[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

April 28, 2003

 

The Honorable John T. Conway

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004-2901

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

On January 21, 2003, the Department notified you that two milestones associated with the Implementation Plan for Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board Recommendation 2001-1 would be missed.  Specifically, the initial transfer of low curie salt to the Saltstone facility (Commitment 2.9 of the Implementation Plan) and the return of Tank 50 to service Commitment 3.4) were missed.  Significant uncertainty surrounded these activities at that time, and the Department proposed to delay providing new completion dates for both commitments until June of 2003.

 

The Department presently forecasts the return of Tank 50 to service (Commitment 3.4) by October 1, 2003.  This date allows for the currently planned material removal and a second cleaning cycle if needed.  If a second cleaning is not required, Tank 50 could be returned to service as early as June.

 

The Department presently forecasts the initial transfer of low curie salt to Saltstone (Commitment 2.9) by December 31, 2003.  This forecast provides for Tank 41 salt dissolution and material transfers after the return of Tank 50 to service (Commitment 3.4) and the necessary sampling verification to validate permit compliance.

 

The Department and its contractors are continuing to work to improve the schedule, and fully expect to meet or exceed the original commitment scope and these new commitment dates.

 

If you have any questions, please call me at (202) 586-0738 or Jeffrey M. Allison, Manager, Savannah River Operations Office at (803) 725-2405.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul M. Golan

Chief Operating Officer

Office of Environmental Management

 

cc:  Jessie Hill Roberson, EM-l

Mark Frei, EM-40

Mark Whitaker, S-3.1

Jeffrey M. Allison, SR