Kathryn Knapp Environmental Protection Specialist U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office 2011 CEMP Workshop July 26, 2011 Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP): Then and Now

Page 2 Page 2Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 2 Log No 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

Page 3 Page 3Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 3 Log No 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

Page 4 Page 4Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 4 Log No CEMP Results (continued) Post-testing period –From 1992 to present:  CEMP has not detected man-made radioactivity from NNSS  Results typical of natural background

Page 5 Page 5Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 5 Log No 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

Page 6 Page 6Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 6 Log No 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

Page 7 Page 7Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 7 Log No 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?

Page 8 Page 8Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 8 Log No 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

Page 9 Page 9Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 9 Log No 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

Page 10 Page 10Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 10 Log No 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)

Page 11 Page 11Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 11 Log No 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

Page 12 Page 12Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 12 Log No 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

Page 13 Page 13Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 13 Log No 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)

Page 14 Page 14Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 14 Log No 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

Page 15 Page 15Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 15 Log No 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

Page 16 Page 16Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 16 Log No 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)

Page 17 Page 17Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 17 Log No

Page 18 Page 18Title 86FY11 – 07/26/2011 – Page 18 Log No 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