Edison Possibly Turning Hot Pond Over To Homeland Security

[Skulley]

Detroit Edison may be turning the Monroe Hot Pond area over to Homeland Security, much like Ferme II.  As you know there is an off-limits area of Ferme because the security of the plant is controlled by Homeland Security.  Apparently we will know by sometime in May whether or not the Monroe Edison Plant will become part of the Department of Homeland Security.  If Homeland Security takes over, you can "kiss" fishing the Monroe Hot Pond "goodbye".  I got a lot of great memories there with my kids and my fishing buddies.  I hate to see that opportunity go away, but in the name of keeping our country safe, it is the way it will have to be.  If I find out anything else about this I will post it here.


BD                              

[Cheetam]

Detroit Edison may be turning the Monroe Hot Pond area over to Homeland Security, much like Ferme II.  As you know there is an off-limits area of Ferme because the security of the plant is controlled by Homeland Security.  Apparently we will know by sometime in May whether or not the Monroe Edison Plant will become part of the Department of Homeland Security.  If Homeland Security takes over, you can "kiss" fishing the Monroe Hot Pond "goodbye".  I got a lot of great memories there with my kids and my fishing buddies.  I hate to see that opportunity go away, but in the name of keeping our country safe, it is the way it will have to be.  If I find out anything else about this I will post it here.


BD                              

Homeland Security has no involvement with the security at Fermi, Bill.  Security of the plant is handled by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

[Skulley]

The following is a quick explanation of how the NRC and DHS work together to protect power plants.  While I was not wrong about what I said Jeff, you were not entirely wrong either except for the part about Homeland Security and their involvement.  I have also had personal experience with it on Erie near Ferme.  The explanation below, I did a copy and past directly from the Congressional Research Service from their report on Nuclear Power Plant Security and Vulnerabilities.  It was written by Mark Holt who is the Congressional Specialist on Energy Policy and Anthony Andrews who is the Congressional Specialist on Energy and Defense Policy. 

Physical security at nuclear power plants involves the threat of radiological sabotage—a
deliberate act against a plant that could directly or indirectly endanger public health and safety
through exposure to radiation. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) establishes security
requirements at U.S. commercial nuclear power plants based on its assessment of plant
vulnerabilities to, and the consequences of, potential attacks. The stringency of NRC's security
requirements and its enforcement program have been a significant congressional issue, especially
since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

While NRC establishes security requirements within the boundaries of commercial nuclear sites,
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has broad responsibility for coordinating
government-wide efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, including attacks on nuclear
power plants. DHS works with NRC and other agencies to protect nuclear facilities and other
critical infrastructure.


This is just two paragraphs in a 14 page report to Congress that is posted on the web.  Here is the link:  http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL34331.pdf  This report says how it works.



BD                           

[Cheetam]

Bill, please point out where you weren't wrong.  a.  When exactly did Detroit Edison turn over Fermi II to Homeland Security?  b.  When did plant security become controlled by Homeland Security?  Answer a. = Never.  Answer b. = Never.  I appreciate you posting an excerpt of Mr. Holt's report.  I'm still not seeing where it says security of the plants is handled or "conrolled" by the DHS.  I do see where the "Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has broad responsibility for coordinating government-wide efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks, including attacks on nuclear power plants. DHS works with NRC and other agencies to protect nuclear facilities and other critical infrastructure."  Of course there is coordination among the agencies.  There has to be.  Now, I confirmed my short post with a Senior Security Officer on Fermi IIs security force prior to posting (it's nice to know people), so I wouldn't say any part of what I said was wrong.  Does the DHS coordinate with other agencies?  Yup.  Do they control or handle any of the security at the plants?  Nope.  Does NRC handle plant security.  Yup.  Sorry for being so long-winded  .

[fuzzygrub1611]

 I think what Bigdog is saying is that DHS guards area surrounding the power plant property. NRS secures the plant and its property.

[djkimmel]

Well... I know I'm not fishing near any nuclear plants anymore, but I always wanted to try the Hot Pond and would hate to see it put off limits. I hope there's some public input allowed.

[Skulley]

I think what Bigdog is saying is that DHS guards area surrounding the power plant property. NRS secures the plant and its property.

What he said.  Coordinated efforts.  I didn't know you wanted to be that specific Jeff.         I'll let you know who arrests me next time I go to the Hot Pond or when I fish around Ferme.        The way fuzzy put it, I would have to get by Homeland Security before the NRS could arrest me.  I think Homeland Security would take care of business and I would never see the NRS through coordinated efforts of course.   


BD                          

[Cheetam]

I think what Bigdog is saying is that DHS guards area surrounding the power plant property. NRS secures the plant and its property.

What he said.  Coordinated efforts.  I didn't know you wanted to be that specific Jeff.         I'll let you know who arrests me next time I go to the Hot Pond or when I fish around Ferme.        The way fuzzy put it, I would have to get by Homeland Security before the NRS could arrest me.  I think Homeland Security would take care of business and I would never see the NRS through coordinated efforts of course.   


BD                          

Last post...I promise!   You would be arrested by the Coast Guard on the water because they patrol the 1 mile area surrounding Fermi.  I wouldn't recommend doing that though  

[Skulley]

Not only the Coast Guard but the Border Patrol too. It probably depends on who is closer to the area when the spotter radios in. Now when I have fished some of the shoreline in the area, it has been Homeland Security that told me I was trespassing and allowed me to leave immediately.

The post was about the Hot Pond area and there is no NRC there now as it is a coal burning plant. If the Government decides to take over security of the plant, it will be Homeland Security along with combined efforts of local agencies that will secure it and probably not Detroit Edisons security team. That's what I have read. I am not an expert on this and don't claim to be one. And Jeff don't say it's your last post on the subject.  I would be interested in knowing where you got your information from and would you mind sharing that information with myself and the rest of the forum so that we all can be better educated on the subject of fishing around power plants and what to expect when we fish too close to them.


BD.                       

[Cheetam]

Not only the Coast Guard but the Border Patrol too. It probably depends on who is closer to the area when the spotter radios in. Now when I have fished some of the shoreline in the area, it has been Homeland Security that told me I was trespassing and allowed me to leave immediately.

The post was about the Hot Pond area and there is no NRC there now as it is a coal burning plant. If the Government decides to take over security of the plant, it will be Homeland Security along with combined efforts of local agencies that will secure it and probably not Detroit Edisons security team. That's what I have read. I am not an expert on this and don't claim to be one. And Jeff don't say it's your last post on the subject.  I would be interested in knowing where you got your information from and would you mind sharing that information with myself and the rest of the forum so that we all can be better educated on the subject of fishing around power plants and what to expect when we fish too close to them.


BD.                      

My brother has been on the security force at Fermi for somewhere near 10 years now.  And by security force, I don't mean checking trucks at the gates (sorry, I'm going to edit this...I'm sure he's probably worked the gates at some point, I'd hate to have to debate this...).  He's the dude with the Glock and the M-4 (or whatever version of it is out there now) patrolling not only the inside of the plant but the surrounding areas as well.  I trust his first-hand knowledge of the situation there, over anything I read on a fishing forum.  Where is your info coming from?  I'd be interested in hearing it as well.  As for me, I'd rather get the info straight from a trustworthy, knowledgeable source.

[fiker]

Several years ago I was on a field trip with several other Science teachers that went to the fermi plant. 
We had to submit our personal info about 4 months in advance so that they could do a background check on us.  Even then our bus was searched by two armed guards.  There was also a machine gun station outside the bus for back up. 
With all of this, we were not allowed to leave the bus anywhere near the actual reactor. 
We were however allowed to walk inside the cooling towers.  That was really neat.

Now who were the armed guards?  I don't know, I just know that they had some really big firearms!

[Skulley]

As you, I would and am going with your brother's first hand knowledge as he lives it every day. My source is the link I provided earlier as well as my Congressman who I am often in touch with concerning matters of my congressional district. I have also visited the federal governments website on the security of nuclear power plants. Although not everything is credible on the internet, some is and of course you have to weed through all the bs before you come across something that actually makes sense.  Also government published periodicals on the subject of nucleur plants and securing those plants.  I certainly wouldn't trust Wikepedia especially since anyone can make definitions and enter information there.  

If you would, could you ask your brother about the Monroe Coal Plant and what is going to happen there as far as security for that plant is concerned.  He probably knows more than he can tell us but please find out what you can.  Then again he may not know anything at all because it is a coal plant.  Thanks Jeff I appreciate your input on the subject.  I have been chased out of there enough over the last years by all of them at one time or another by 3 different law enforcement agencies as I previously mentioned.  Those inflatable boats they use are pretty fast.


BD.                      

[Cheetam]

As you, I would and am going with your brother's first hand knowledge as he lives it every day. My source is the link I provided earlier as well as my Congressman who I am often in touch with concerning matters of my congressional district. I have also visited the federal governments website on the security of nuclear power plants. Although not everything is credible on the internet, some is and of course you have to weed through all the bs before you come across something that actually makes sense.  Also government published periodicals on the subject of nucleur plants and securing those plants.  I certainly wouldn't trust Wikepedia especially since anyone can make definitions and enter information there.  

If you would, could you ask your brother about the Monroe Coal Plant and what is going to happen there as far as security for that plant is concerned.  He probably knows more than he can tell us but please find out what you can.  Then again he may not know anything at all because it is a coal plant.  Thanks Jeff I appreciate your input on the subject.  I have been chased out of there enough over the last years by all of them at one time or another by 3 different law enforcement agencies as I previously mentioned.  Those inflatable boats they use are pretty fast.


BD.                      





BD.                          

I think there have been rumors of the Hot Pond closing for a few years now.  Whether or not it will is anyone's guess.  That is basically the gist of the conversation I had with my brother.  It would be too bad, because it is a cool place to fish. 

[DOWD]

Will River Raisin be closed too? You can get very close to the plant on that side.

[djkimmel]

Good question. I hope this is just a rumor resurfacing. Wonder who would be the best to ask for real?

[Skulley]

I hope all this is nothing but a resurfacing rumor. I admit I have heard it over the years, however with the current state of the world, further security of all power plants no matter what kind they are will be imperative.


BD.