Kathryn KnappEnvironmental Protection SpecialistU.S. Department of Energy (DOE),

National Nuclear Security AdministrationNevada Site Office

2011 CEMP WorkshopJuly 26, 2011

Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP):

Then and Now

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Inception of CEMP• In 1981, Offsite Environmental Monitoring Program expanded to include

community involvement

– Based on success of program developed in response to the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant

• Designed to detect potential offsite radiological releases from underground nuclear detonations conducted at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), formerly the Nevada Test Site

– Radiation monitoring included pressurized ion chambers (PICs) for total gamma and high-energy beta radiation, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), and particulate air samplers for total suspended activity and radioactive particles

• Held town hall meetings to provide an opportunity for public to meet directly with DOE and to increase public knowledge

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Historic Monitoring Results • Underground nuclear detonations and reactor experiments from 1964

to 1972

– Most detonations were contained

– Events which released radioactivity detected offsite:

30 detonations, 1 re-suspension,14 reactor experiments and 6 rocket engine tests

• Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network results from 1972 to 1992

– Detonations were contained but continuous low-level release of noble gases (xenon and krypton) and tritium were detected offsite

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CEMP Results(continued)

• Post-testing period

– From 1992 to present:

CEMP has not detected man-made radioactivity from NNSS

Results typical of natural background

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CEMP Goals

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

– Comprehensive monitoring efforts being conducted in support of the NNSS

– Data indicates site conditions do not pose potential for offsite dose to public from air or direct exposure from past or present activities

Are data and risks being effectively communicated? Is the monitoring addressing community’s concerns? If designing a program today, what would it look like?

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

– Use of Community Environmental Monitors (CEMs) ~90 CEMs involved in CEMP over 30 years

– Setting up station at Las Vegas high school

Do we need to engage the public beyond the CEMs?

CEMP Goals(continued)

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

– CEM workshops– Website– Annual Report– Monitoring Stations– DRI CEMP booth at community events– DRI CEMP monthly updates– Environmental Management News Flash updates

Are we effectively communicating the data? Should DOE have a more active role? Should town hall meetings be re-considered? Hold workshops in local communities and invite public?

CEMP Goals(continued)

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CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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Log No. 2011-227

CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS

2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS

3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner

4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

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4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

– DRI

– Educate CEMs and rely on them to be a resource within their communities

– Posters in local libraries Do we need to extend beyond the CEMs? Is the public interested? Should DOE have a more active role?

CEMP Goals(continued)

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• DOE committed to supporting a monitoring program that:

– Involves stakeholders with a meaningful role in the process of monitoring, data collection, and represents DOE in their communities

– Adds value to the community and the DOE

• DOE is looking to CEMs in helping DOE be successful

– This workshop is your opportunity to help us define CEMP for the future