[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

National Nuclear Security Administration

 

May 16, 2005

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Acting Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004-2901

 

Dear Dr. Eggenberger:

 

On March 18, 2005, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) sent a letter to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) requesting results of a condition assessment and mapping of building leaks and structural cracks at the Device Assembly Facility at the Nevada Test Site. �The enclosures to this letter contain the assessment and mapping of building leaks; folder 1 contains photographs of building leaks; folder 2 contains the leak locations plotted on floor plans, and includes a summary table identifying the probable source of the leaks. �Results of the building leak assessment were discussed with your staff on April 27, 2005. �This discussion included our path forward for the planning and repairing of building leaks on a priority basis. �A copy of our final plan to repair these leaks will be provided to you once completed.

 

Mapping of the structural cracks is underway. �Results of the preliminary survey were also discussed with your staff. �The final results will be provided to the Board by June 2005. �In addition, steps have been taken to start the comprehensive review of the structural capability of the Device Assembly Facility. �A draft Seismic Analysis and Evaluation Plan has been developed and discussed with your staff. �This plan includes Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis, Geotechnical Investigation, Site Response Analysis, Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis and Building Evaluation, and Qualification of Installed Safety Equipment. �This plan is expected to be finalized in the next 30 days.

NNSA will keep the Board and its staff apprised of the progress on resolving this issue.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me or have your staff call Ms. Laura Tomlinson at the Nevada Site Office, telephone number 702-295-2588.

 

Sincerely,

 

Linton F. Brooks

Administrator

 

Enclosures

 

cc: ��K. Carlson, NSO, w/o enclosures

M. Whitaker. DR-1, w/o enclosures