The Vakalo collection consists of accumulated materials relating to her participation and interest in groups concerned with the issue of low-level radioactive waste disposal. The collection is most valuable for files of reports, memoranda, meeting minutes, and related material. The series in the collection are: Midwest Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waster Commission; Michigan Low-Level Radioactive Waste Authority; International Low-Level Radioactive Waste Research and Education Institute; and Topical Files.
Kathleen L. Vakalo received her BA in philosophy and MA in educational psychology both from the University of Michigan. Through study and organizational participation, Vakalo became knowledgeable on the issue of low-level radioactive waste control. In 1980, Congress had passed the Low Level Waste Policy Act that shifted responsibility for the management and disposal of low-level radioactive waste to the states. This act also encouraged states to form compacts to manage waste on a regional basis. In 1982, Michigan became the first state to pass Compact legislation in the Midwest. Subsequently six additional states signed on forming the Midwest Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact. The purpose of the Compact (in part) was to determine which of the seven states would be chosen as host state.
In 1984, Vakalo was selected as a citizen member of the Michigan Environmental Review Board Subcommittee on Low-level Radioactive Waste. Since 1982, she had worked as a volunteer researcher on low-level radioactive waste for the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) so when the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Public Health needed some member of the general public to serve on the subcommittee, PIRGIM recommended Vakalo. In addition, in 1986 she was appointed by the Speaker of the Michigan House to the Michigan Radioactive Waste Control Committee as a citizen member.
