Office of Legacy Management Director Carmelo Melendez, along with site managers, visited three of LM’s Ohio sites to present appreciation letters to regulatory authorities and stakeholders.
December 5, 2022
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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.
Piqua Demolition Project Manager David Parker, orange vest, discusses the work at Piqua with LM Director Carmelo Melendez during a tour of the site.
Piqua Demolition Project Manager David Parker, orange vest, discusses the work at Piqua with LM Director Carmelo Melendez during a tour of the site.
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.
LM Director Carmelo Melendez, shown with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Remedial Project Manager Syed Quadri, highlighted the collaboration between the EPA and the DOE. “EPA provides the checks and balances that gives the public confidence DOE can carry out our long-term stewardship mission,” Melendez said.
From left: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) Site Coordinator Scott Glum, Ohio EPA Environmental Specialist Laura Hafer, Ohio EPA Federal Facilities Program Administrator Tom Schneider, and LM Director Carmelo Melendez.
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.
Office of Legacy Management Director Carmelo Melendez thanked Piqua, Ohio, City Manager L. Paul Oberdorfer for his partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and for the excellent working relationship with the city. Melendez provided a plaque and a letter of recognition expressing LM’s appreciation for the ability to maintain the Piqua Decommissioned Reactor Site in a way that is protective of the citizens and community of Piqua.
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.”
Office of Legacy Management Director Carmelo Melendez provided a plaque with a letter of recognition to city of Piqua officials from various departments who helped develop a path forward for beneficial reuse of the Piqua Decommissioned Reactor Site. Melendez said he was grateful for the close collaboration LM has maintained throughout the years with these individuals. From left: Jim Vetter (Commissioner), Taylor Bowsher, Ed Krieger, Brittany Peltier, Chris Schmiesing, Cindy Pearson (Mayor), Kevin Krejny, Paul Oberdorfer (City Manager), Bob Graeser, Kenton Kiser.
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).
Director Carmelo Melendez recognized officials from the City of Miamisburg/Mound Development Corporation for their professionalism and assistance in making Mound a prime example of a successful cleanup turned business park. From left: Chris Fine, Jennifer Johns, N.M. Winther, April Hauser, Michelle Collins, Carmelo Melendez, Al Leland, Keith Johnson.
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.
On day two of the tour, LM Director Carmelo Melendez traveled to the Mound Cold War Discovery Center (MCWDC) to meet with regulators for the Mound and Fernald sites, as well as local stakeholders. Pictured from left to right are Doug McClelland, Robert E. Ellefson, Douglas Gabriel, Carmelo Melendez, Robert C. Bowman, Jr., Mary Beth England.
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.
LM Director Carmelo Melendez presented a plaque and expressed his appreciation to Fernald stakeholders, including the Fernald Community Alliance (FCA). From left, Richard “Dick” Kasparek, Graham Mitchell, Edwa Yocum of the Fernald Community Alliance, and Carmelo Melendez.
“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.
LM Director Carmelo Melendez meets with Edwa Yocum and Lisa Crawford of Fernald Residents for Environmental Safety and Health (FRESH).
“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.”