At the end of November, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) Director Carmelo Melendez, along with site managers, toured three LM sites in the State of Ohio to thank overseers from regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
The two-day tour consisted of a visit to the Piqua Decommissioned Reactor Site in Piqua, Ohio; the Mound Site near Dayton, Ohio; and the Fernald Preserve near Hamilton, Ohio.
During the visits, Melendez presented regulators and stakeholders with plaques containing letters of appreciation for their support of LM’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
Melendez met with City of Piqua Manager L. Paul Oberdorfer and others, thanking the city for its partnership with DOE and committing to maintaining the safety of its citizens and community.
The letter also recognized staff of various city departments and organizations who helped develop a path forward for beneficial reuse of the site.
“This meeting was an opportunity to express appreciation and gratitude for the city’s support and partnership,” Melendez said. “I’m grateful for the close collaboration we have maintained throughout the years while DOE has managed the Piqua Decommissioned Reactor Site.”
On day two of the tour, Melendez and managers traveled to the Mound Cold War Discovery Center (MCWDC) to meet with regulators for the Mound and Fernald sites, as well as local stakeholders.
Honorees included the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and Fernald Preserve and Mound site Project Teams.
“EPA provides the checks and balances that gives the public confidence DOE can carry out our long-term stewardship mission,” Melendez said. “I appreciate the dedicated effort, time, and professionalism with which the EPA conducts their oversight of our Ohio sites, and I look forward to a continued positive relationship in the years to come.”
Melendez also recognized stakeholders of Mound, including the City of Miamisburg; Mound Development Corporation (MDC); and the Mound Science and Energy Museum Association (MSEMA).
The letters included a spotlight on MSEMA’s dedication to preserving the heritage of the Mound Laboratory and making information accessible to the public, and he highlighted the collaboration with the MCWDC, Dayton History and DOE.
Melendez praised the MDC, as well as the City of Miamisburg for its dedication in developing a business park to ensure the site remains an asset to the community and a hub for businesses.
“The Mound site is a collaborative model of successful environmental remediation efforts resulting in positive beneficial reuse, and the Department greatly appreciates your commitment to maintaining a working relationship,” Melendez said to both stakeholders.
After the meeting, Melendez and managers traveled the short distance to the Fernald Preserve, where they toured the site, and Melendez presented a plaque and expressed his appreciation to the Fernald stakeholders, including Fernald Residents for Environmental Safety and Health (FRESH) and the Fernald Community Alliance (FCA).
Melendez thanked the FCA for its valuable input into the planning and operation of the site and its connection to the community, adding that he was grateful for FCA’s mission to preserve the history of the Cold War, and that of the land, people, and culture for the benefit of present and future generations.
“We can’t satisfy our commitments to people in local communities and in local governments without continuous dialogue and without actively listening," Melendez said.
Melendez commended FRESH for its diligence in developing ongoing relationships with many stakeholder groups and for the years of work promoting environmental safety and health for the community surrounding the Fernald Preserve.
“I appreciate the ongoing efforts of the Fernald stakeholders, and I am sincerely grateful for our longstanding relationship.” Melendez said. “I look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come.”
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