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