BATTLE MOUNTAIN - Rex Massey, who is with the Yucca Mountain Oversight Program for Lander County, presented the Annual Program Plan for oversight activities through Sept. 30, 2012, to commissioners at their Oct. 13 meeting.
The Annual Program Plan sets forth all repository-related activities to be undertaken by Lander County over the coming year. The program plan established six primary activities:
Activity 1: the program management and administration will include a repository program office operating in Battle Mountain, with a smaller office maintained in Austin.
The Battle Mountain office will be responsible for: maintenance of the geographic information systems and assistance with Yucca Mountain impact studies; coordinating Yucca Mountain public tours and speakers; maintaining and updating a public information Web site for Yucca Mountain; and coordinating various impact assessment efforts and reports - participating in study updates. The office will also provide general program administration, including financial management. There will be a part-time administrative assistant position in Austin performing similar tasks.
The county anticipates the acquisition of additional computer equipment and software, office furniture and telephones for Yucca Mountain program-related activities. The county's Yucca Mountain planning and management contractor will also participate in management and administrative functions for the oversight program.
Activity 2: the program oversight activities: the primary function of oversight activities is to attend program-related meetings, conferences and workshops, review program activities and other related information, and provide periodic reports to the Board of County Commissioners, county staff, elected officials, and the planning and management consultant, will provide oversight functions.
Activity 3: public information: the public information function provides current information on repository-related events through the publication of periodic newsletters, Yucca Mountain repository-related tours, press release and coordination with community groups and Lander County residents. A public information library is available in Battle Mountain at the administrative offices and in Austin at the courthouse.
Activity 4: impact assessment activities: county staff and the planning and management contractor will be responsible for Yucca Mountain impact assessment activities. Lander County will continue to maintain its Yucca Mountain GIS capabilities for use in impact assessment activities, public information and NRC licensing proceedings to support the four-county admitted contentions.
Transportation activities will include that technical assistance will be retained by Lander County and transportation work done under impact assessment will support licensing activities. Additionally, Lander County will review the current status of its emergency medical services, fire department and hazardous materials response capabilities.
A community survey: in 2003, Lander County prepared a survey of local residents in order to gain insights about the opinions and beliefs held by Lander County residents with respect to the repository program.
This year, the county will resurvey local residents and or businesses to obtain their views of potential impacts from Yucca Mountain activities. Lander County high school students will be responsible for conducting the survey and compiling the results.
This year, Lander County will prepare a comprehensive report on public opinions of the Yucca Mountain project.
Update an annual baseline report: Lander County updates its baseline report annually. The baseline report tracks changes in social, economic, demographic and environmental conditions in Lander County.
Comprehensive program review: Lander County will conduct a comprehensive program review which documents the county's involvement in all aspects of the Yucca Mountain Oversight Program.
The most important element will be the discussion of potential impacts and suggested mitigation requirements. As part of this effort, Lander County will build an extensive bibliography of studies and other supporting material. Examining and summarizing key studies and findings will be part of the review.
The review will also include a discussion of lessons learned from licensing activity, institutional interactions and public relations and public information activities: support activities for licensing and contention filed by Lander County.
Activity 5: licensing and LSN-related activities: Lander County will use FY11 oversight funds for participation in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing proceedings. Lander County will continue to participate in cooperative funding agreements for legal representation in the proceedings. Lander County will participate in meetings, workshops and other activities directly related to the licensing process. Lander County will interact with other AULGs during the course of licensing-related activities undertaken by DOE.
Activity 6: project suspension activities: due to potential changes in the direction of the spent nuclear fuel waste disposal, Lander County may identify steps required to suspend certain oversight program activities.
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