Involving the public in decision-making at federal facilities: The Department of Energy experience

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:416902

Gesalman, C M

The Department of Energy is involved in cleanup of a wide variety of sites used in the development and production of nuclear weapons. Substantial and increasing efforts have been made to involve the public in the planning and implementation of the cleanup projects. Early in the program, public participation was mainly an information transfer effort. More recently, innovative techniques have been used to increase public understanding of the tradeoffs required in making cleanup decisions (e.g., more stringent cleanup standards lead to higher costs). Sites now realize that relationships are key and are working to develop them. Advisory boards have been established at several sites. The methods of forming the boards have varied from site to site, as have the size of the group and the issues addressed. The effectiveness of the boards in their goal of improving public participation at the sites will be evaluated in the next fiscal year. DOE has sought public input on an increasing number of issues, such as future use of its facilities, environmental justice concerns, and budget development. Assumptions about future use of sites are crucial to setting realistic cleanup standards and controlling costs. Decisions made in the early phases of the budget process are now based in part on stakeholder input regarding priorities; for example, stakeholder concerns about and support for emphasizing plutonium cleanup at Rocky Flats have led to changes in priorities between the materials stabilization and environmental restoration programs. Environmental justice has become an increasing issue; sites must ensure that public participation programs effectively reach minority and low-income populations.

• OSTI ID: 416902
• Report Number(s): CONF-951023--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
DECISION MAKING
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PUBLIC OPINION
REMEDIAL ACTION