[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]

 

December 16, 2005

 

The Honorable Samuel W. Bodman

Secretary of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-1000

 

Dear Secretary Bodman:

 

The Department of Energy (DOE) submitted its implementation plan for Recommendation 2004-1, Oversight of Complex, High-Hazard Nuclear Operations, to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) on June 10, 2005.  Commitment 22 under that implementation plan deals with issuing and implementing expectations for DOE organizations regarding the implementation of Integrated Safety Management (ISM).  In particular, Deliverable B is a new DOE Manual on ISM.  The due date associated with the manual is December 2005.

 

It is important to note that ISM has been one of the primary success stories of the defense nuclear complex.  Your staff has been working with the Board’s staff to achieve a satisfactory product, and progress has been made.  However, the latest version of the manual still requires significant work before it will be suitable for issuance and implementation.  Rather than rush to meet a particular publishing deadline and potentially jeopardize the progress that has already been made on ISM, the Board proposes that our staffs continue to work together in a measured and deliberate manner to develop a quality manual.

 

Sincerely,

 

A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

 

c:   Dr. Chuan-Fu Wu

Mr. Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.