[DNFSB LETTERHEAD]

 

July 31, 2008

 

The Honorable William C. Ostendorff

Principal Deputy Administrator

National Nuclear Security Administration

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-0701

 

Dear Mr. Ostendorff:

 

            The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) received the enclosed June 20, 2008, letter from Mr. David McCoy, Executive Director, Citizen Action New Mexico, regarding concerns at Sandia National Laboratories. The concerns focus on the Mixed Waste Landfill (MWL) facility. The Board has reviewed Mr. McCoy's letter and concluded that the jurisdictional predicate for the Board's oversight of the MWL is tenuous. Additionally, we understand that other state and federal entities are involved in oversight of environmental restoration activities at the MWL. As a result, the Board will not be providing any oversight resources to the issues raised by Mr. McCoy regarding the MWL at this time. We are referring Mr. McCoy's concerns to you, as well as the New Mexico Environment Department and the Department of Energy, for disposition.

 

            Also enclosed find the written statement that Mr. McCoy offered at the Board's

December 5, 2007, public hearing and meeting at Los Alamos National Laboratory. We provide this additional statement with the thought that it may be of further use in the evaluation of Mr. McCoy's concerns at the MWL.

 

Sincerely,

 

A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

 

Enclosures

 

c:

 

Mr. David McCoy, Executive Director

Citizen Action New Mexico