Energy.gov

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) uses mathematical models and monitoring-well data to understand and predict contaminated groundwater flow at former uranium processing sites. A more holistic understanding of groundwater systems may lead to more reliable models and better remediation strategies. Plants, for example, can influence the flow of groundwater. Plants with roots that tap groundwater to survive, called phreatophytes, can withdraw large volumes of water and alter groundwater flow.

On July 17 and 18, 2016, a fast-moving, naturally caused wildfire burned over the 360-acre Edgemont, South Dakota, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) Title II disposal site. The U.S. Department of Energy Office Legacy Management (LM) learned of the event early July 19, 2016, from a local rancher, whom LM permits to graze cattle on the site in return for fence maintenance and reporting local events that affect the site.

In July 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) achieved two key cleanup milestones at the Pinellas County, Florida, Site in Largo by completing work at two of the site’s four active remediation areas where DOE has been performing corrective actions under a Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments permit since 1990.

The Pinellas site is a former nuclear weapons component production facility 10 miles northwest of St. Petersburg that operated from 1957 to 1997. DOE has been remediating contaminated locations across the site for more than 25 years.

One goal of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (LM) Applied Studies and Technology (AS&T) program is to share new knowledge. LM and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) often share advances in applied science. In May 2016, AS&T scientist Dr. Jody Waugh traveled to Madrid, Spain, to give a keynote presentation at the IAEA International Conference on Advancing the Global Implementation of Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Programmes.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) evaluates web-based tools to enhance stakeholder engagement. Tools that are new or unique to DOE and result in positive evaluations are presented to the DOE Web Managers Council (Web Council). Such a tool was found in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Story Maps and examples of their use were presented this past September.

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (LM) is pleased to announce its newly released LM 2016–2025 Strategic Plan. This is the fourth strategic plan since LM’s inception in December 2003. Through the organization’s continued growth and learning, LM has adopted more effective and efficient ways to carry out responsibilities to both people and the environment. While the LM 2016–2025 Strategic Plan format remains the same as the 2011–2020 version, the plan has evolved to better accomplish LM’s mission and goals, and allocate taxpayer monies.

Retiring LM Director Recognized with Exceptional Service Award