DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY 

BOARD 

April 4, 1997 

There was no report for the week ending April 11, 1997, as we were both in Washington, D.C. meeting with the 

Board, staff, and other DNFSB Site Representatives. 

A. Technical Changes to Recommendation Implementation: This week, we obtained the following information 

regarding potential changes being considered for DOE Implementation Plans (IPs): 

1. Recom. 93-5, TWRS Characterization: On April 16, based on his prior oral communication with Chairman 

Conway, John Wagoner expressed his intent to submit a revision to the commitment for C-106 waste retrieval. 

We also understand DOE is negotiating a similar change to the Tri-Party Agreement. 

2. Recom. 94-1, Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF): On April 1, 1997, DOE-RL forwarded a proposed change to the 

94-1 IP commitments concerning spent fuel at Hanford for Secretarial transmittal to the Board. These changes 

reflect the same information DOE-RL provided to the Board in January regarding delays in the initiation and 

completion of SNF removal from the K Basins. 

3. Recom. 94-1, Plutonium Stabilization: In a letter dated April 11, 1997, DOE-RL reiterated its continuing 

concern that Babcock and Wilcox Hanford Co. (BWHC) management has not adequately addressed problems 

that have kept the Plutonium Finishing Plant in a fissile material handling curtailment since December 24, 1996. 

Several 94-1 milestones, including Pu solution stabilization, Pu polycube stabilization, and Pu metal and oxide 

repackaging remain at risk with lessening chances of on-time completion. 

B. Spent Nuclear Fuel Project: On April 4, 1997, DOE-RL gave its approval to start construction of the Canister 

Storage Building (CSB) superstructure. Due to work in progress on CSB support facilities and final preparation 

work for the superstructure, actual erection of structural steel will not start until the end of April. DOE is 

reaching final resolution of design and safety issues concerning the Cold Vacuum Drying (CVD) facility this 

week. DOE-RL expects to give its permission to start CVD construction by April 22. Duke Engineering 

Services Hanford (DESH) continues work at the K Basins to prepare for installation of the Fuel Retrieval 

System, the Integrated Water Treatment System and the Cask and Transportation System. 

C. Worker Integrity: On April 9, a PNNL Radiological Control Technician (RCT) knowingly disregarded a 

work permit requirement to wear neutron dosimetry. This is the third worker integrity violation on-site, that we 

know of, in seven months (see weekly report for January 31, 1997). We are trying to ascertain whether this 

reflects an actual increase of such problems or better reporting brought about by management efforts to improve 

accountability. 

D. External Contacts: 

1. Hanford Citizens Advisory Board (HAB): Mr. Gubanc has been invited to address the HAB on May 2 on 

the mission, roles and issues of the DNFSB. 

2. Tri-City Herald: The lead reporter on Hanford issues for the local newspaper has expressed an interest in 

TO: G. W. Cunningham, Technical Director 

FROM: P.F. Gubanc & D.G. Ogg, Hanford Site Representatives 

SUBJECT: Activity Report for Week Ending April 18, 1997
learning more about the DNFSB. We have provided him publicly available documentation relating to the 

Board's charter, membership, site weekly reports, Recommendation 93-5, and Hanford construction and 

configuration management. We anticipate that he will be contacting Chairman Conway in the near future to 

obtain Board perspectives on a variety of issues. 

cc: 

Board Members