Re: Oral Histories

[peter strauss <pstrauss@igc.apc.org>]

At least at military sites, the IRP process did make an effort to
interview base workers. The Initial Assessments that I have read
contained some information regarding previous practices, based on
interviews with base workers. However, I understand that these
documents were put together in only a few days, which would have allowed
only cursory interviews with site personal and former workers. Can
anyone from the military tell me about the procedures that were used and
how much time and money was spent tracking down former base workers, and
following up leads.

I am less familar with DOE procedures. However, in one case that I am
familar with (LLNL), an extensive report was compiled and was based in
part on extensive interviews with former workers.

Peter Strauss 

loc@icx.net wrote:
> 
> From: "Dr. Susan L. Gawarecki" <loc@icx.net>
> 
> When I worked as a hazardous waste consultant, one of the first formal
> steps in the site investigation process was to do a records review and
> interview present and past workers about waste disposal practices. I
> expect if you look back at the initial environmental work at many of
> these bases you will find that oral histories indeed have been done. It
> may be prudent to revisit the issue if new sites were added, if
> practices have recently been declassified, or if there were obvious
> deficiencies in the intial work.
> 
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> Oak Ridge Reservation Local Oversight Committee, Inc.
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