[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

National Nuclear Security Administration

 

November 22, 2004

 

The Honorable John T. Conway

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington, D.C.  20004-2901

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

The Sandia Site Office (SSO) has been working aggressively to respond to your letter regarding the adequacy of the safety basis for nuclear facilities at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL).  The SSO, along with SNL, are in the process of completing self-assessments in preparation for a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Independent Review.  The NNSA Independent Review had been scheduled for completion on December 7, 2004, to allow a final briefing to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) before December 24, 2004, which is within the 90 days, as requested by your letter.  With the tragic and unexpected loss of William (Bill) T. Mullen, Technical Director, Nuclear Facilities & Safety Basis (NF&SB) at the SSO, the impact to the Site Office staff is significant.  As a result, the Independent Review is being rescheduled to assure the SSO has adequate preparation time to address the issues raised by the DNFSB.  To accommodate the SSO, I request a 30-day extension for a report and briefing to the Board.

 

Sincerely,

 

Linton F. Brooks

Administrator