[SOE LETTERHEAD]

 

June 28, 2007

 

The Honorable A. J. Eggenberger

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004-2901

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

The Department of Energy acknowledges receipt of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board’s Recommendation 2007-1, Safety-Related In Situ Nondestructive Assay of Radioactive Materials, issued on April 25, 2007.

 

The Department recognizes that continuous improvement in in situ nondestructive assay (NDA) is warranted to support nuclear safety in various activities carried out at Department defense nuclear facilities and, therefore, accepts Recommendation 2007-1.

Using the following approach, the Department will develop an Implementation Plan consistent with Integrated Safety Management System principles:

 

• Evaluate the condition of in situ NDA programs against evaluation criteria, which will be developed;
• Identify state of the practice, both commercial as well as within the Department, in training and qualification, design requirements for new facilities and equipment, standards for conducting in situ NDA, implementation of standards, and oversight;
• Identify any relevant ongoing research and development activities;
• Identify what is needed and any resulting gaps in personnel capabilities and training, equipment capabilities, policy and directives, and oversight;
• Establish requirements, programs, and guidance, as needed; and
• Develop a prioritized plan for implementing the above criteria and requirements.

 

I have assigned Mr. Richard Lagdon, Chief of Nuclear Safety, Office of the Under Secretary of Energy, as the Department’s responsible manager for developing the Implementation Plan.  He can be reached at (202) 586-9471.

 

Sincerely,

 

Samuel W. Bodman