Community Involvement
Environmental Information Center
In 1993, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) opened a public Environmental Information Center (EIC) to provide greater accessibility for residents interested in learning more about DOE's environmental management activities being conducted at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. A reading room is available for residents who wish to review material at the center, and copies of documents at the EIC can be reproduced free of charge for the public.
The EIC contains public copies of major documents categories (Administrative Records and Information Repository) as specified by current environmental regulations regarding federal facilities. These copies are available to the public so community members can be well informed and comment on actions being taken at the plant.
The Administrative Records consist of environmental restoration documents relied upon to make cleanup decisions, and therefore are subject to judicial review. These records include the following documents – project work plans, facility investigation reports, Corrective Measures Study Reports, Corrective Measures Implementation Reports, comments during Public Comment Periods, Validated Sampling Data, Preferred Plans/Decision Documents and Assessment Reports.
The Information Repository consists of additional documents that provide background information or reference materials on the plant's Environmental Management Program, but are not relied upon to make the cleanup decisions. In addition to general environmental documents in the Information Repository, other documents may include the following: fact sheets, reports on site activities, DOE plans and reports, regulations and guidelines, and news clips on the Plant Cleanup Program. The U.S. Department of Energy announced in May 2009 that the EIC was changing locations to better serve the general public. Moving just down the hallway to a larger office location within the Ohio State University Endeavor Center in Piketon, Ohio (located on State Route 32, two miles east of U.S. Route 23), the EIC is now located in Room 207 directly across from the elevator and stairway. Regular hours remain the same: Mondays and Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The EIC is closed on Fridays. After-hour appointments can be arranged by calling the EIC at 740-289-8898.
Portsmouth EM Site Specific Advisory Board (SSAB)
The SSAB provides independent advice and recommendations to DOE on cleanup activities at PORTS. The SSAB meets to discuss key issues on the cleanup program and provide input at key points in the decision making. The detailed purpose and work plan for the SSAB are produced separate from this CRP. Meetings are open to the public and advanced notice is given to area media outlets. A public comment period is routinely included on the board’s meeting agenda.
To provide the SSAB with relevant information and input regarding environmental response actions, DOE
- Regularly attends SSAB bi-monthly board meetings and disseminates information through DOE project updates and presentations targeted to specific issues or actions planned at PORTS;
- Attends, as appropriate, SSAB monthly committee meetings to provide technical information, either upon request by SSAB members or as determined by the response action cycle; and
- Responds to SSAB recommendations in writing to inform the SSAB whether the recommendation is accepted and to explain the DOE’s decision regarding the recommendation.
Public Communications
Public Meetings
Public meetings are held as appropriate to update the public on current activities and receive public input. These meetings will assist the public in obtaining timely information on the D&D Project and provide the community with an opportunity, through various formats, to ask questions. All public meetings are preceded by ample and adequate notification and held at a location convenient to the community. Notifications are provided through postcard mailings, announcements in the media, on the PPPO website, and in key community locations approximately two weeks prior to a meeting when feasible.
Public Fact Sheets
Brief informative fact sheet updates are prepared as appropriate to coincide with specific projects and public meetings and keep the community up-to-date on the status of the program. Most fact sheets include contact information and the web site address. Fact sheets may be provided at public meetings, on the web site, and through other public information sources.
Key Web Sites
The DOE Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office web site provides information for the public on the PORTS Environmental Management Program. Fact sheets, brochures, announcements, public meeting materials, and videos may be posted as they are available. Technical documents and other key reports may be linked from the site.
A listing of the DOE web sites and other informational web sites include:
- U.S. Department of Energy: www.energy.gov
- Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office: www.pppo.energy.gov
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.state.oh.us
- Portsmouth Site Specific Advisory Board: www.ports-ssab.org