WIPP emissions impact air quality and public health.
Why This Matters
Clean air is essential to protect public health and the environment. Air monitoring helps identify potential releases from the WIPP underground and provides transparent information to New Mexicans about environmental conditions near WIPP. It was determined by the US Department of Energy that the atmospheric pathway is the most likely release pathway to the public from the WIPP facility. DOEOB provides confirmatory monitoring with portions of the WIPP Airborne Effluent sampling program.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Exhaust air sampling involves collecting air that has circulated through the underground mine and is vented to the surface. DOEOB samples are taken at the mine exhaust point downstream (or after) any salt reduction activities or any high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration that are part of the Underground Ventilation System (UVS) at the WIPP. Fixed air samplers (FAS) pull air from the exhaust air stream through filters that collect particulates which are analyzed for specific contaminants so technicians can confirm what, if anything, is being released. Exhaust air sampling is conducted 24-hours per day, 365 days a year. Filters are exchanged daily (or more frequently if needed). Sample filters are composited monthly for laboratory analysis.
What We Measure
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Garcia at lauren.garcia@env.nm.gov for assistance or program related questions.
Direct Penetrating Radiation Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB Direct Penetrating Radiation (DPR) Monitoring Program monitors ambient gamma radiation in the environment. Gamma radiation can travel through air and solid materials, which is why it is monitored in open environments. This program focuses on monitoring radiation around the WIPP site, along transportation routes in Eddy and Lea Counties, and a background site in Carlsbad, NM.
Why This Matters
The DPR program helps ensure public health, environmental protection, and provides independent verification of gamma radiation levels near the WIPP site. Collection of long-term data allows DOEOB to detect trends, changes, or unusual radiation levels over time. There are no specific regulatory limits for ambient environmental gamma radiation, so comparison to background levels monitored in Carlsbad is used to assess changes in ambient gamma radiation from WIPP activities.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Monitoring is conducted using Electret Ion Chambers (EICs) placed at fixed locations. These devices measure cumulative gamma radiation over a quarterly monitoring period.
- Instruments are deployed outdoors at established monitoring stations.
- After the monitoring period, devices are collected and analyzed for radiation dose.
Data are:
- Compared to previously collected DOEOB data.
- Reviewed for consistency and anomalies.
- Compiled into periodic reports.
What We Measure
Total gamma radiation dose over time expressed as a dose rate (commonly in millirem or millisievert equivalents).
Environmental radiation, including natural sources such as:
- Cosmic radiation
- Naturally occurring radioactive materials in soil and rock
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Lara at lauren.lara@env.nm.gov for assistance or program related questions.
Groundwater Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB’s Groundwater Monitoring Program conducts confirmatory sampling of groundwater in the Culebra formation upgradient and downgradient of the WIPP to determine the potential impact to the environment from WIPP activities.
Why This Matters
Groundwater monitoring is conducted to detect and quantify any potential radioactive or chemical contamination from the underground repository and monitors potential release pathways from the waste disposed at the WIPP facility.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Groundwater is monitored via installed monitoring wells or observation wells. Water parameters are measured within the well after purging to confirm water is being collected from the groundwater, and not what is trapped within the well casing. Water is extracted directly from underground and is used to measure water parameters and is analyzed for contaminants. Annually, DOEOB splits samples with WIPP personnel, collecting from six (6) monitoring locations surrounding the WIPP facility. Three (3) wells are located to the north of the WIPP and three (3) are located to the south. Monitoring Locations:
- WQSP-6
- WQSP-1
- WQSP-2
- WQSP-3
- WQSP-4
- WQSP-5
What We Measure
Groundwater samples are analyzed for radionuclides:
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Groundwater samples are also analyzed for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Metals:
- Silver
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Lead
- Mercury
- Selenium
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Garcia at lauren.garcia@env.nm.gov for assistance or program related questions.
Surface Water Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB Surface Water Monitoring Program conducts independent surface water sampling to determine the potential impact to the environment from WIPP activities. This monitoring helps determine whether target radionuclides from WIPP operations are migrating through the water and soil surrounding the site.
Why This Matters
Isotopic radionuclides can be naturally occurring or be introduced via human activity into water sources. If contaminant levels are too high in surface water it can have negative effects on human and ecosystem health. This program helps identify whether radionuclides are migrating from WIPP activities into the environment.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Surface water is collected annually at twelve (12) locations. Eight (8) stock tanks around the WIPP are sampled and four (4) sites along the Pecos River are sampled. Surface water samples are co-located with WIPP surface water samples. A jug is triple rinsed using the water to be sampled, then water is poured into pre-preserved sample bottles. The bottles are sealed and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Surface water sampling locations are co-located with WIPP sampling locations.
What We Measure
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Garcia at lauren.garcia@env.nm.gov for assistance or program-related questions.
Sediment Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB Sediment Monitoring Program conducts collects independent sediment sampling to determine the potential impacts to the environment from WIPP activities. This monitoring helps determine whether target radionuclides from WIPP operations are migrating through the water and soil surrounding the site.
Why This Matters
This program helps identify whether radionuclides are migrating from WIPP activities into the environment.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Sediment samples are collected annually from the banks of eight (8) stock tanks surrounding the WIPP site as well as from four (4) locations on the banks of the Pecos River located to the west of the WIPP. A scoop or spatula is used to collect sediment into bottles that are sealed and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Sediment sampling locations are co-located with WIPP sampling locations.
What We Measure
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Garcia at lauren.garcia@env.nm.gov for assistance or program-related questions.
Soil Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB Soil Monitoring Program conducts independent soil sampling to determine the potential impact to the environment from WIPP activities.
Why This Matters
This program helps identify whether radionuclides are migrating from WIPP activities into the environment.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Soil sampling is performed annually, and samples are split samples with WIPP personnel. Samples are collected at six (6) locations. Three (3) sites are located at the WIPP facility, two (2) within a 5-mile radius, and one (1) at an outer site. Samples are also collected at three different depths at each location: shallow (0-2cm), intermediate (2-5cm) and deep (5-10cm). At each location, randomized sampling points are determined. A metal square template with depth markings is placed in the ground and a spatula is used to collect the samples at each of the three depths. The soil for each depth from the sampling points is mixed and poured into sample bottles that are sealed and sent for laboratory analysis. Monitoring Locations:
- WIPP East – on-site
- WIPP South – on-site
- WIPP Far Field – on-site
- Mills Ranch – 5-mile radius
- Smith Ranch – 5-mile radius
- Southeast Control – Outer site
What We Measure
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Garcia at lauren.garcia@env.nm.gov for assistance or program related questions.
Vegetation Monitoring
What This Program Monitors
The DOEOB Vegetation Monitoring Program conducts independent monitoring to evaluate if WIPP activities affect plants. The program examines living plants that can absorb contaminants from their environment over time.
Why This Matters
Sampling vegetation determines the potential impact to the environment from WIPP activities. Plants are an indicator of environmental health because they can interact with potential contamination through soil and air.
How Monitoring Is Conducted
Vegetation sampling is performed annually beginning in early spring through early fall. This timeframe coincides generally with the best chance to collect vegetation samples depending on the current year’s precipitation. DOEOB collects samples at six (6) monitoring locations. Three (3) sites are located at the WIPP facility, two (2) within a 5-mile radius, and one (1) at an outer site. Sampling locations are co-located with WIPP sampling locations. Monitoring Locations:
- WIPP East – on-site
- WIPP South – on-site
- WIPP Far Field – on-site
- Mills Ranch – 5-mile radius
- Smith Ranch – 5-mile radius
- Southeast Control – outer site
What We Measure
- Gross alpha and gross beta radiation
- Gamma-emitting radionuclides
- Americium-241
- Plutonium isotopes
- Uranium isotopes
- Strontium-90
Data Reporting
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.
Contact program manager Lauren Garcia at lauren.garcia@env.nm.gov for assistance or program related questions.
Outreach
What This Program Does
DOEOB WIPP Oversight Section participates in public outreach opportunities such as events, festivals, and school programs.
Why This Matters
This program aims to educate the public on the mission of NMED and DOEB, and to facilitate educational opportunities.
How This Program Is Conducted
DOEOB WIPP Oversight Section has interactive displays and lessons to teach about their work and the environment.
Contact program manager Tasha Burns at Tasha.Burns@env.nm.gov if you would like NMED to visit your STEM event or classroom.
Data Reports
Visit our list of available reports
Go to the WIPP Oversight Section Publications page to view reports.