[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

National Nuclear Security Administration

 

Pantex Site Office

 

November 30, 2005

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004

 

RE:       NNSA Readiness Review Validations of On-site Transportation Technical Safety Requirements

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

The Pantex Site Office (PXSO) is pleased to report the completion of the NNSA readiness review validations of all Pantex on-site transportation technical safety requirements (TSR).  These controls enhance the safety of on-site nuclear explosives and nuclear material movements.  PXSO elected to validate the on-site transportation controls in four readiness assessments performed in accordance with DOE Order 425.1.C after the controls were declared effective by BWXT.  Validation using the Department’s readiness review process has proven beneficial in ensuring the controls are flowed down into appropriate procedures/work instructions and that they are well understood by Pantex personnel.

 

In Commitment 4.3.4 of the Department's Implementation Plan for DNFSB Recommendation 98-2, we committed to validate implementation of the TSR controls for on-site transportation of nuclear explosives at Pantex and provide the Board with the final report.  PXSO has been providing information for the 98-2 Quarterly Report on the status of 44 on-site transportation TSRs.  This represents the entire set of controls related to movement of all nuclear materials on-site (not just the movement of nuclear explosives) since we knew the Board was interested in those as well.

 

In the last 98-2 Quarterly Report dated October 28, 2005, it was explained that two of the controls are no longer required as TSR level controls and two have been identified as planned improvements since existing transportation controls provide the necessary protection.  Attachment 1 shows all 44 controls identified by the TSR Integrated Implementation Plan number and organized by the PXSO readiness review that validated implementation.  It also identifies the four that are either no longer required or are identified as a planned improvement.  Since the amount of documentation associated with the readiness assessments is very extensive, we did not include it in this correspondence.  We have gone over the details with and have provided copies to your local site representatives.

 

Pantex is making significant safety improvements through the implementation of TSRs.  PXSO is committed to ensuring implementation of all TSR controls at Pantex in the near future and will keep the Board informed through interaction between our staffs on that progress.  With this correspondence, the Department considers Commitment 4.3.4 of the 98-2 Implementation Plan completed.

 

If you have questions, please contact me at (806) 477-3180 or Steve Erhart of my staff at (806) 477-6150.

 

Sincerely,

 

Daniel E. Glenn

Manager

 

Attachment

 

cc w/attachment:

M. Schoenbauer, NA-12, FORS

X. Ascanio, NA-224, GTN

M. Whitaker, DR-1

S. Erhart, PXSO, 12-36

K. Waltzer, PXSO, 12-36