In November, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the infusion of $8 million of additional funds into the Lab's environmental restoration program for 2001 (see story above). While these funds will be applied throughout the cleanup program, first priority will go to groundwater projects.
The Community Advisory Council, a group of community representatives that advises Lab management on many issues, played a key advocacy role in obtaining this additional funding. Council members contacted many government officials to recommend this increase. Senator Charles Schumer also supported the increased funding and accompanied former Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson to the Laboratory when the increase was announced.
Design, sampling continue
The Department, in cooperation with environmental regulatory agencies, is working on assigning priorities to all planned groundwater treatment systems. Brookhaven has completed the design for a system to be located on Laboratory property at Middle Road. Construction began earlier this winter.
Design work has also begun on an additional system destined for the southwest corner of the site, with construction planned for 2001. This system is a priority because it will prevent low levels of contaminants from potentially migrating into the Carmans River. The Department modified the groundwater remedy it selected to include this system in direct response to comments received from the community.
In the spring of 2001, additional off-site groundwater sampling and characterization will begin. The results will be used to design the five off-site treatment systems that will be placed south of the Laboratory.
Brookhaven will send mailings and/or conduct door-to-door canvassing to keep area residents informed as work proceeds. In addition, regular updates will be provided online at www.bnl.gov/erd/.