[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

June 10, 2003

 

The Honorable John T. Conway

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW

Suite 700

Washington, D.C. 20004-2901

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

The Secretary has asked me to provide an interim status to your April 10, 2003, letter regarding Sludge Removal at Hanford.� As a result of proposals developed by the Hanford Spent Nuclear Fuel Project, I directed my Chief Operating Officer to review site recommendations and current status.� His findings indicate that additional effort is needed to develop a more credible path forward consistent with the Environmental Management mission to provide for safe and effective operations.� This activity is expected to be complete within the next 45 days. A full report will be provided to you at that time.

 

If you have any questions, please call me at (202) 586-7709 or Mr. Paul Golan, Chief Operating Officer, at (202) 586-0738.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jessie Hill Roberson

Assistant Secretary for

Environmental Management

 

cc:� Mark Whitaker, DR-1