FOIA Filed for “Mission-Critical Activities” at SRS in Face of COVID-19 Threat

Why is Savannah River site management not telling the public what’s going on at SRS is response to the threat of the coronavirus?

As SRS management has failed to release a list of “mission-critical activities” under way in response to the COVID-19 virus, we have filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for them.

How long will it take DOE to inform the public about site activities that bear on public health and safety?

FOIA request by SRS Watch, March 31, 2020: FOIA to SRS re mission critical activities March 31 2020

SRS has sent an initial response to SRS Watch, acknowledging receipt of the FOIA request, April 8, 2020 – ” Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Savannah River Operations Office SRO-2020-00682-F” – Initial response essential operations SRO-2020-00682-F Clements first lettersigned April 7 2020

Message from SRS, after we pushed for the site to move to essential activities only (https://srswatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Savannah-River-Operations-Office-on-COVID-19-March-23-2020-and-earlier.pdf ):

From: amy.boyette@srs.gov <amy.boyette@srs.gov>
Sent: Mon, Mar 23, 2020 4:25 pm
Subject: DOE-SR Update: COVID-19

Savannah River Operations Office
Aiken, SC 29802

CONTACT:
Amy Boyette, Director
Office of External Affairs
803-952-6120
Amy.Boyette@srs.gov

The safety and health of the SRS workforce — federal and contractor employees — is the top priority of SRS leadership. This morning, SRS leadership was notified of its first positive COVID-19 test. As a result and in prudent response to the current situation regarding COVID-19 in the Central Savannah River Area, the Savannah River Site will be transitioning over the next few days to focus on minimum mission-critical activities, to include the maximum use of teleworking.SRS is choosing to take this action out of an abundance of caution.

During this period, activities that support our missions will be limited to those necessary to ensure the safety of the public, our workers, the environment, and critical national security missions. In conjunction with our colleagues across the Department of Energy complex, SRS continues to closely monitor developments associated with the coronavirus. SRS will continue to provide updates as circumstances develop.

The transition to minimum mission-critical activities is being specifically tailored to each facility at SRS and must be conducted in an efficient and safe manner. Affected contractor employees will receive additional guidance from their employers.

Employees are reminded to call 5-SITE or go to the SRS.GOV website and click on the SRS Status & Emergency Information button for updates.

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UPDATE – FOIA documents received in December 2020:

COVID final letter Dec 16 2020 signed FOIA 20-00168-DD Final Response Letter-2-1

COVID Doc 001 SRPMO-DTI-001 Rev 1, SRPMO Oversight and Execution-Telework Plan-1 rcvd Dec 16 2020

COVID Doc 002 COOP Plan_pgs 14-15_Redacted-1