[DOE LETTERHEAD]

 

National Nuclear Security Administration

 

November 22, 2004

 

The Honorable John T. Conway

Chairman

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

625 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 700

Washington, D.C. �20004-2901

 

Dear Mr. Chairman:

 

The Sandia Site Office (SSO) has been working aggressively to respond to your letter regarding the adequacy of the safety basis for nuclear facilities at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). �The SSO, along with SNL, are in the process of completing self-assessments in preparation for a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Independent Review. �The NNSA Independent Review had been scheduled for completion on December 7, 2004, to allow a final briefing to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) before December 24, 2004, which is within the 90 days, as requested by your letter. �With the tragic and unexpected loss of William (Bill) T. Mullen, Technical Director, Nuclear Facilities & Safety Basis (NF&SB) at the SSO, the impact to the Site Office staff is significant. �As a result, the Independent Review is being rescheduled to assure the SSO has adequate preparation time to address the issues raised by the DNFSB.� To accommodate the SSO, I request a 30-day extension for a report and briefing to the Board.

 

Sincerely,

 

Linton F. Brooks

Administrator