The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible application of environmental conflict mediation techniques to the siting of a nuclear waste repository. Since much has been written about the issues in nuclear waste management ~n other contexts (see particularly Bishop, et al., 1978; Abrams, 1979; Hewlett, 1978; Interagency Review Group, 1979; Schilling & Nealey, 1979) our focus will be to describe and analyze the major characteristics of a range of techniques that can broadly be called environmental mediation.

Although some observers have concluded that the technology required to assure safe disposal of nuclear wastes is currently available, others have expressed concern about the stability of the institutions that might be required to maintain the isolation of nuclear wastes. Questions about institutional stability and other factors associated with nuclear power and nuclear waste have been the subject of some study in public opinion research.