Lab returns to Security Condition Three

Contact: Kevin Roark, knroark@lanl.gov, (505) 665-0582 (03-049)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 16, 2003 -- At the direction of the Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory has changed its Security Condition (SECON) to an enhanced SECON-3, consistent with the national threat level yellow. The Laboratory had been at a higher state of alert, SECON-2, since March 18.

While some checkpoints on Laboratory property will be removed under Enhanced SECON-3, vehicular controls along the Pajarito Road corridor will be retained, limiting the roadway to badge-holders only. One badge holder per vehicle will be required and that badge holder will be responsible for any other passengers in the vehicle.

To lessen the possibility of traffic tie-ups, Laboratory personnel and area motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes unless they have a specific need to enter the Pajarito Road corridor.

"Under this lower-level, but enhanced security condition, we're keeping the expanded distance between unchecked vehicular traffic along Pajarito Road and our mission-critical facilities located along the corridor," said acting Safeguards and Security Division leader Scott Gibbs.

The badge-holder only restriction along the Pajarito corridor will remain in effect until further notice.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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