Background & History

TRMTC Background

The Tribal Radioactive Materials Transportation Committee (TRMTC), formerly known as the Tribal Caucus, consists of members of 21 Native American tribes that meet semi-annually to learn about and prepare for shipments of radioactive materials through tribal lands and discuss topics relevant to the National Transportation Stakeholders Forum (NTSF). The NTSF is the mechanism through which the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) communicates at a national level with tribes and states about shipments of radioactive waste and materials. 

National Transportation Stakeholders Forum History

NTSF brings together representatives of states, tribes, DOE, other federal agencies, and various industry participants to share information related to DOE's shipments of radioactive materials and radioactive waste. Prior to 2009, DOE's national outreach to transportation stakeholders took place through the Transportation External Coordination Working Group, or TEC/WG. When DOE disbanded TEC/WG in early 2009, DOE's Office of Environmental Management organized the NTSF to preserve the department's national outreach activities related to the department's shipments.

The NTSF held its first meeting in Chicago, IL in May 2010. Over 170 people participated in the meeting, demonstrating the strong desire of states and tribes to remain engaged in transportation planning and information sharing. The NTSF holds an annual in-person meeting as well as webinars and conference calls of ad hoc working groups throughout the year. A Planning Committee directs the activities of the NTSF and consists of representatives from several federal agencies, state regional organizations, and TRMTC. NTSF meetings focus specifically on discussing packaging and transportation, emergency management, security, inspection and enforcement, and radiation protection. 

For additional information on NTSF, visit the NTSF website.