ML19273B281
| ML19273B281 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/13/1979 |
| From: | Burns J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Martin J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-WM-1 NUDOCS 7904060069 | |
| Download: ML19273B281 (3) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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MAR 131979 MEMORANDUM FOR:
J. B. Martin, Director Division of Waste Management FROM:
Jackie Burns Division of Waste Management
SUBJECT:
MEETIrlG REPORT; MARCH 2-3, 1979, SAflTA FE, NEW MEXIC0 On March 2 and 3,1979, I informally met with:
Sally Rodgers, staff, Friends of the Earth, Environmental Clearinghouse Denise Fort, Counsel, Southwest Research and Information Center Cr t lKin, Southwes' Representative, Sierra Club Anne Murray, fl.M. Legislature, Legislative Council Service C'vles Young, fl.M. Legislature, Legislative Council Service The meetings were all separate and were all friendly and constructive--
I have met with all but Denise on prior occasions.
With the environmental representatives, I discussed who was active and what was going on in the state.
I confirmed that the primary national / grass roots environmental organization active at this time is Friends of the Earth.
The Sierra Club is cooperating but generally non-initiative.
Southwest Research is extremely active, has remained independent of other interest groups concerned with WIPP, and is considered by itself and others to be the prime provider on non-Fed information.
SRIC did not indicate an overwhelming desire to interact with other environmental groups (as contrasted with F0E and Sierra which view such interaction as necessary and appropriate to their function).
I was informed of a coalition of local New Mexico citizen groups in opposition to WIPP called C. A.R.D.--Citizens for Alternatives to Radioactive Dumping. Apparently, all local opposition groups are aligned in this coalition with the exception of the Land Preservation Council (contact:
Paula Tackett) which group is interested in issues beyond WIPP.
CARD has four regional (elected) representatives:
7904066D 69
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J. B. Martin 2
MAR 131979 Tom Law, Santa Fe Rosa Grado, Albuquerque Catherine Mead, Rozwell Roxanne Kartchner, Carlsbad Sally IF0E) deals regularly with the CARD representatives.
Also being formed is a pro-WIPP (industry related) group called flew Mexicans for Jobs and Energy headed by John Dendahl (who is with Eberline Co.).
Sally Rodgers (F0E) is concerned that alot of money will be funnelled through this organization from Westinghouse and others to put on a media blitz.
I also discussed the idea of f1RC public meetings to identify issues prior to preparation of an EIS. All were in favor of such meetings but were greatly concerned that the meetings not be structured as the DOE public meetings have been. We discussed the idea of a steering committee of four or five citizen group representatives to help us structure the meetings.
This was enthusiastically supported and all indicated a willingness to coopeate.
Recommended representatives included:
Sally Rodgers (F0E)
Peter Montague (SRIC)
One CARD Representative John Dendahl (pro-WIPP)
Bob Watt (independent interested in WIPP, retired from Los Alamos)
They were also concerned that NRC's role as judge be clearly articulated at the meetings.
As a passing tiought, Sally noted that in a door-to-door survey being conducted (either by CARD or if0E--not clear which) in three months, 19,000 responded as opposed to WIPP (an overwhelming majority),
including 90 percent of those questioned in Santa Fe (so far).
The survey is being conducted according to election districts.
Finally, all were disappointed in both NRC's and DOE's failure to develop a distribution list on WIPP matters (particularly meetings).
I let them know that there had been no meetingsrecently and that we would be establishing such a list.
In conversations with Anne Murray and Charlie Young (Legislative Council), I offered our assistance in their efforts to inform the legislature.
They are both staffing the current Interin Energy Committee and expect to staff any interim committee which might be formed on WIPP.
Thus far, their role has been largely reactive rather
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J. B. Martin
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Un 19 1079 than innovative; but they asked to be kept infonned of our thinking and that of other st.tes on " consultation and concurrence" options.
I said I would do so.
I note that they foresee some problems in passing Substitute House Bill 106 (creating a cabinet level Task Force and interim legislative committee).
The trouble might come from Gant's committee and/or the Finance committee. They will keep me informed.
Both Charlie and Anne foresee continued in-fighting among state agencies in gaining a role in the state review of WIPP.
fleither are sanguine about EID retaining primary lead.
Larry Kehoe, Secretary, Energy and Minerals Department, stepped in while I was meeting with Charlie Young. We introduced ourselves and he asked why I was in the state.
He expressed disappointment that his Department was not included in the discussions.
I indicated our willingness to meet with him, our difficulty in identifying interested state actors, and the history of our relationship with EID.
He was hopeful that if established, the Cabinet-level Task Force would work out such probl ems.
It is interesting to note t"t tha areas in which he indicated interest, include socioeconomit impacts, transportation, and mineral resource questions.
Several of those I spoke with independently mentioned that David King (nephew of Gov. King) and head of the
' nance Department was also interested in WIPP (primarily as a po.itical stepping stone).
I will folle on these meetings with Regis Boyle (service list and public.
ags) and will continue to interact with these folks to exchange information and ideas.
I found them all extremely cooperative.
M.l,fbt)
Jackie Burns Division of Waste Management cc:
R. Boyle