NUSEL Update #6 - July 15, 2003

Dear NUSEL colleagues:

We released the final version of the NUSEL-Homestake Reference Design Project Book this afternoon. It is posted on the open section of our web site. Many of you were involved in this long process from the start -- the fall, 2001, Lead conferences in which the first white papers addressing underground room needs were written. Some portion of the Project Book will be submitted to the NSF as a stage-two proposal: I'm currently working with Dick Boyd to find out what FastLane will accept!

The NSF has asked Jordan Goodman, University of Maryland, to convene a community committee to consider NUSEL-Homestake issues. One aspect of this committee is sociological -- an effort to bring the community together around one table. Another is to consider Homestake engineering issues. Jordan has told us that, in view of the effort that has gone into our Reference Design Project Book, the committee will in effect review that document. It will be helpful to have outside engineers and scientists examining what we have proposed. The NUSEL Executive Committee has told Jordan we will support his efforts.

The IUPAP meeting "Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics" will be held in the US for the first time this fall, in Seattle September 5-9. I know many of you are planning to attend. We will hold a 2-hour collaboration meeting on September 4, 3:00-5:00pm, in the A wing of the Physics Building (the lecture hall wing). Most of the attendees will fly in on September 4: a morning flight from the east coast should arrive in time for the 3:00pm meeting. If we finish by 5:00pm, there will be time for dinner prior to the reception, which starts at 7:00pm. I hope you are able to attend.

For the first time in the past couple of years, I think there is nothing more we can do for Homestake. We need to wait for progress on the site discussions and for movement within the NSF.

Best regards,
Wick
for the Executive Committee