Highlights for December 13 - December 17, 2004

Office of Safeguards and Security Evaluations (OA-10)

Site Assistance Visits (SAVs) for Design Basis Threat (DBT) Implementation: Onsite SAV activities were completed at Pantex this week (December 13-16). SAVs are scheduled for the Y-12 Nation al Security Complex (Y-12) and Savannah River Site (SRS) in 2005. The objective of the SAVs is to identify protection strategies and technologies to effectively implement the September 2004 design basis threat (DBT).

Control and Accountability of Classified Removable Electronic Media (CREM): The final draft report was reviewed by the quality review board this week.

Oversight Policy and Order, 226.1: The Policy has been forwarded to the Deputy Secretary for review and approval. Preparation of the Order for vetting through the DOE REVCOM process continued.

Chemical -Biological (Chem-Bio) Agent Special Review: A decision was made this week to reschedule the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) review from January to sometime later in 2005 based on onsite scoping activities conducted last week (December 6-10). Reviews scheduled to be conducted at the Oak Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratories (ORNL and LANL) are unchanged. The results of this special review may impact the implementation of current protection strategies across the Department.

Nuclear Materials Management Safeguards System (NMMSS) Task Force Report: Work continued to incorporate comments from the Quality Review Board (QRB) and management this week. Comments from NNSA are expected this week.

Safeguards and Security Lessons-Learned: The revised draft was completed this week for management review. The report is based on safeguard and security inspection results over the last two years. The report is being prepared for ESE and NNSA security managers and will identify positive attributes, areas needing improvement, and best practices to enhance protection programs throughout the Department.

Office of Cyber Security Evaluations (OA-20)

Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) Unclassified Cyber Security Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): An interim CAP is due in January 2005.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Cyber Security Inspection Corrective Action Plan (CAP): An extension of 30 days was granted to the site this week for the submission of the CAP. A draft CAP addressing issues identified as a result of the recent inspection is now due to OA in January.

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Cyber Security Inspection. Onsite validation and closeout activities were conducted this week (December 14-15). Comments to the inspection report are due the week of December 27.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Cyber Security Inspection. Preparations continued in support of this inspection scheduled for 2005. Data call documents are being reviewed. The Technical Assessment Protocol has been finalized. The scope of the inspection schedule is being expanded to address technical limitations regarding the testing of distributed computing systems at Western Regional Offices.

Department of Energy Architecture Repository (DEAR) Software Application Special Review: The draft inspection report was completed this week. A summary of initial findings had already been provided to OA, SSA and OCIO management. A security review of the DEAR software application, managed by the OCIO, is being performed in response to concerns raised by the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU).

South-Eastern Power Administration (SEPA) Cyber Security Inspection. Preparations continued this week in support of a cyber security inspection of SEPA scheduled for 2005. Communications with the SEPA Administrator to facilitate planning of the inspection activities continued.

Office of Emergency Management Oversight (OA-30)

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Emergency Management Follow-up Inspection: A decision was made this week to reschedule the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) follow-up review from January to sometime later in 2005 based on onsite scoping activities conducted last week (December 6-10).

Argonne National Laboratory-West (ANL-W) Emergency Management Targeted Review: The final report is scheduled to be issued in December. Line management has directed that compensatory measures be implemented to address program elements rated as having significant weaknesses pending development of long- term corrective actions. An interim corrective action plan is due within 30 days and a final corrective action plan within 60 days of the final report issuance.

Office of Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) Evaluations (OA-40)

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) ES&H Inspection: Comments to the inspection report were received from the site and changes are being incorporated.

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) Recommendation 2004-1, Oversight of Complex, High-Hazard Nuclear Operations: Continued to provide support to develop an implementation plan for this recommendation. A number of significant comments on the implementation plan have been provided and discussions held with the implementation plan team lead and team members.

New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL) ES&H Inspection: Onsite validation and closeout activities were completed this week (December 13-14). A final letter report was issued. An interim corrective action plan (CAP) is due to OA by December 24 and a final CAP is scheduled to be submitted by January 14.

Pantex Plant (Pantex) ES&H Inspection: Preparation continued in support of onsite planning and data collection activities.

ES&H Focus Area Reports: Preparation of the CY 04 reports continued. The review criteria and approaches for CY 2005 are under development.

Annual ES&H Lessons Learned Report: Development of the report summarizing the lessons learned from CY 2004 inspections continued.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) ES&H Inspection: Preparations continued this week in support of the scheduled 2005 inspection. Coordination continued with DOE site office and laboratory contacts to determine the appropriate scope for the upcoming inspection.

Investigation of Worker Vapor Exposure and Occupational Medicine Program Allegations at the Hanford Site Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Review continued of the CAP submitted to OA on November 17.

National Training Center (NTC) Safety Professional Development Program: Work continued for two courses scheduled for fast track development in early CY 2005. On November 5, the Secretary of Energy designated, the National Training Center (NTC) as the center of excellence in security and safety professional development. This initiative is in partnership with NNSA, EH, and other departmental organizations including the Federal FTCP. The Director, SSA, designated OA-40 senior staff to lead the safety professional development efforts.