Kathryn Knapp

1
Community Environmental Monitoring Program
(CEMP) Then and Now

• Kathryn Knapp
• Environmental Protection Specialist
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
• National Nuclear Security Administration
• Nevada Site Office
• 2011 CEMP Workshop
• July 26, 2011

2
Inception of CEMP

• In 1981, Offsite Environmental Monitoring Program
  expanded to include community involvement
• Based on success of program developed in response
  to the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear
  power plant
• Designed to detect potential offsite radiological
  releases from underground nuclear detonations
  conducted at the Nevada National Security Site
  (NNSS), formerly the Nevada Test Site
• Radiation monitoring included pressurized ion
  chambers (PICs) for total gamma and high-energy
  beta radiation, thermoluminescent dosimeters
  (TLDs), and particulate air samplers for total
  suspended activity and radioactive particles
• Held town hall meetings to provide an opportunity
  for public to meet directly with DOE and to
  increase public knowledge

3
Historic Monitoring Results

• Underground nuclear detonations and reactor
  experiments from 1964 to 1972
• Most detonations were contained
• Events which released radioactivity detected
  offsite
• 30 detonations, 1 re-suspension,14 reactor
  experiments and 6 rocket engine tests
• Noble Gas and Tritium Surveillance Network
  results from 1972 to 1992
• Detonations were contained but continuous
  low-level release of noble gases (xenon and
  krypton) and tritium were detected offsite

4
CEMP Results(continued)

• Post-testing period
• From 1992 to present
• CEMP has not detected man-made radioactivity from
  NNSS
• Results typical of natural background

5
CEMP Goals

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

6
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

7
CEMP Goals(continued)

• Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
  communicate environmental data relevant to past
  and continuing activities at the NNSS
• Comprehensive monitoring efforts being conducted
  in support of the NNSS
• Data indicates site conditions do not pose
  potential for offsite dose to public from air or
  direct exposure from past or present activities
• Are data and risks being effectively
  communicated?
• Is the monitoring addressing communitys
  concerns?
• If designing a program today, what would it look
  like?

8
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

9
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

10
CEMP Goals (continued)

• Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
  environmental conditions in their communities
  relative to activities at the NNSS
• Use of Community Environmental Monitors (CEMs)
• 90 CEMs involved in CEMP over 30 years
• Setting up station at Las Vegas high school
• Do we need to engage the public beyond the CEMs?

11
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

12
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

13
CEMP Goals (continued)

• Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
  public in a transparent and accessible manner
• CEM workshops
• Website
• Annual Report
• Monitoring Stations
• DRI CEMP booth at community events
• DRI CEMP monthly updates
• Environmental Management News Flash updates
• Are we effectively communicating the data?
• Should DOE have a more active role?
• Should town hall meetings be re-considered?
• Hold workshops in local communities and invite
  public?

14
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

15
CEMP Goals(continued)

1. Monitor offsite environmental conditions and
   communicate environmental data relevant to past
   and continuing activities at the NNSS
2. Engage the public hands-on in monitoring
   environmental conditions in their communities
   relative to activities at the NNSS
3. Communicate environmental monitoring data to the
   public in a transparent and accessible manner
4. Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
   public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
   present activities at the NNSS

16
CEMP Goals (continued)

• Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for
  public inquiries and concerns regarding past and
  present activities at the NNSS
• DRI
• Educate CEMs and rely on them to be a resource
  within their communities
• Posters in local libraries
• Do we need to extend beyond the CEMs?
• Is the public interested?
• Should DOE have a more active role?

17
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18

• DOE committed to supporting a monitoring program
  that
• Involves stakeholders with a meaningful role in
  the process of monitoring, data collection, and
  represents DOE in their communities
• Adds value to the community and the DOE
• DOE is looking to CEMs in helping DOE be
  successful
• This workshop is your opportunity to help us
  define CEMP for the future