Includes bibliographical references.

STAGED APPROACHES TO PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: Different types of approaches to staging: linear and adaptive -- The safety case at the heart of adaptive staging -- Attributes of adaptive staging -- The decision-making process -- Criteria for adaptive staging -- Meeting adaptive staging criteria does not guarantee success -- Geologic repository programs meet the adaptive staging criteria -- Staging in non-U.S. national repository programs -- A TYPICAL GEOLOGIC REPOSITORY PROGRAM: Technical context -- Institutional and societal context -- Adaptive staging is suitable for the development of a geologic repository -- IMPACTS OF ADAPTIVE STAGING ON A REPOSITORY PROGRAM: Knowledge gaps -- Impact on repository program's phases -- Impact on buffer storage requirements -- Impact on transportation -- Impact on program schedule and costs -- Impact on the monitoring program -- Impact on the long-term science and technology program -- Impact on safety -- Impact on security -- Impact on the regulatory framework -- Impact on the institutional and societal context -- Summary of potential benefits and drawbacks of Adaptive Staging -- SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS TO THE YUCCA MOUNTAIN PROJECT: Impacts of adaptive staging on the U.S. repository program -- Committee's assessment of the U.S. approach to staging -- Challenges facing the U.S. repository program -- Addressing these challenges -- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Committee's definition of a successful repository program -- Adaptive staging offers a promising approach to successful geologic repository development -- Effective adaptive staging involves the entire waste management system -- Iteration of the safety case is central to adaptive staging for geologic repositories -- Adaptive staging requires continuous and active learning in both technical and societal fields -- Adaptive staging encourages opportunities for interactions with stakeholders and the general public -- Adaptive staging can be compatible with current regulatory systems -- DOE has recognized potential advantages of staging -- Specific impacts of adaptive staging on the U.S. program.