[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 67417-67418] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-33569] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD Notice of Meeting Board Meeting: January 20 (beginning at 1 p.m.) & 21, 1998-- Amargosa Valley, Nevada: Department of Energy (DOE) program update, public input to the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, the DOE thermal testing program, saturated zone hydrology, and the saturated zone expert elicitation project. Pursuant to its authority under section 5051 of Public Law 100-203, the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will hold its winter meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 20-21, 1998, in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at the Longstreet Inn and Casino, HCR 70, Box 559, Amargosa Valley, Nevada 89020; Tel (702) 372-1777; Fax (702) 372-1280. The meeting will include an update on the DOE's nuclear waste management program and activities at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and sessions on the DOE's thermal testing program, saturated zone flow and transport modeling, and the saturated zone expert elicitation project. A session also will be held concerning the board's activities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). A detailed agenda will be available approximately two weeks prior to the meeting by fax or e- mail, or at the Board's website, www.nwtrb.gov. In 1993, the Congress passed the Government Performance and Results Act, intending to improve confidence in government by holding agencies accountable for activities that affect taxpayers lives. The law requires every federal agency to develop a strategic plan, including the critical component of a statement addressing how the agency plans to conduct itself while carrying out its mission. During the GPRA session at the winter meeting in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, the Board would like to solicit comments from the public concerning the Board's value statement, which follows. The Board takes very seriously its role as a major source of technical and scientific peer review of the nation's program to package, transport, and dispose of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. To that end, the Board will:Ensure Board practices and procedures are conducted with integrity and objectivity that are beyond reproach. Produce timely, complete, comprehensive, and thoughtful scientific and techical analyses. Communicate the Board's findings and recommendations at least twice a year clearly, and in a timely manner that is most beneficial to the Congress, the Department of Energy, and the public. Ensure the Board's findings and recommendations are based on current and accurate information. Ensure the Board conducts itself in an open and accessible manner. The Board will ask those present to answer three questions: 1. Does the Board conduct its meetings in an open, objective, and fair manner? For example, are members of the public treated with respect and consideration when participating in the meetings? 2. Given the technical and often detailed nature of the Board's work, does the Board explain its major points and positions in reports and letters so that they are understandable? For example, is there a general understanding of the reasons for the Board's recommendation to construct an east-west crossing of the potential repository block at Yucca Mountain? 3. Most important, to what extent is the Board a credible source of scientific and technical advice to the Department of Energy and the Congress? In general, what is the basis for your opinion? In responding to these questions, those present will be asked to keep in mind that the scope of the Board's work is defined specifically in federal law. That law, P.L. 100-203, December 22, 1987, mandates that the Board is to evaluate the scientific and technical work of the Department of Energy in its commercial nuclear waste disposal program, including waste packaging and transportation activities. Time has been set aside for oral comments from the public on these issues. Depending on the number of speakers, time limits may have to be imposed. Preprinted comment sheets will be available at the meeting for use in submitting written comments. Also, additional time has been set aside on both days for the public to [[Page 67418]] comment on the technical issues raised during the meeting. Those wishing to speak are encouraged to sign the Public Comment Register at the check-in table. A time limit may have to be set on the length of individual remarks; however, written comments of any length may be submitted for the record. Transcripts of this meeting will be available via e-mail, on computer disk, or on a library-loan basis in paper format from Davonya Barnes, Board staff, beginning February 18, 1998. For further information, contact Frank Randall, External Affairs, 2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 1300, Arlington, Virginia 22201-3367; (Tel) 703-235- 4473; (Fax) 703-235-4495; (E-mail) [email protected]. The Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board was created by Congress in the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987 to evaluate the technical and scientific validity of activities undertaken by the DOE in its program to manage the disposal of the nation's commercial spent nuclear fuel and defense high-level waste. In the same legislation, Congress directed the DOE to characterize a site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for its suitability as a potential location for a permanent repository for the disposal of that waste. Dated: December 19, 1997. William Barnard, Executive Director, Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. [FR Doc. 97-33569 Filed 12-23-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-AM-M