[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51092-51093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24989]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Draft Nonproliferation and Arms Control Assessment of Weapons-
Usable Fissile Material Storage and Plutonium Disposition Alternatives

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Intent; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy intends to provide a final 
opportunity for a dialogue with and input from the public on the Draft 
Nonproliferation and Arms Control Assessment of Weapons-Usable Fissile 
Materials Storage and Plutonium Disposition Alternatives Report. The 
Assessment reviews the nonproliferation and arms control implications 
of the reasonable alternatives under evaluation by the Department as 
identified in the Storage and Disposition of Weapons-Usable Fissile 
Materials Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Draft 
PEIS) February 1996, DOE/EIS-0229-D. The Draft Report assesses the 
relative nonproliferation and arms control benefits and vulnerabilities 
of each alternative and identifies potential steps that could be taken 
to maximize the associated benefits and minimize the associated 
liabilities. The report will be used by the Department, in conjunction 
with environmental impact analyses, analyses of the cost, schedule and 
technical viability assessment of each option, other reports and public 
comments, in making a final decision on how to store weapons-usable 
fissile materials and dispose of surplus plutonium.

DATES: The Draft Report will be available electronically on October 1, 
1996, at http://ww2.dp.doe.gov/www.nn.doe.gov/nn/index.html. Copies 
will also be available in DOE Reading Rooms. On October 7, 1996, copies 
of the Draft Report will be mailed to interested parties identified 
during the Outline Review phase or who have otherwise requested copies. 
To request a copy, please call 1-800-835-8009.
    All comments on the Draft Report are due by November 6, 1996. 
Written comments may be sent to: Nonproliferation Assessment, U.S. 
Department of Energy, NN-42 JAP, 1000

[[Page 51093]]

Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585.
    Electronic mail comments can be sent to [email protected].
    Comments received by November 6, 1996, will be considered in the 
Final Report. Comments received after that date will be considered by 
DOE to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: In an effort to provide more time for review of the report 
and maximize the opportunity for public participation, the Department 
will hold meetings at the following locations:

October 28
    Oakland CA
    Oakland Operations Office--Oakland Federal Building, Roybal 
Auditorium, North Tower, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612

    Las Vegas, NV
    U.S. Department of Energy Auditorium, Las Vegas Operations Office, 
2753 South Highland, Las Vegas, NV 89101

    Idaho Falls, ID (Televideo)
    Idaho Operations Office, Building ID/South--Room 78, 785 DOE Place, 
Idaho Falls, ID 83401

October 30
    Hanford, WA
    Richland Operations Office, Federal Building Auditorium, 825 Jadwin 
Avenue, Richland, WA 99352

    Portland, OR
    Bonneville Power Administration, Room 106-905 N.E. 11th Street, 
Portland, OR 97232

November 1
    Washington, DC
    U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building Auditorium, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585

November 4
    Pantex, Amarillo, TX
    Sunset Convention Center, 3701 Plains Boulevard, Amarillo, TX 79103
    Rocky Flats, CO
    Arvada Center for the Arts, Banquet Hall A--6901 Wadsworth 
Boulevard, Arvada, CO 80003

November 6
    Savannah River, SC
    North Augusta Community Center, Banquet Rooms A1/A2, 495 Brookside 
Avenue, North Augusta, GA 29841
    Oak Ridge, TN
    Pollard Auditorium, 210 Badger Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

    There will be two sessions at each location: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm and 
5:00 pm-8:30 pm.
    For additional information or to preregister for any of the 
meetings, please call 1-800-835-8009.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 1, 1996, the Department of Energy 
issued a Federal Register Notice of Intent; Request for Public Comment 
(61 FR 33909) regarding the outline and subsequent draft of a 
Nonproliferation and Arms Control Assessment to consider the 
nonproliferation and arms control implications of the reasonable 
alternatives under evaluation by the Department as identified in the 
Storage and Disposition of Weapons-Usable Fissile Materials Draft 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Draft PEIS) February 1996, 
DOE/EIS-0229-D.
    The study, while not conducted as part of the formal National 
Environmental Policy Act process, was based on the outline which 
received public comment and was reviewed by a panel of experts. This 
panel was convened as a subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy's 
Advisory Board (SEAB).
    In soliciting public participation in the review of the Draft 
Report, the Department of Energy does not intend to revisit the PEIS. 
It does, however, invite interested agencies, organizations and the 
general public to provide comments and/or participate in informal 
meetings on the Draft Report. Written and oral comments will be 
accepted at these meetings to be held at the times and locations listed 
above. Persons desiring to participate in the meetings are requested to 
preregister by calling the toll-free number listed no later than one 
week prior to the meeting.
    Comments will also be accepted by mail, via electronic mail or over 
the toll-free number listed above.

    Issue Date: September 24, 1996.
Michael V. McClary,
Executive Officer, Office of Arms Control and Nonproliferation.
[FR Doc. 96-24989 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
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