Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP): Then and Now

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

6. CEMP Goals(continued) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • 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 community’s concerns? • If designing a program today, what would it look like?

8. CEMP Goals(continued) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

9. CEMP Goals(continued) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • 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) • ~90CEMs 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) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

12. CEMP Goals(continued) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • 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) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • Provide an educated, trusted, local resource for public inquiries and concerns regarding past and present activities at the NNSS

15. CEMP Goals(continued) • Monitor offsite environmental conditions and communicate environmental data relevant to past and continuing activities at the NNSS • Engage the public hands-on in monitoring environmental conditions in their communities relative to activities at the NNSS • Communicate environmental monitoring data to the public in a transparent and accessible manner • 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?

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