December 12, 2001

Mr. Richard Meserve, Chairman
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
U.S. N.R.C. Office of Public Affairs
Mail Stop 0-2A13
Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Meserve,

The number one priority of the Nyack School District is the safety and security of its students and staff. In light of the world-changing events of September 11, the list of hypothetical crises in our school emergency procedures handbook have become a list of grim possibilities. None looms more horrendous than an accident or terrorist attack at the nearby Indian Point nuclear facility.

Unfortunately, there are no emergency plans that the District and the Nyack school community believe are more unworkable than those for an Indian Point crisis. Governed by County, State and Federal directives and developed over ten years ago, the Rockland Plan, using the ten- mile radius guideline, has two of Nyack's elementary schools evacuated to a New Jersey location. The fate of the children at Nyack's other three schools remains undetermined until a crisis occurs and variables are analyzed. This is just one of the major concerns of our parents and the District as we now are on greater emergency alert.

In the past two months the District has had to constantly reassure its parents that the District has exact written safety emergency plans in place that will protect their children during school hours, and keep them informed in the best manner possible. We are at a loss when trying to defend the Indian Point evacuation plan.

We implore you to collaborate immediately on developing an updated, feasible plan that protects our children and satisfies our parents' need to know details about their childrens' security. In absence of such a plan, the Board must strongly advocate closing of the Indian Point Nuclear facility, opposition to its recertification, and its dismantling in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, at its January 8 public meeting, the Board will seriously consider approving a resolution that supports the immediate closing of the Indian Point Plant and its dismantling in an appropriate manner.

We realize the enormity of the effort we are requesting and offer our assistance in any segment of the planning process. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your timely response to this matter.

Sincerely,

 

Bryan Burrell Roberta R. Zampolin

Board President Superintendent of Schools

Don Hammond (Vice President) ________________________________

Pierre Davis (Secretary)_________________________________________

Claudette Clarke (Trustee)______________________________________

Vic Czajkowski (Trustee)________________________________________

Fletcher Johnson, M.D. (Trustee)________________________________

Michael Mark (Trustee)__________________________________________

Joseph Patalano (Student Representative)________________________

cc: Hon. Thomas Ridge, Homeland Security

Peter Eselgroth, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Joseph F. Picciano, Regional Emergency Management Office

Edward F. Jacoby, NYS Emergency Management Office

James Kallstrom, NYS Office of Public Security

Michael R. Kansler, Entergy Nuclear Northeast

Gorden Wren, Rockland Office of Emergency Services