 The Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board convened May 3-4 in Paducah, Kentucky. Participants took part in the meeting in person and virtually.
PADUCAH, Ky. – Members of eight local advisory boards across the cleanup complex gathered on May 3-4 for the biannual Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB) National Chairs meeting, where they discussed cleanup progress and accomplishments, Biden administration priorities, updates on EM’s budget, the status of the board’s latest recommendations and other topics.
EM leadership attended the two-day meeting in Paducah to provide program updates and hear directly from local advisory board members regarding EM activities. Participants attended the meeting in person and virtually. Some attendees toured EM’s Paducah Site.
“By continuing to strengthen our engagement with the EM SSAB, and with a diverse set of stakeholders, EM can build on our record of results, deliver for communities, and prepare for sustainable cleanup success,” EM Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Candice Robertson said.
The Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB) was created to involve stakeholders more directly in EM’s cleanup decisions, providing advice and recommendations on cleanup and environmental management activities. The local boards are the Hanford Advisory Board, Idaho Cleanup Project Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), Northern New Mexico CAB, Nevada SSAB, Oak Ridge SSAB, Savannah River Site CAB, Portsmouth SSAB and Paducah CAB. The boards are composed of representative members of local citizens, Native American tribes, state and local governments and community and public interest groups.
Kristen Ellis, EM’s acting director of regulatory, intergovernmental and stakeholder engagement, discussed the administration’s goals and highlighted EM’s efforts to build a skilled, diverse workforce of the future through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) initiatives such as EM’s Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP). She also discussed DOE’s recently published Equity Action Plan that outlines how to advance equity and remove barriers for members of underserved communities to access DOE programs, benefits and services.
The local EM SSAB members discussed their most recent recommendations and some potential topics for the future, as well as common challenges.
The next EM SSAB National Chairs meeting is planned for September 2022, hosted by the Northern New Mexico Citizens' Advisory Board in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
 The 2022 Cattaraugus County Envirothon champions hail from the Allegany-Limestone Central School District in New York state. Pictured, back row, from left, are Dan Waugaman, team advisor; Sughosh Kondur; Jesse Decker; and Megan Boberg with Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District; front row, from left, are Connor Ellison; Xavier Hilmey; and Andrew Opperman.
WEST VALLEY, N.Y. – The EM West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) cleanup contractor helped sponsor a recent outdoor competition that tests local high school students on their knowledge of the environment while challenging them to work together in teams.
An Allegany-Limestone Central School District team won the Cattaraugus County Envirothon after contending for the title with five other teams from five school districts. The victors advance to the New York State Envirothon, where they vie to become the state's representatives at the North American Envirothon.
Students at the Cattaraugus County Envirothon worked together to finish exams at various outdoor stations that addressed aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife and other topics. They identified species of trees and wildlife, answered questions about habitat and other aspects of the environment and gave presentations on this year’s special topic: developing a local comprehensive solid waste management program.
“Competitions like this help engage students’ interest in the environment and sciences,” EM WVDP Director Bryan Bower said. “It also encourages students to become more environmentally aware adults.”
 Team members from Olean High School gather around the aquatics station as they compete in the recent Cattaraugus County Envirothon.
The first Envirothon was held in 1979. It’s now the largest conservation education program in North America. The contest begins at the local level, with several schools from each county competing to move on to the statewide, and ultimately, continent-wide event.
The Cattaraugus County Envirothon is organized by the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District. WVDP is located in that county. The competition is supported by local environmental groups, civic organizations and businesses. More than 20 volunteers help carry out the event.
“We are glad to be a part of this environmental learning competition,” said John Rendall, president and general manager of CH2M HILL BWXT West Valley. “Friendly competition stimulates learning, which motivates students to become future stewards of our environment.”
-Contributor: Joseph Pillittere
 Hunters in the 17th Annual Wounded Warrior and Mobility Impaired Wild Turkey Hunt gather post-hunt. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
AIKEN, S.C. – The 17th Annual Wounded Warrior and Mobility Impaired Wild Turkey Hunt recently returned to Savannah River Site (SRS) after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Department of Energy is pleased to be able to hold these special events once again and glad to welcome back our Wounded Warriors and Mobility Impaired Hunters, some of whom would not have the opportunities to hunt that they have here at SRS,” said Tony Towns, the DOE-Savannah River program manager for natural resources.
Employees from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and SRS, and the event sponsor, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), were on hand for the return of the hunt. This year’s event included 15 participants selected by the federation. Hunters from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee submitted applications to participate in the hunt.
"NWTF is proud to partner with the Forest Service and the Savannah River Site to offer members of the Wheelin’ Sportsmen program an opportunity to join fellow hunters for a memorable day of encouragement, hunting and fellowship surrounding the wild turkey land,” said Outreach and Educational Programs Coordinator Teresa Carroll. “The hunt escorts and other volunteers set aside their time to make this hunt a safe and successful hunt for all involved, and we could not do it without them."
Hunters were paired with SRS badged employees familiar with the site’s hunting areas. This helped ensure the safety of hunt participants as well as those working onsite. A total of seven turkeys were harvested.
“Pulling back on the curtain and allowing the public to see and experience the successful land management practices employed on Savannah River Site is just one of the benefits this hunt provides,” USFS Wildlife Biologist Thomas Mimms said. “We want each and every participant to leave the Savannah River Site with newfound friendships and fond memories that will last a lifetime.”
To learn more about Wounded Warrior and Mobility Impaired Hunts sponsored by the NWTF, click here. To learn more about upcoming hunting and fishing tournaments at SRS sponsored by the USFS and DOE, click here.
-Contributor: Joe Orosz
 RICHLAND, Wash. – From “We Can Do It!” to “See America,” sign campaigns have a long history of effectively conveying information, themes and objectives to diverse audiences. Last month, EM and its contractors at the Hanford Site completed a “landmark” sign project designed to help site employees and visitors spot key projects and facilities. Signs like these at the Integrated Disposal Facility, left, and near the Tank-Side Cesium Removal System, right, explain what they do and how they fit into the Hanford mission to prepare to treat tank waste and reduce risk through cleanup.
|
