STGWG Fall Meeting Nov. 17-18, 2015

2/8/2016

Table of Contents

Contact

The State and Tribal Government Working Group 2015 Fall meeting was held jointly with the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Federal Facilities Task Force, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Communities Alliance, Environmental Council of the States, and National Association of Attorneys General. 

The meeting provided an opportunity for states, tribes and local governments affected by the ongoing cleanup of the nuclear weapons complex to discuss critical issues with each other and with DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) and other relevant federal agencies. In addition to hearing from DOE-EM leadership, topics for discussion included budget and planning, the role of risk in decision-making, waste management, technology development, radioactive waste transportation, awareness of the EM program and the status of the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) disposal facility.

Presentations are available on the National Governors Association Center's webpage.

Tuesday, Nov.17

Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Overview Training and Discussion

This training was intended and designed for STGWG members and DOE officials engaged in the NRDAR process.

STGWG Tribal Session with DOE Officials

STGWG tribal representatives and DOE officials discussed commitments, requests and other actionable items from the Tribal Leader Dialogue held on Sept. 23, 2015, the spring STGWG meeting in May 2015 and the DOE Tribal Work Group Summit in December 2015

Wednesday, Nov.18

Tribal Executive Session and Breakfast

Tribal Invocation

Welcome and Opening Comments

STGWG Tribal Issues Committee Co-Chairs

  • Gabe Bohnee, Nez Perce Tribe
  • Peter Chestnut, Pueblo de San Ildefonso

STGWG Tribal Session with DOE Officials

Welcome and Opening Comments

  • Brandt Petrasek, director, DOE-EM Tribal Affairs, STGWG Lead
  • Gabe Bohnee, Nez Perce Tribe, STGWG Tribal Issues co-chair

Discussion with DOE Officials

  • Brandt Petrasek, DOE-EM STGWG Lead, director fo EM Tribal Affairs
  • Mark Whitney, principal deputy assistant secretary for EM
  • Elizabeth Connell, senior adviser, Office of the Secretary
  • Mark Gilbertson, deputy assistant for site restoration for EM
  • Jack Surash, deputy assistant secretary for acquisition and project management
  • David Conrad, deputy director, Office of Indian Energy
  • Site Management and Staff (Richland, Los Alamos, West Valle, Idaho, Nevada, ETEC)

STGWG Closed Business Meeting

Opening Comments
  • Debbie Duren, program manager, Tennessee, natural resource trustee, STGWG State Co-Convener

Honoring the Memory of Willie Preacher followed by the Tribal Invocation

Introductions

Discussion Topics
  • Report out on the STGWG Tribal Session and EM: Tribal Leader Dialogue
  • Report out on the state intergovernmental group meetings
  • Updates on NRDAR activities including the Nov.17th training and ongoing conference calls
  • STGWG priorities, ongoing activities between meetings and the draft work plan
  • he Intergovernmental Groups Meeting including the Friday, Nov. 20th sessions on "Raising the Visibility of the EM Program" and "Next Steps"
  • STGWG and DOE Officials – Next Steps and Actionable Items
  • Planning for STGWG activities and review of STGWG draft work plan
  • National Governors Association Center, Intergovernmental Groups Meeting

Working Lunch

Welcome and Opening remarks 

  • Brandt Petrasek, DOE-EM STGWG Lead, Director of Tribal Affairs
  • Debbie Duren, STGWG State Co-Convener, Natural Resources Trustee Program Manager, Tennessee
  • STGWG Tribal Co-Convener
Opening Remarks by DOE-EM Leadership
  • Mark Whitney, Principal Deputy Assistnat Secretary for EM
  • Elizabeth Connell, Senior Advisor, Office of the Secretary

State and Tribal Roundtable-Issues Summarized for DOE Officials

Facilitator: STGWG Co-Convenor Debbie Duren

Remarks by DOE Officials

  • Mark Gilbertson, deputy assistant secretary for site restoration for EM
  • Jack Surash, deputy assistant secretary for acquisition and project management
  • Site Management and Staff

Closing Remarks

  • Mark Whitney, principal deputy assistant secretary for EM

STGWG and DOE Officials – Next Steps and Actionable Items

Planning for STGWG activities in-between meetings and review of STGWG draft work plan

​Planning for STGWG meeting in spring 2016 

  • Topics for in-depth discussions and sessions
  • Dates and location
  • DOE officials and others to invite

Closing Remarks