[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61-62]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-34196]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Department of Energy (DOE) Implementation Plan for Recommendation 
97-2 of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), 
Criticality Safety

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board published 
Recommendation 97-2, concerning criticality safety at defense nuclear 
facilities in the DOE complex, on May 29, 1997 (62 FR 2918). Under 
section 315(e) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2286d(e), the Department of Energy must transmit an implementation plan 
on Recommendation 97-2 to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 
after acceptance by the Secretary. The Department's implementation plan 
was sent to the DNFSB on December 12, 1997, and is available for review 
in the Department of Energy Public Reading Rooms and on the internet 
site, http://dr.tis.doe.gov/.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, data, views, or arguments concerning the 
implementation plan to: Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, 
SW, Washington, D.C. 20585.

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 D.C. 
20585.


[[Page 62]]


    Issued in Washington, D.C., on December 23, 1997.
Joseph Arango,
Acting Departmental Representative to the Defense Nuclear Facilities 
Safety Board.
December 12, 1997.
The Honorable John T. Conway,
Chairman, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana 
Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20004.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: We are pleased to forward the Department's 
Implementation Plan for Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's 
Recommendation 97-2, Criticality Safety. This Plan addresses the 
need for improved criticality safety practices and coherent programs 
to alleviate the potential adverse impacts on safety and 
productivity of Department of Energy operations. It builds upon the 
successful actions taken in response to Board Recommendation 93-2, 
The Need for Critical Experiment Capability, which is being 
implemented through the Nuclear Criticality Predictability Program. 
Because the Implementation Plan for Recommendation 97-2 incorporates 
ongoing Nuclear Criticality Predictability Program activities, I 
propose closure of Recommendation 93-2.
    To continue successful implementation of Recommendation 93-2 and 
implement Recommendation 97-2 in an integrated fashion, the 
Department is taking steps to ensure stable funding for these 
important crosscutting safety activities now and in the outyears. We 
have established a responsible line manager and identified necessary 
funding for fiscal years 1998 and 1999.
    The Implementation Plan was prepared by a cross-organizational 
response team reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Defense 
Programs in coordination with other affected Headquarters and Field 
offices. Dr. Robin Staffin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research 
and Development, Office of Defense Programs, will be the responsible 
manager for implementing this plan. He can be reached at (202) 586-
7590.
    Sincerely,
Federico Pena.
[FR Doc. 97-34196 Filed 12-31-97; 8:45 am]
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