[DOE LETTERHEAD]

December 16, 1999

The Honorable John T. Conway
Chairman
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board
625 Indiana Ave NW., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20004

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Defense Programs has taken steps to reduce demand on Department of Energy and contractor technical personnel at the Pantex Plant. This was accomplished by means of the following schedule realignments:

• Nuclear explosive safety study completion dates have been extended for the W88 (April 30, 2000) and W76 Disassembly and Inspection (June 30, 2000).
  
  
• The Basis for Interim Operations (BIO)/Technical Safety Requirements (TSR)/Integrated Safety Management Verification (ISMV) schedules were reprioritized around implementing the Lightning Protection BIO by April 1, 2000. We will combine the implementation of controls associated with the current Fire Justification for Continued Operation and W62 transportation controls into the site-wide TSRs and extend the implementation period of the site-wide TSRs to March 13, 2000.
  
  
• ISMV Phase 1 validation has been extended to April 30, 2000.
  

These schedule adjustments address the Pantex concerns the Board raised in their November 22, 1999, letter and also will not adversely affect our Department of Defense deliverables. A copy of the direction provided to the Mason and Hanger Corporation by the Albuquerque Operations Office is enclosed.

In that letter, the Board also raised concerns regarding the resumption of the complete agenda of operations at the Y-12 Plant. The Department is developing options for addressing the Board's concerns about progress at the Y-12 Plant. We will keep the Board advised of the progress on these issues at the Y-12 Plant.

Sincerely,

David E. Beck
Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Military Application and
Stockpile Operations
Defense Programs

Enclosure

cc:
R. Glass, AL
S. Goodrum, AL
K. Boardman, AL
M. Baca, AL
R. Levine, AL
D. Rose, AL
L. Kirkman, AL
D. Glenn, AAO
L. Dever, OR

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