U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF SAFEGUARDS AND SECURITY EFFORTS IN SUPPORT OF FISSILE MATERIAL ASSURANCE

Fissile material assurance is important for allowing the Department to draw positive conclusions regarding the status of nuclear material inventories and the effectiveness of security systems in place to protect these materials. Recent national-level initiatives for which the Department of Energy (DOE) has a large role have focussed increased significance on fissile material assurance. These include expanded international monitoring and inspection of excess U.S. fissile material that has been withdrawn born our nuclear stockpile through broader implementation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, other bilateral activities in support of transparency and irreversibility, Openness initiatives, transitioning nuclear facilities horn a defense to environmental management role, declassification efforts, and identi&ing and preparing materials for long-term storage and disposition. Over the past year, several reports have been published identi&ing site deficiencies which include the controls and accountability on special nuclear material. In response to these issues, the Otlice of Safeguards and Security (0SS) has established the Fissile Material Assurance Working Group. This Working Group is comprised of Headquarters, site, and laboratory personnel throughout the Department. It provides a mechanism which enables the Department to remain responsive to fissile material assurance issues in order to meet these initiatives. This paper will provide a brief background of events leading up to”the establishment of the Fissile Material Puwurance Working Group; efforts of the working group to date, and longtenn fiture initiatives.