On October 19, 1992 DOE's Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM), signed a Framework for Formal Interactions between Nye County and the U.S. Department of Energy. This agreement outlines Nye County responsibilities related to its special status under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, and a related participation grant. The document assures Nye County issues of concern, and any possible disputes, will be resolved quickly and effectively.
The Framework for Formal Interactions states DOE's position that "engaging in the process of interactions with Nye County [is] consistent with and appropriate under the broad mandate of the NWPA, as amended, concerning program participation by affected units of local government." The Framework also notes that "Nye County's participation in these interactions is critical for the effective and efficient implementation of its program of work and related funding, as authorized under NWPA, as amended." Each party's role in relation to joint consultation activities is outlined within the document. In addition, DOE/OCRWM and Nye County agreed to "consult during development stages of upper level policy documents and formal notices that will communicate policy direction for the high-level waste program, including subsequent revisions to these documents, and formal notices." As co-signers of the Interaction protocol, DOE and Nye County also agreed to coordinate their respective socioeconomic data collections, assessment activities, and socioeconomic impact mitigation procedures, as appropriate.
