[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 129 (Monday, July 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36271-36272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17612]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Office of Environmental Management; Release of Environmental 
Management Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Discussion Draft

AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy 
(DOE).

ACTION: Notice of opportunity for public comment

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the release of, 
and invites the public to comment on, the Office of Environmental 
Management's Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Discussion Draft. This 
document, which focuses on completing cleanup of as many DOE sites as 
possible by 2006, presents for discussion and comment a new strategic 
approach for managing the Environmental Management program, along with 
accompanying cost, work scope and schedule. The strategy set forth in 
the Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Discussion Draft reflects DOE's 
efforts to make its operations more efficient and reduce overall costs 
in order to maintain compliance with applicable requirements and 
protect public health and safety in the face of diminishing 
discretionary budgetary resources.

DATES: To continue its ongoing dialogue with the public, the Department 
is providing a comment period on the Discussion Draft that will extend 
through September 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Environmental Management 
Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Discussion Draft should be directed 
to: U.S. Department of Energy, Mr. Gene Schmitt, P.O. Box 44818, 
Washington, D.C. 20026-4481.
    Comments may also be provided electronically to: 
[email protected].
    Department of Energy Field sites have also completed site-specific 
Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Discussion Drafts and are holding 
concurrent public comment periods.

[[Page 36272]]

Comments on, or requests for copies of, Site Discussion Drafts should 
be submitted directly to the individual site points of contact listed 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for copies of the Discussion 
Draft or further information should be directed to the Center for 
Environmental Management Information (CEMI) at 1-800-736-3282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since its inception, the DOE's Office of 
Environmental Management has worked to safely manage wastes and clean 
up environmental releases from past practices. In response to the 
expressed desire of both the Administration and Congress to balance the 
Federal budget, the Environmental Management program is developing a 
strategy based on completing cleanup of as many DOE sites as possible 
by 2006. This vision acknowledges that, at a small number of sites, 
some environmental management functions (such as treatment and disposal 
of transuranic and high-level waste, and long-term monitoring 
operations) will continue beyond 2006. However, by 2006 it is 
envisioned that most Department of Energy Environmental Management 
sites will be able to stabilize and safely store their nuclear 
materials and clean up their land and buildings.
    The Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Discussion Draft focuses on 
risk reduction, protection of public and worker health and safety, 
maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and agreements, 
reducing waste generation, and continuing a collaborative relationship 
with stakeholders. A key goal of the Discussion Draft strategy is to 
identify areas in which the Department can become more efficient, such 
as focusing funds on more rapid cleanup and thereby reducing longer-
term ``mortgage'' costs of maintaining facilities. Other efficiency 
improvements and alternative management approaches are also identified 
for comment.
    Between June and September 1997, the Department will work with 
Tribal Nations, states, regulators, local governments and other 
stakeholders to refine the Accelerating Cleanup: Focus on 2006 
strategies presented in the Discussion Draft. The Department will 
release a Draft 2006 Plan later this year.
    The primary avenues for public involvement will continue to be 
through activities at individual DOE sites. During the public comment 
period, it is anticipated that additional issues and opportunities will 
be raised, and that the individual Operations and Field Offices will 
further refine their individual 2006 plans and support the analysis and 
development of the National Environmental Management Accelerating 
Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Draft Plan.
    Comments received may result in the development of Action Plans to 
resolve longer-term issues. Future versions of the Accelerating 
Cleanup: Focus on 2006 Plan will reflect changes in the Environmental 
Management program and progress made toward achieving the vision of 
completing cleanup of as many DOE sites as possible by 2006.
    Comments on Site Discussion Drafts should be submitted directly to 
the following individual site points of contact:

U.S. Department of Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office, Ms. Tracy 
Loughead, Pennsylvania and H Street, Kirtland Air Force Base, 
Albuquerque, NM 87116, 505/845-5977
U.S. Department of Energy, Ohio Field Office, Mr. Ken Morgan, 1 Mound 
Road, Miamisburg, OH 45342-3020, 513/865-3968
U.S. Department of Energy, Carlsbad Area Office, Mr. Dennis Hurtt, P.O. 
Box 3090, Carlsbad, NM 88221, 505/234-7485
U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations Office, Mr. Walter 
Perry, 200 Administration Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, 423/241-6417
U.S. Department of Energy, Chicago Operations Office, Ms. Mary Jo Acke, 
9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, 630/252-8796
U.S. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office, Mr. Jim Daily, 
825 Jadwin Avenue, Richland, WA 99352, 509/376-7721
U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, Ms. Kathy Whitaker, 
850 Energy Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401, 208/526-1062
U.S. Department of Energy, Rocky Flats Field Office, Mr. Mike Konczal, 
Highway 93 and Cactus Road, Golden, CO 80402, 303/966-7095
U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office, Mr. Kevin Rohrer, 
2621 Losee Road, North Las Vegas, NV 89030-4134, 702/295-0197
U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, Ms. 
Virginia Kay, PM&CD, Aiken, SC 29801, 803/725-5752
U.S. Department of Energy, Oakland Operations Office, Mr. Ron Duvall, 
1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612-5208, 510/637-1812

    Issued in Washington, D.C., June 27, 1997.
Alvin L. Alm,
Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management, U.S. Department of 
Energy.
[FR Doc. 97-17612 Filed 7-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P