On June 26-28, 1996, thirty Community Leaders Network participants and 24 focus area representatives attended the semi-annual CLN workshop in Washington, D.C.
As the federal government becomes more aware of the value of involving the public in decision- making processes, the U.S. Department of Energy has been working with stakeholders to garner their input on technology development issues. For the past three years, participants from CLN have been providing input to DOE's Office of Science and Technology. Since the spring of 1995, they have been providing insightful comments and community perspectives on technology developments within DOE's focus areas.
CLN Chairperson Richard Brusuelas commented that the June workshop "was successful in that it offered CLN participants the opportunity to roll up our sleeves and get some work done. It also allowed for stakeholder interaction [with focus area representatives] on a level that CLN has not had before." With CLN's mission to provide stakeholder feedback to the Office of Science and Technology in mind (see Initiatives, April 1996), Brusuelas presented an overview of CLN and focus area interaction since November 1995. His presentation also included several CLN participant observations of focus area and OST programmatic interaction. Brusuelas and the other CLN presenters also recommended creating guidelines for enhancing future CLN participation in OST activities.
Following the plenary session, the group divided into subgroups by focus area. The mixed waste focus area subgroup outlined a plan for interaction, the budget process, broader community interaction, technology criteria, and policy review. The subsurface contaminants focus area subgroup recommended increased focus on communication, education, outreach, program planning, and site tours. The decontamination and decommissioning focus area subgroup discussed needs for increased communication, a review of strategy and policy papers, and more information regarding the issues confronting the focus area. The tanks focus area subgroup discussed CLN involvement in tank site primer review, multi-year program plan review, budget review, communication strategy, Site Technology Coordination Group interaction, a tank closure working group, and the Hanford Tank Initiative.
Three working meetings are planned with the mixed waste, subsurface contaminants, and decontamination and decommissioning focus areas to provide CLN participants with more detailed information on the issues and problems confronting the focus areas. The tanks focus area has already held a meeting with CLN. The working meetings are designed to more fully delineate the areas of CLN interaction and involvement with the focus areas.
