The EM Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB) was created to involve stakeholders more directly in EM cleanup decisions. When stakeholders share their opinions by becoming involved in cleanup discussions, federal decision-making and cleanup activities are improved. Public input helps agencies to make decisions that are cost effective, community specific and environmentally sound, which leads to faster, safer cleanups.

In accordance with its charter, the EM SSAB exists to provide the EM senior management with information, advice and recommendations concerning issues affecting the EM program at various sites.  Specifically, at the request of the Assistant Secretary or the site managers, the board may provide advice and recommendations concerning the following EM site-specific issues: clean-up activities and environmental restoration; waste and nuclear materials management and disposition; excess facilities; future land use and long-term stewardship; risk assessment; and communications.

The EM SSAB’s activities are governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which was enacted to ensure that the general public has access to advisory board deliberations and recommendations.  While only one FACA-chartered EM SSAB exists, eight local boards have been organized under its umbrella charter.  They include the Hanford Advisory Board, Idaho Cleanup Project Citizens Advisory Board, Northern New Mexico Citizens’ Advisory Board, Nevada SSAB, Oak Ridge SSAB, Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board, Portsmouth SSAB and Paducah Citizens Advisory Board.

Advisory Board meetings serve as a two-way exchange between members of the public and DOE. They always include a public comment and question/answer period through which you can voice your issues or submit written questions. DOE responds to the comments and considers them during decision-making.

If you are interested in serving on a local board, please contact the office nearest you.

For a general overview of DOE’s Office of Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Boards please view this video.