Thank you for taking the time to read some or all of this Rocky Flats Closure Legacy report.
The Rocky Flats Closure Project spanned over a decade and was unique in many ways.
Recognizing that uniqueness this report takes a unique approach to sharing the lessons learned
from the project, by considering not only the technical and scientific lessons, but also the
policy and programmatic issues. Communicating “lessons learned” and reaching the target
audience has always been difficult. This report was developed recognizing the challenge of
communicating lessons learned as discussed in DOE-STD-7501-99, The DOE Corporate Lessons Learned
Program. The overall Legacy Project seeks to address that challenge in several ways:
- First, the Rocky Flats Closure Legacy report is introduced by the “Rocky Flats – A Proud Legacy,
A New Beginning” brochure, an 18-page, full color summary of the project history. This summary
of the Rocky Flats Closure Legacy introduces themes that are explained in more detail by this
report, and the visually engaging format is intended to increase interest toward pursuing the
more detailed lessons learned. (see http://www.rfets.gov for info)
- Second, this report does not try to represent all viewpoints, or consensus positions reinforcing
current DOE policy. Rather it tries to fairly and accurately represent the conditions and
influences that existed during the 10-year span of the project from the viewpoint of the DOE/Rocky
Flats Managers and staff, and how the DOE and others reacted to them at the time.
- Third, it is brutally frank. The Rocky Flats Closure Project ended well, ahead of schedule,
under budget, and with no major injuries to workers. However, hundreds of events occurred along
the way, some we learned from at the time and others only became clear in hindsight. It is only
through a frank and open look at the project history and lessons, both good and bad, that we can
hope to learn and improve for the future.
As the responsible DOE- Rocky Flats Manager at final site closure, I have assembled this report from
over three years of diverse excerpts on lessons of various types. However, the report has been prepared
to chronicle the full history of the project, and as such capture events and lessons involving previous
Rocky Flats Managers and the myriad of other participants. Many people know some of the history and
lessons at Rocky Flats. From this comprehensive report both DOE employees and non-DOE may learn from
the complete story. I believe there are lessons for us all in the story of the Rocky Flats Closure.
Frazer R. Lockhart
Manager, Department of Energy
Rocky Flats Project Office
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