My perceptions of both Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Tours and CAB meetings revolve around four topics or perspectives. With respect to the numerous tours of facilities and areas of the vast INL site, I am
Idaho Cleanup Project Citizens Advisory Board
October 11, 2023
minute read time
ICP CAB members, support staff and DOE employees gathered for the annual tour of the Idaho National Laboratory site in April, 2023.
My perceptions of both Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Tours and CAB meetings revolve around four topics or perspectives. With respect to the numerous tours of facilities and areas of the vast INL site, I am always impressed with the depth of the technical challenges that have been met by INL workers. Currently, the Integrated Waste Treatment Unit is up and running to process sodium bearing waste at very impressive rates. Prior to that operation getting to full speed, all the wet stored nuclear material was moved to dry storage which is safer and more cost-effective. Technical achievements continue to amaze. But INL is a technical place and high-grade technical achievements are expected. Though less expected, other aspects of CAB tours and meetings are of equal note.
On most every tour I have been on anywhere on INL, sightings of various wildlife, or the prospect of sightings of various wildlife species on the Site, make the travel time more interesting. Without fail, there are always various bird species and often there are raptors soaring over the desert in search of food. That is a delight.
Coupled with various wildlife sightings noted above is the reality of the vast areas of protected ecosystems and cultural sites across all portions of the Site. Without much fanfare from the Site, a wide variety of wildlife surveys have been conducted over years, documenting the presence of a myriad of mammal species, bird species, and fish species. INL has created lists of these faunal groups which are available to the public through the INL website. Vegetation types and other information is also provided. It is both intriguing and satisfying to me to know that this vast area of natural cold desert habitat is protected from development. As various missions on the Site are completed and buildings demolished and removed, more habitat will be available for various species use. The presence of this vast preserve, without the threat of disturbance by development is satisfying to me as a professional ecologist.
Lastly, but certainly not of less value, is the developing camaraderie apparent on CAB tours or CAB meetings, particularly during various informal meals or offline meetings. Recovery from the restrictions imparted by the SARS Covid19 pandemic has been slow and a bit painful with Zoom meetings taking the place of face-to-face sessions. This emerging tendency is very satisfying as we are able to meet with Department of Energy (DOE) personnel, support contractors and fellow CAB members. I like it.
John Sigler
Dr. Sigler retired in 2012 as senior environmental coordinator for the City of Pocatello, Idaho. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife/Fisheries Management and a Master of Science in Wildlife/Water Quality from Utah State University, and a Ph.D. in Fisheries Management/Biology from the University of Idaho. Dr. Sigler has co-authored various books, reports, and papers, including the 815-page illustrated book, Fishes of Idaho: A Natural History Survey, which was ranked as one of the three best Idaho books of 2018 by the Idaho Association of Libraries. He hopes to contribute to the management of natural resources in the western United States in an environmentally sensitive manner. Dr. Sigler remains active outdoors with walking, bike riding and yard work. He remains committed to the conservation organizations he has been a part of for over a decade. Dr. Sigler is interested in educational and environmental issues. He is a resident of Pocatello, Idaho.
