FUTURE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
ER and EM face a formidable challenge in structuring and managing the EMSP to attract the best researchers and research ideas and to capitalize on the existing research infrastructure of the nation. This initial assessment of the EMSP has identified several major issues relevant to this challenge that will require the future attention of the committee. To examine these issues further, two panels of the committee will be established: the Panel on Science will focus on the science needs of the program, and the Panel on Management will evaluate the management structure and process.
The Panel on Science will obtain information on EM research needs and the basic research activities of other DOE programs and federal agencies in order to produce a report that addresses the following questions:
-
How can science needs most effectively feed into the development of the EMSP research agenda?
-
How can the program be structured to take advantage of research efforts and capabilities in other relevant DOE programs and federal agencies?
-
How can the program be structured to broaden the community of researchers that can be called upon to address environmental problems?
-
What areas of basic research are likely to provide the best payoffs for EM cleanup efforts over the next few decades?
-
What additional areas of research should be included in future program notices as program evolves?
The Panel on Management will examine research program management and assessment in government and industry in order to produce a report that addresses the following questions:
-
How can DOE evaluate the quality of the basic research it supports and the impact of this research on its cleanup mission?
-
How can DOE identify changing needs for basic research as the program evolves?
-
How should the program be structured and operated to assist the DOE in overall reduction of cleanup costs, risks, waste generation, and time requirements?