Lab upgrades to Security Condition 2

Contact: Kevin Roark, knroark@lanl.gov, (505) 665-0582 (03-034)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., March 18, 2003 -- Consistent with national terrorist threat level orange, announced last evening by President Bush, the National Nuclear Security Administration has directed Los Alamos National Laboratory to upgrade to Security Condition (SECON) two.

According to security and safeguards division there continue to be no known immediate threats to the Laboratory. Laboratory management, as always, continues to closely monitor the security status of the Laboratory and will take reasonable and prudent precaution as required.

The Laboratory has implemented several actions to achieve SECON 2 by increasing security patrols and establishing additional traffic controls at key Laboratory locations and maintaining the Pajarito Road corridor restrictions, as well as other less visible activities. It is not known at this time how long the Laboratory will remain at SECON 2.

Pajarito Road is currently limited to badge holders only. This restriction has remained in place continuously since the Laboratory upgraded to SECON 2 in Feb. and will remain in place until further notice, regardless of SECON level. One badge holder per vehicle will be required and that badge holder will be responsible for any other passengers in the vehicle.

To lessen the possibility of traffic tie-ups, Laboratory personnel and area motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes unless they have a specific need to enter the Pajarito Road corridor.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.