Home Table of Contents I. Background II. History of the Fernald Citizens Advisory Board III. How the FCAB Worked IV. Major Issues Addressed by the FCAB V. Timeline of Major FCAB Activities VI. Major FCAB Accomplishments VII. Lessons Learned from the FCAB Experience	IV. Major Issues Addressed by the FCAB 1. Future Use 2. Cleanup Levels 3. Waste Disposition 4. Remedy Selection 5. Transportation 6. Site Budget and Schedule 7. Long-Term Stewardship 8. Community-Based Stewardship 9. Historic Preservation In July 1995, In response to the four questions posed by DOE in 1993, the FCAB released its first major recommendations. These questions were: What is the preferred future of the Fernald site? What residual risk and remediation levels should remain following remediation? Where should the waste be disposed? What should be the priorities among remedial actions? These recommendations were accepted by DOE, USEPA, and OHIO EPA and largely shaped the total remediation of the site. A detailed description of these recommendations and the information and process used to arrive at them is provided in the July 1995 FCAB Report. Final Recommendations of the FCTF (1995) (File size: 3 MB) In the fall of 1995, the FCAB turned its attention to issues of implementing its many recommendations, specifically focusing on detailed remediation decisions and ensuring adequate budgeting for the Fernald site. Particular interest was paid to the technology selection for processing silos material and the transportation mode that would be used to move large volumes of waste pit material. In the later 1990s the FCAB’s attention turned to long-term stewardship and to creating a clear vision for the future. The FCAB recognized that site completion would require a complex set of controls and relationships to ensure that the site was safely and effectively maintained. The FCAB was adamant that the site be transformed from an environmental liability to a community asset, where education and a sense of the FEMPS history were paramount. The FCAB embarked on an aggressive program called “The Future of Fernald” to engage the entire community in important issues of future use and activities at the site. The result of this effort was a consensus vision for the future of the site and guidelines for the implementation of this vision. Future of Fernald Vision Brochure (2001) As site closure approached, the FCAB continued to focus on long-term stewardship to ensure that a clear legacy was established. A detailed study was conducted to understand long-term stewardship activities needed at the site and to define the role of the community in this future. A design charrette was conducted to design an on-site education center and a detailed report was created to outline this important work. Telling the Story of Fernald (2002) 1. Future Use The FCAB acknowledged that the site could not reasonably be returned to pristine conditions, and thus recommended a non-residential, non-agriculture future land use. The site was largely envisioned as being returned to a quasi-natural state, providing for educational and light recreational uses such as hiking, but not formal development or recreational activities. Beginning in 1999, the FCAB hosted a series of “Future of Fernald” public workshops that resulted in a consensus community vision for Fernald. This vision included the development of a regional education center, a strong focus on environmental and education values, and provision of property for the reinterment of Native American remains. Future of Fernald Workshop 2. Cleanup Levels The FCAB was instrumental in setting cleanup targets for the Fernald site. Focus was placed on protecting the Great Miami Aquifer and reaching safe concentrations of uranium for the desired future land use of unimproved open space. The Board recommended remediation levels that would protect human health and the environment while minimizing off-site excavation. 3. Waste Disposition The FCAB recognized that off-site disposal of all materials was not tenable. The volumes involved would create enormous truck traffic over tens of thousands of trips and results insignificant traffic risks. The FCAB was also concerned that the many states in the transportation corridors could close their borders to these shipments. Additionally, the FCAB felt it was important to take a balanced approach to disposal and not simply move its problems to another State. The final recommendation was to build an on-site disposal facility which would contain approximately 80% of the sites waste by volume, reserving off-site disposal for the materials which presented the highest hazard and could not be safely managed at the FEMP over the long-term, given the proximity of a sole-source drinking water aquifer. 4. Remedy Selection Through every stage of planning and implementation, the FCAB provided DOE with informed advice on how to achieve remediation goals at the Fernald site. The FCAB encouraged DOE to find effective, economically sensible technologies and strategies that were consistent with community values and could be carried out in a safe manner. Key recommendations included moving from vitrification to cementation of silos 1 and 2, and adding material to silo 3 to reduce possibility for escape should a disposal bag burst. Also critical was the FCABs strong promotion of Waste Control Specialists (WCS) in Texas as a disposal site for silos 1 and 2 materials after NTS would no longer accept this waste. 5. Transportation The Board produced several recommendations regarding the transportation of waste from the Fernald site to disposal facilities. Key issues included local road use by site traffic, closure of site access roads, and waste container selection. The FCAB sought to both minimize public risk and meet cleanup goals within budget constraints. Most important was several years of work by the FCAB to study and promote the use of rail to transport waste rather than trucks. This resulted in much safer and less expensive transportation of large volumes of waste pit and other material. 6. Site Budget and Schedule The FCAB’s recommendations on budget issues focused on lowering health risks and meeting cleanup goals in a safe and expeditious manner. Beginning with its 1995 recommendations, the Board encouraged DOE to accelerate cleanup at Fernald in order to reduce risk more quickly and to decrease the overall project cost. In 2001, the FCAB provided input on the rebaselining of the FEMP site budget, which allowed an acceleration of site closure to 2006. 7. Long-Term Stewardship The FCAB and its Stewardship Committee helped shape the post-remediation management of the FEMP site. Because land use at the FEMP site will remain restricted and the tons of waste in the on-site disposal facility will remain radioactive for thousands of years, effective long-term stewardship of the property is critical. The FCAB was an active participant in planning for long-term surveillance and maintenance of the site, as well as a key advocate for the ongoing role of the community in site management. 8. Community-Based Stewardship In 2002, the FCAB coined the term Community-Based Stewardship to describe post-remediation site management that acknowledges and facilitates the critical ongoing role of the community. Because community awareness is a key ingredient to Community-Based Stewardship, the FCAB pushed for reasonable public access to site information and the establishment of active outreach and education programs. 9. Historic Preservation The FCAB worked closely with other stakeholder groups, DOE, and its contractors to preserve the complete story of the Fernald site through preservation of site records, photographs, and artifacts. The goal was to help future generations and new residents of the area understand the history of the site, the role of Southwest Ohio in the global Cold War, environmental contamination and cleanup, and the power of grassroots movements to create positive change.

IV. Major Issues Addressed by the FCAB

V. Timeline of Major FCAB Activities

VI. Major FCAB Accomplishments

VII. Lessons Learned from the FCAB Experience

IV. Major Issues Addressed by the FCAB

1. Future Use
2. Cleanup Levels
3. Waste Disposition
4. Remedy Selection
5. Transportation
6. Site Budget and Schedule
7. Long-Term Stewardship
8. Community-Based Stewardship
9. Historic Preservation

In July 1995, In response to the four questions posed by DOE in 1993, the FCAB released its first major recommendations. These questions were:

What is the preferred future of the Fernald site?
What residual risk and remediation levels should remain following remediation?
Where should the waste be disposed?
What should be the priorities among remedial actions?

These recommendations were accepted by DOE, USEPA, and OHIO EPA and largely shaped the total remediation of the site. A detailed description of these recommendations and the information and process used to arrive at them is provided in the July 1995 FCAB Report.

Final Recommendations of the FCTF (1995) (File size: 3 MB)

In the fall of 1995, the FCAB turned its attention to issues of implementing its many recommendations, specifically focusing on detailed remediation decisions and ensuring adequate budgeting for the Fernald site. Particular interest was paid to the technology selection for processing silos material and the transportation mode that would be used to move large volumes of waste pit material.

In the later 1990s the FCAB’s attention turned to long-term stewardship and to creating a clear vision for the future. The FCAB recognized that site completion would require a complex set of controls and relationships to ensure that the site was safely and effectively maintained. The FCAB was adamant that the site be transformed from an environmental liability to a community asset, where education and a sense of the FEMPS history were paramount. The FCAB embarked on an aggressive program called “The Future of Fernald” to engage the entire community in important issues of future use and activities at the site. The result of this effort was a consensus vision for the future of the site and guidelines for the implementation of this vision.

Future of Fernald Vision Brochure (2001)

As site closure approached, the FCAB continued to focus on long-term stewardship to ensure that a clear legacy was established. A detailed study was conducted to understand long-term stewardship activities needed at the site and to define the role of the community in this future. A design charrette was conducted to design an on-site education center and a detailed report was created to outline this important work.

Telling the Story of Fernald (2002)

1. Future Use

The FCAB acknowledged that the site could not reasonably be returned to pristine conditions, and thus recommended a non-residential, non-agriculture future land use. The site was largely envisioned as being returned to a quasi-natural state, providing for educational and light recreational uses such as hiking, but not formal development or recreational activities. Beginning in 1999, the FCAB hosted a series of “Future of Fernald” public workshops that resulted in a consensus community vision for Fernald. This vision included the development of a regional education center, a strong focus on environmental and education values, and provision of property for the reinterment of Native American remains.

Future of Fernald Workshop

2. Cleanup Levels

The FCAB was instrumental in setting cleanup targets for the Fernald site. Focus was placed on protecting the Great Miami Aquifer and reaching safe concentrations of uranium for the desired future land use of unimproved open space. The Board recommended remediation levels that would protect human health and the environment while minimizing off-site excavation.

3. Waste Disposition

The FCAB recognized that off-site disposal of all materials was not tenable. The volumes involved would create enormous truck traffic over tens of thousands of trips and results insignificant traffic risks. The FCAB was also concerned that the many states in the transportation corridors could close their borders to these shipments. Additionally, the FCAB felt it was important to take a balanced approach to disposal and not simply move its problems to another State. The final recommendation was to build an on-site disposal facility which would contain approximately 80% of the sites waste by volume, reserving off-site disposal for the materials which presented the highest hazard and could not be safely managed at the FEMP over the long-term, given the proximity of a sole-source drinking water aquifer.

4. Remedy Selection

Through every stage of planning and implementation, the FCAB provided DOE with informed advice on how to achieve remediation goals at the Fernald site. The FCAB encouraged DOE to find effective, economically sensible technologies and strategies that were consistent with community values and could be carried out in a safe manner. Key recommendations included moving from vitrification to cementation of silos 1 and 2, and adding material to silo 3 to reduce possibility for escape should a disposal bag burst. Also critical was the FCABs strong promotion of Waste Control Specialists (WCS) in Texas as a disposal site for silos 1 and 2 materials after NTS would no longer accept this waste.

5. Transportation

The Board produced several recommendations regarding the transportation of waste from the Fernald site to disposal facilities. Key issues included local road use by site traffic, closure of site access roads, and waste container selection. The FCAB sought to both minimize public risk and meet cleanup goals within budget constraints. Most important was several years of work by the FCAB to study and promote the use of rail to transport waste rather than trucks. This resulted in much safer and less expensive transportation of large volumes of waste pit and other material.

6. Site Budget and Schedule

The FCAB’s recommendations on budget issues focused on lowering health risks and meeting cleanup goals in a safe and expeditious manner. Beginning with its 1995 recommendations, the Board encouraged DOE to accelerate cleanup at Fernald in order to reduce risk more quickly and to decrease the overall project cost. In 2001, the FCAB provided input on the rebaselining of the FEMP site budget, which allowed an acceleration of site closure to 2006.

7. Long-Term Stewardship

The FCAB and its Stewardship Committee helped shape the post-remediation management of the FEMP site. Because land use at the FEMP site will remain restricted and the tons of waste in the on-site disposal facility will remain radioactive for thousands of years, effective long-term stewardship of the property is critical. The FCAB was an active participant in planning for long-term surveillance and maintenance of the site, as well as a key advocate for the ongoing role of the community in site management.

8. Community-Based Stewardship

In 2002, the FCAB coined the term Community-Based Stewardship to describe post-remediation site management that acknowledges and facilitates the critical ongoing role of the community. Because community awareness is a key ingredient to Community-Based Stewardship, the FCAB pushed for reasonable public access to site information and the establishment of active outreach and education programs.

9. Historic Preservation

The FCAB worked closely with other stakeholder groups, DOE, and its contractors to preserve the complete story of the Fernald site through preservation of site records, photographs, and artifacts. The goal was to help future generations and new residents of the area understand the history of the site, the role of Southwest Ohio in the global Cold War, environmental contamination and cleanup, and the power of grassroots movements to create positive change.