[DOE LETTERHEAD]

December 6, 1999

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

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Department of Energy (DOE) Implementation Plan (commitment 5.4.2(c)) for the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board) Recommendation 98-2, "Safety Management at the Pantex Plant," requires DOE to evaluate the program directives governing the composition and functioning of the Nuclear Explosive Safety Study Group (NESSG). A revision to the DOE- STD-3015-YY is forthcoming per Board Recommendation 98-2. The planned adjustments in the NESSG composition and activities were contained in the August 23, 1999, decision report to you.

Concurrent with these actions, DOE has completed the DOE biennial review to incorporate lessons learned since the implementation of the DOE 452 Series Orders. Enclosed for your information and use are the revised DOE Orders 452.1B, "Nuclear Explosive and Weapon Surety Program," and 452.2B, "Safety of Nuclear Explosive Operations." The revised directives are being forwarded to the DOE Directives Management Team, MA-4, for processing and publication.

In response to your October 15, 1999, letter, enclosed is the NESSG implementation guidance that describes and directs the restructuring of the NESSG. Also enclosed is a letter sent to the three national laboratory directors requesting their assistance in recruiting an senior panel to enhance the quality of the nuclear explosive operation review process.

If you have questions, please contact me or have your staff contact Dr. Helmut Filacchione at 301-903-7519.

Sincerely,

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

Enclosures

cc w/enclosures:
M. Whitaker, S-3.1

Note: This enclosure is available in [PDF].