[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40807-40808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20020]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


DOE Response to Recommendation 97-2 of the Defense Nuclear 
Facilities Safety Board, Continuation of Criticality Safety at Defense 
Nuclear Facilities in the Department of Energy (DOE) Complex

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board published 
Recommendation 97-2, concerning Continuation of Criticality Safety at 
Defense Nuclear Facilities in the Department of Energy (DOE) Complex, 
in the Federal Register on May 29, 1997 (62 CFR 29118). Section 315(b) 
of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) 
requires the Department of Energy to transmit a response to the Defense 
Nuclear Facilities Safety Board by July 14, 1997. The Secretary's 
response follows.

DATES: Comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the Secretary's 
response are due on or before August 29, 1997.

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: Dr. Robin Staffin, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Research and Development, Office of Defense Programs, 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 
20585.


[[Page 40808]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 14, 1997.
Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.,
Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
Board.

The Secretary of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

July 14, 1997.
The Honorable John T. Conway,
Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana 
Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20004.

    Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter acknowledges receipt of 
Recommendation 97-2 issued on May 19, 1997, addressing the need for 
improved criticality safety practices and programs to alleviate 
potential adverse impacts on safety and productivity of Department 
of Energy operations. The Department accepts Recommendation 97-2 to 
assure the continuation of criticality safety at defense nuclear 
facilities.
    To acquire a common understanding of issues raised in 
Recommendation 97-2, we surveyed criticality safety professionals at 
our major sites. The survey identified the following three general 
understandings which will be the foundation for the Implementation 
Plan.
     The Department has not efficiently integrated 
criticality safety as part of work planning and implementation 
uniformly across the complex.
     We are aware of emerging criticality safety issues as 
the Department transitions from nuclear weapons production to 
materials stabilization; facilities deactivation, decontamination 
and decommissioning; and packaging, transportation and 
dispositioning of fissile materials.
     The Department needs to develop new guidance and 
technical support resources to address criticality safety issues.
    The Department recognized the need to integrate safety into its 
work. Initiatives are being implemented, as appropriate, to apply 
graded or tailored approaches to the work and any associated 
hazards. We are focussing on improved work performance and feedback 
as part of an overall Integrated Safety Management program.
    The Department is aware of the challenges posed by the need to 
stabilize nuclear materials, deactivate contaminated facilities, and 
provide secure and safe storage of fissile materials. Therefore, our 
response to Recommendation 97-2 will be tailored to address 
criticality safety concerns where they exist. In conjunction with 
key line managers, the Department will form a group of criticality 
safety experts from the 2 Department of Energy and contractor 
communities to provide advice and assistance in development of a 
Recommendation 97-2 Implementation Plan. To ensure efficient 
operations of this criticality safety program and to build upon the 
successes of activities under way, we plan to integrate continuing 
actions under the 93-2 Implementation Plan into the 97-2 
Implementation Plan, and propose closure of Recommendation 93-2.
    Dr. Robin Staffin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and 
Development, Office of Defense Programs; and Mr. David Huizenga, 
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Materials and 
Facilities Stabilization, Office of Environmental Management, are 
the responsible co-managers for preparing the Implementation Plan. 
Dr. Staffin will serve as the principal point of contact with the 
Board and will work with you and your staff to develop an acceptable 
Implementation Plan meeting our mutual expectations.

   Sincerely,
Federico Pena
[FR Doc. 97-20020 Filed 7-29-97; 8:45 am]
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