LM and its support contractor led various presentations and panels at this year’s Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix, which highlighted LM’s long-term stewardship projects that centered on the symposia’s theme “Globally Focused, Innovative, Connected.”
April 21, 2022
minute read time
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) attended the Waste Management Symposia (WMS) in Phoenix last month. WMS took place March 6-10, providing industry delegates from more than 30 countries the opportunity to discuss ideas and technical solutions.
LM Public Participation Specialist Shawn Montgomery visits with another conference attendee at the Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix in March.
LM representatives led a variety of presentations and panels which highlighted LM’s long-term stewardship projects that centered on the symposia’s theme “Globally Focused, Innovative, Connected- WMS is Engaging the Future”.
The symposia featured more than 600 presentations and several focused, in-depth workshops, exhibits and events. LM presented topics related to Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), various LM sites and interpretive centers, and the LM Geospatial Enterprise System.
WMS is also dedicated to educating and giving opportunities to the future and current STEM workforce, celebrating its 4th annual STEM initiative. In coordination with WMS, LM assisted in the symposia’s STEM Zone, supporting a new backpack program, which donated backpacks loaded with STEM educational materials from conference exhibitors to Arizona schools with underrepresented STEM students. This not only provided STEM materials to classrooms, but also raised awareness of the importance of STEM education.
“Our STEM with LM mission is so important,” said Public Participation Specialist Shawn Montgomery. “Exciting the next generation of STEM professional was a hot topic at this year’s conference and we are ready to do our part,”.
Representatives from LM presented at a panel titled Successes and Challenges with U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Interpretive Centers. This panel focused on the importance of LM’s three interpretive centers: Atomic Legacy Cabin in Grand Junction, Colorado; Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center in St. Charles, Missouri; and Fernald Preserve Visitors Center near Hamilton, Ohio.
The panel included four speakers: Public Participation Specialist Shawn Montgomery, Fernald Preserve Interpretive Services Manager Penny Borgman, Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center Manager Steven Juhlin, and Atomic Legacy Cabin Lead Richie Ashcraft.
LM also submitted a paper alongside the panel discussion titled The Value of Interpretation for Preservation of Knowledge and Communication of Institutional Control.
The presentation included an overview of LM’s history, significant challenges and successes of each site, and the importance of interpretation of LM — a communication strategy used by LM to effectively engage with stakeholders at its various legacy sites.
Site challenges and successes were echoed in the panel co-chaired by LM Program Manager Debbie Barr on DOE’s Network of National Laboratories for Environmental Management and Stewardship (NNLEMS), which discussed the National Laboratory Network its role in solving issues, supporting DOE cleanup of legacy sites, and how the laboratories play a role in environmental policies and legacy management.
There were over 300 papers submitted to WMS, with 60 panels and 150 technical sessions safe management of radwaste and environmental cleanup. Some of the featured LM papers and panels were:
LM Program Analyst Padraic Benson’s paper about The U.S. Department of Energy Long Term Stewardship Working Group.
Legacy Management Strategic Partner (LMSP) Enterprise Geospatial Coordinator Matthew Cuneo co-authored A Geospatial Data Preservation Strategy at the DOE Office of Legacy Management.
LM Site Manager Angelita Denny led a panel on the Collaborative Perspectives on Erosion, Mexican Hat, Utah, Disposal Cell.
LM FUSRAP Site Manager Cliff Carpenter and Document Linda Sheader submitted a paper on Managing FUSRAP Ineligible Sites.
LM FUSRAP Site Manager Darina Castillo and FUSRAP Site Lead Carl Young presented Progress in Stewardship of the DOE Colonie, New York, Site. Castillo also submitted on Certification Summaries and Desktop Assessments Ensure Protection for FUSRAP Completed Sites, with assistance from Environmental and Spatial Data Management (ESDM) Lead Ellen Tomlinson and FUSRAP Site Lead Jill Bennett.
DOE Fellow and Graduate Researcher Olivia Bustillo participated in a panel on Graduating Students and New Engineers Wants and Needs- Are Companies Even Listening? This panel focused on new hires and graduating STEM students and a need for open communication with employers.
LM was recognized by WMS, gaining a Paper of Note award for UMTRCA Program Manager Mark Kautsky’s paper on Partnering with Stakeholders to Develop Actionable, Technically Based Risk Reduction Strategies for Former Uranium Sites.
LM also highlighted its many programs and projects in the symposia’s Exhibit Hall. The LM booth provided a central location to connect with stakeholders, share best practices and showcase the breadth of LM’s work.
Montgomery added, “Attending this year’s Waste Management Symposium in person was very special for all of us at LM. Having the opportunity to tell our Interpretive Center’s stories to our industry colleagues was the highlight of the conference.”