94-21875. DOE Response to Recommendation 94-1, Improved Schedule for Remediation in the Defense Nuclear Complex of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-21875]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: September 6, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
     
    
    DOE Response to Recommendation 94-1, Improved Schedule for 
    Remediation in the Defense Nuclear Complex of the Defense Nuclear 
    Facilities Safety Board
    
    AGENCY: Department of Energy.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: Section 315(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 
    42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) requires the Department of Energy to publish its 
    response to Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board recommendations for 
    notice and public comment. The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
    published Recommendation 94-1, concerning an improved schedule for 
    remediation in the defense nuclear facilities complex, in the Federal 
    Register on June 3, 1994 (59 FR 28848).
    
    DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
    response are due on or before October 6, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the 
    Secretary's response to: Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 
    Indiana Avenue, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Mr. Thomas P. Grumbly, Assistant Secretary for Environmental 
    Management, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
    Washington, DC 20585.
    
        Issued in Washington, DC, on August 24, 1994.
    James M. Ahlgrimm,
    Acting Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities 
    Safety Board.
    
    The Honorable John T. Conway
    Chairman
    Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana Avenue, NW., 
    Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.
    
        Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter responds to your Recommendation 
    91-1, Improved Schedule for Remediation in the Defense Nuclear 
    Complex, of May 26, 1994. The Department shares the concerns 
    outlined in your letter, and we agree that there is a need to take 
    timely action to place the substances formerly used in the 
    manufacture of nuclear weapons into a state suitable for safe 
    interim storage. There are significant activities underway, such as 
    the Plutonium Vulnerability Study and the associated Management Plan 
    to address many of the hazards cited in your Recommendation.
        Your Recommendation calls for an integrated program plan to be 
    formulated on a high priority basis to convert, within two to three 
    years, the specific materials cited in the Recommendation to forms 
    or conditions suitable for safe interim storage. The Department 
    commits to develop a plan that will include the following 
    initiatives:
    
    a systems engineering approach to maximize the integration of 
    facilities and capabilities while minimizing worker exposures and 
    additional waste;
    research programs required to fill any gaps in the technological 
    information base;
    identification of those facilities that may be needed for future 
    handling and treatment of these materials;
    ensuring operational readiness in accordance with DOE Order 5480.31.
    
        This integrated program plan will develop detailed schedules for 
    specific activities cited in the Recommendation and will include 
    critical path activities; decision points, and resource 
    considerations necessary for successful program initiation and 
    completions. The plan will be utilized as a tool to assist in 
    determining the appropriate course of action to expeditiously 
    convert the material discussed in specific recommendations 3 through 
    7 to a form or condition more suitable for interim storage.
        The Department accepts Recommendation 94-1 conditioned upon the 
    understanding that complete conversion of all materials cited in 
    your Recommendation may not be accomplished within the time periods 
    described in the Recommendation. We look forward to working closely 
    with you and your staff to develop a responsive Implementation Plan 
    and activity schedules that meet our common goals. The 
    Implementation Plan will be forwarded to you in accordance with 42 
    U.S.C. 2286d.
        If you have further questions, please contact me, or have a 
    member of your staff contact Mr. Thomas Grumbly, Assistant Secretary 
    for Environmental Management, at (202) 586-7710.
          Sincerely,
    Hazel R. O'Leary.
    
    [FR Doc. 94-21875 Filed 9-2-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6450-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
09/06/1994
Department:
Energy Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
94-21875
Dates:
Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's response are due on or before October 6, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: September 6, 1994