HAB celebrates 30 years of representing a diverse constituency

By Susan J. Coleman and Miya Burke

What a year 2023 was.

On Jan. 24, 1994, 30 years ago, the inaugural meeting of the Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) was held in Richland, Washington. There are 38 seats on the board today representing a diversity of constituencies from across the Pacific Northwest – tribal nations, local interests, environmental perspectives, business groups, public health representatives, state of Oregon officials, university professionals, public-at-large representatives, and the Hanford workforce. These HAB members meet throughout the year to learn about the challenges the Tri-Party Agencies currently face at the Hanford site, and provide informed advice to the three agencies on major policy issues related to cleanup.

In 2023, the HAB spent significant time reviewing and updating its foundational documents which had not been revised since 2008. The HAB’s operating ground rules were revised and submitted to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) headquarters for review. HAB members reviewed and revised the scope of its five committees to better align with the key requirements documents. The new committees met for the first time in October.

In the last year we welcomed 14 new members to the HAB and saw the departure of 19 members, which further impacts and exacerbates the loss of institutional knowledge that the group has been struggling with since DOE-EM implemented term limits for the HAB members.

In January 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new Region 10 regional administrator, Casey Sixkiller, formally introduced himself to HAB. Mr. Sixkiller shared his personal connection to the Hanford site and offered high-level comments about EPA, environmental justice, and EPA’s role in Hanford cleanup. We are very appreciative of him taking the time to meet with the board and provide remarks.

On April 19-20, 2023, the HAB held a regional meeting in Yakima, Washington – its first regional meeting since September 2018. The evening of April 19, board members were invited by the Yakama Nation to tour the Yakama Nation Cultural Center and museum followed by a dinner and special program. A heartfelt thank you to Laurene Contreras and Dawn Lustre of Yakama Nation for organizing this meaningful and unforgettable evening for board members.

The Hanford Advisory Board celebrated 30 years during its February meeting.

| Courtesy HAB

In July 2023, news reports of a spill of highly radioactive waste beneath 324 Building was both deeper and broader than previously understood. Due to the 324 Building's proximity to the Columbia River and the city of Richland, this discovery was of acute interest to board members. In August, the HAB received a briefing from John Eschenberg, president of Central Plateau Cleanup Company, who provided updates about the spill. DOE, EPA and the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) also provided their perspectives. The board expects to stay informed about this developing issue.

Both new and existing HAB members toured the Hanford site in October as part of the new member orientation and learned for themselves the current state of the work, a description of what the site used to look like, and preparation for future activities. There was also a one-day session for new HAB members to better understand their roles and responsibilities as members of the HAB, with words of welcome from Ike White, the senior advisor for the DOE Office of Environmental Management; Brian Vance, DOE-RL/ORP manager; David Bowen, Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program manager; and Craig Cameron, EPA remedial project manager.

The board participated in an interactive budget simulation in October. Chris Crowley from DOE headquarters guided the group through an activity that simulates how the DOE Environmental Management Budget is negotiated between the local site DOE managers, DOE headquarters, and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. We want to thank Chris for facilitating such an insightful and fun exercise.

Board advice

HAB members work diligently to understand Hanford issues and to craft advice that captures the essence of their values while honoring each other’s opinions.

Dedicated issue managers from each of the committees gather information, draft advice and shepherd that advice through the HAB consensus process. It truly is a remarkable process that is successful in so many ways: educating, understanding, listening, negotiating, and ultimately reaching agreement.

This process resulted in the HAB issuing one piece of advice on cleanup priorities for FY2025, drafting one piece related to Transuranic Waste Management, and commencing the discussions and information gathering on potential advice related to grouting some of the Hanford site low-activity tank waste and environmental justice. All 315 advice pieces are available at hanford.gov/page.cfm/hab/AdviceandResponses. We urge you to visit the website to learn more about advice and activities the HAB is engaged in.

Looking ahead

The coming year will be a busy one for the HAB. Major issues the board will consider include the Revision 9A of Ecology’s Hanford sitewide permit, the outcome of holistic negotiations between the agencies, the 2,000-gallon test bed initiative demonstration, the 100-K proposed plan, and updates on the path forward for the 324 Building.

The HAB also will track developments in the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste (DFLAW) program in preparation for hot commissioning that is expected in 2025. Working together with the Tri-Party Agreement (TPA) agencies, the HAB’s goals are to provide useful consensus policy advice that reflects the values of HAB members and their constituencies. In 2024, we will continue to follow and support Hanford cleanup progress.

We’re also celebrating a huge milestone this year – the 30th anniversary of the HAB.

If you or your organization are interested in the status of activities at the Hanford site, attend a public HAB meeting. Each full board meeting is available during both day and evening hours, and if you have something you would like to say, each meeting has time set aside for public comments.

If you or your organization feel strongly about the Hanford site cleanup and you want to be part of the process, then become a member of the HAB. Each year, there are positions available.

For information, contact: