[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

OFFICE OF RIVER PROTECTION

 

April 19, 2005

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Acting Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, N. W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004

 

Dear Mr. Eggenberger:

 

LETTER OF APPRECIATION FOR MARK SAUTMAN

 

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of River Protection (ORP), I would like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mark Sautman for his dedicated service as a Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board (DNFSB) Site Representative at Hanford from 1999 to 2005.

 

During Mark’s tenure at Hanford, he helped ORP identify, resolve, and understand several issues of importance to the DNFSB.  In the Tank Farms, Mark assisted with improvement of the Integrated Safety Management System and development of the Documented Safety Analysis.  At the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant construction site, he helped us understand the DNFSB’s perspective on highly complex issues regarding the control of explosive gases in waste processing systems, and assisted with the resolution of design issues with cesium ion exchange columns and building structure.

 

The insights Mark provided were invaluable in helping us reach a timely resolution on the DNFSB’s concerns.  We commend Mark for his ability to remain objective while actively involving himself in complex technical issues and we will miss his insight, experience, and open and honest communication.  We wish Mark success as he seeks new challenges at the Savannah River Site.

 

Sincerely,

 

Roy J. Schepens

Manager

 

cc:   K. Fortenberry, DNFSB

M. B. Whitaker, DR-1

S. M. Hahn, RL