ML20265A400
| ML20265A400 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/22/2020 |
| From: | David Alley NRC/NMSS/DMSST/FSTB |
| To: | |
| TALLEY S/NMSS/MSST | |
| References | |
| Download: ML20265A400 (2) | |
Text
September 22, 2020
SUBJECT:
THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL ACTIONS TO ADDRESS URANIUM CONTAMINATION IN THE NAVAJO NATION To Whom It May Concern:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other Federal agencies, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the Indian Health Service are working to address uranium contamination in consultation with the Navajo Nation. In 2007, the agencies developed a coordinated 5Year Plan that outlined a strategy to gain a better understanding of the scope of the problem and address the greatest risks first. In 2014, the agencies published a second 5-Year Plan that builds on the information gathered and the lessons learned during the first 5 years. This second plan includes a cross-cutting strategy on outreach and education.
Federal agencies joined with Navajo Nation government agencies to establish a Community Outreach Network to collaborate on outreach programs and to share information on activities initiated by member agencies. https://www.epa.gov/navajo-nation-uranium-cleanup/abandoned-uranium-mines-federal-plans#2014-2018.
As part of its efforts to support knowledge development in the Navajo Nation under the 5-Year Plan, the NRC has supported Navajo Technical Universitys (NTU) efforts to establish a 2-year degree program in radiation safety. The NRC Technical Training Center has created a slate of publicly available online courses and the NRC committed to sharing this courseware to build the programs curriculum. NTU has taken advantage of the availability of this courseware and offered a pilot session of Fundamental Health Physics during the 2017-2018 school year.
Over the last two years, the NRC has coordinated meetings with NTU faculty and recommended resources to advance achievement of their goal to increase the capacity of institutions within the Navajo Nation to build expertise and skills required to address health and environmental risks associated with uranium contamination in Navajo lands. The two-year degree program will significantly contribute to this goal.
Sincerely, David Alley, Chief Materials Safety and Tribal Liaison Branch Division of Material Safety, Security, States, and Tribal Program Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards David Alley Digitally signed by David Alley Date: 2020.09.22 11:47:13 -04'00'
2
SUBJECT:
THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL ACTIONS TO ADDRESS URANIUM CONTAMINATION IN THE NAVAJO NATION DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 2020.
DISTRIBUTION:
Public ADAMS Accession Number: ML20265A400
- via email OFFICE NMSS/MSST OGC NMSS/MSST NAME STalley RBaum DAlley DATE 09/21/2020 9/22/2020 09/22/2020 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY