Re: dose limits for members of the public (use of savings)

[Paul lavely <lavelyp@UCLINK4.BERKELEY.EDU>]

Title: Re: dose limits for members of the public (use of savi

> This raises an interesting option for many of us.
>
>  while we probably cannot influence where Federal agency money
>
> goes, or is diverted to or from, we can influence at a state and local
>
> level.  For example, the State of New Mexico funds (from the
>
> general revenue) a "DOE Oversight Group" in the Environment
>
> Department.   Is such oversight necessary?  (By the
>
> way, the group is not concerned with things like personnel actions or
>
> even occupational safety).  That is state money, and could better
>
> be spent on overseeing the cleanup of industrial superfund and similar
>
> sites, and that's how it would be spent if it were
>
> diverted.

>

> Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.

> ruthweiner@aol.com

The above does not appear to be correct. These are not state general revenue funds. The dollars that fund this program come from "a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Agreement-in-Principle between the State of New Mexico and the U.S. Department of Energy." This is from the NM state web site.

A review of their mission appears to be one that no one can see as a bad idea - especially the increasing of public knowledge. Not being in NM, I can not comment on implementation.

Paul Lavely <lavelyp@uclink4.berkeley.edu>

The below is from the NM state website. http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/DOE_Oversight/doetop.html

DOE Oversight Bureau
New Mexico Environment Department
2905 Rodeo Park Drive East
Bldg. 1
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
(505) 827-1536 (505) 428-2567 fax

The mission of the New Mexico Environment Department DOE Oversight Bureau is to assure that activities at DOE facilities are protective of the public health and safety and the environment. The Bureau's activities are funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Agreement-in-Principle between the State of New Mexico and the U.S. Department of Energy. One of the primary objectives of the agreement is the development and implementation of a program of independent monitoring and oversight.

The Oversight Program has four primary objectives:

*     To assess whether activities at Department of Energy facilities in New Mexico are protective of the public health and environment.
*     To provide input into the prioritization of cleanup and compliance activities at Department of Energy facilities.
*      To develop and implement a vigorous program of independent monitoring and oversight.
*   To increase public knowledge of environmental matters about the facilities, and coordinate with local and tribal governments.

 

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