The Community Advisory Board (CAB) for Nevada Test Site Programs is a formal volunteer group of 

interested citizens and representatives who provide informed recommendations to the U.S. Department of 

Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Offi ce Environmental Management 

Program. The CAB also provides a mechanism for participation by the general public through an ongoing exchange of 

information between the community and the Nevada Site Offi ce Environmental Management Program. In fact, all CAB 

meetings are open to the public.

Origins and Membership

The CAB is one of the eight local advisory boards at DOE Environmental Management sites across the United States. 

These local boards were created in 1994 by the authority of the DOE National Site-Specifi c Advisory Board which is 

chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Although the CAB is operated in compliance with the Federal 

Advisory Committee Act and receives funding from DOE for administrative and technical support, the CAB is autonomous 

when providing advice and recommendations to DOE.

The CAB’s federal charter and standard operating procedures provide for a maximum 

of 20 members, each serving a two-year term with an option to renew for two more 

terms (six years total). These members bring a variety of perspectives to the CAB on 

issues of signifi cant concern. Members offer general public perspectives, scientifi c 

and technical expertise, as well as rural interests and environmental concerns.

In addition to the regular members, there are non-voting liaisons representing the DOE, Native Americans, National Park 

Service, State of Nevada, and affected Nevada counties.

To ensure all meetings accomplish the objectives set forth in the agendas, the CAB relies 

upon an experienced facilitator. The CAB also draws upon the expertise of a technical 

advisor from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Activities

I

n accordance with their federal charter, CAB activities and recommendations must 

focus solely on Environmental Management activities. As such, the CAB reviews 

the strategies and plans for the Environmental Management sub-projects which are 

Industrial Sites, Soils, the Underground Test Area (UGTA), Transuranic Waste, and LowLevel and Mixed Low-Level Waste. Areas of interest to CAB members include site-specifi c 

cleanup criteria and risk assessment, land use, priority setting, management effectiveness, 

cost versus benefi t analyses, and radioactive waste disposal activities and facilities. Topics 

previously reviewed by the CAB include: equity issues related to environmental restoration, 

The Community Advisory Board 

hosts a web site at www.ntscab.com

which provides detailed information 

on meeting agendas and minutes, 

committees, and recommendations.

Federal Advisory Committee Act: The Federal Advisory Committee Act became law in 1972 and provides standards and 

uniform procedures that govern the establishment, administration, operation, and duration of any federal advisory committee.

Full Board Meeting: A public meeting of the entire Community Advisory Board which is typically held on the second 

Wednesday of every other month, beginning in January.

Site-Specifi c Advisory Board: A federally-chartered advisory board comprised of eight local boards which were developed 

to involve stakeholders more directly in U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management cleanup decisions. Local 

advisory boards are established at Hanford (state of Washington), Idaho, Nevada, Northern New Mexico, Oak Ridge (Tennessee), 

Paducah (Kentucky), Portsmouth (Ohio), and Savannah River (Georgia).

Defi nitions

Nevada Test Site Community Advisory Board
For information on all Nevada Site Offi ce Environmental Management activities visit: 

www.nv.doe.gov/envmgt

waste management, and energy technologies funding; low-level radioactive waste management, acceptance, and transportation; 

and budget planning and prioritizing. Annually, the CAB identifi es specifi c objectives which are developed into work plans for 

review and approval by DOE.

Committees

To better manage CAB work plans, committees are formed 

to target issues and topics. Current committees consist 

of the Environmental Management Public Information 

Review Effort (EMPIRE), UGTA, Membership, Budget, and 

Transportation and Waste. These committees are chaired by 

CAB members, but the public may serve on the committees. 

Recommendations made by these committees are presented to 

the entire CAB for consideration and action at the full board 

meetings.

Actions

Recommendations presented during full board meetings 

are discussed and the CAB strives for approval via 

consensus. All recommendations approved by the CAB 

are submitted in writing to the DOE Nevada Site Offi ce and/or 

other affected DOE Environmental Management offi ces.

These recommendations and other feedback from the CAB may be initiated in a variety of ways. The DOE may request that 

the CAB review issues of concern or the CAB may independently initiate topics for review.

Public Involvement

The CAB researches and provides the public with fi rst-hand information on current issues and facilitates public involvement 

in the decision-making process. The CAB also functions as an educational and informational link to the community 

by providing the public an opportunity to ask questions or comment on issues. Members of the public are invited to 

participate in the bimonthly full board meetings and are encouraged to ask questions and provide comments.

Members of the public interested in joining the CAB should call 702-657-9088 or e-mail ntscab@nv.doe.gov. Membership 

information, applications, and other information (including DOE Site-Specifi c Advisory Boards) is also available on the CAB 

web site at www.ntscab.com.

Community Advisory Board members tour an Underground 

Test Area well drilling site on the Nevada Test Site.

For more information, please contact:

U.S. Department of Energy 

National Nuclear Security Administration

Nevada Site Offi ce

Offi ce of Public Affairs

P.O. Box 98518

Las Vegas, NV 89193-8518

(702) 295-3521

envmgt@nv.doe.gov

www.nv.doe.gov

Nevada Test Site Community Advisory Board

DOE/NV--1245 • January 2008