Public invited to speak up about Nevada Test Site

The Department of Energy is inviting the public to help direct the future of the Nevada Test Site.

From 1951 until 1992, the Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, was the experimental ground for developing U.S. nuclear warheads. The United States quit nuclear testing in 1992.

Since then the Test Site has turned to restoring the Great Basin environment, developing technology and managing low-level radioactive wastes at the site, DOE spokeswoman Nancy Harkess said.

To develop the 2001 budget, the DOE is opening the Great Basin Room to the public at the Nevada Operations Office, 232 Energy Way, North Las Vegas, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

People will have a chance to hear the DOE's experts talk about plans to continue environmental restoration. Then they can participate in listing priority activities.

After the public open house, the public is invited to a meeting of the Community Advisory Board, a group of citizens who provide DOE informed recommendations on policy, technical issues and decisions on environmental work at the Test Site.

"Individuals can make a major difference in helping DOE set priorities," said Cynthia Ortiz, the advisory board's budget subcommittee chairwoman. "We hope to see as many people as possible."

Public comments played a central role in the DOE receiving an extra $6 million in the 1999 budget for six extra wells to look for ground water contamination off the northwest corner of the Test Site.

Public concern also played a role in an agreement between the DOE and the state of Nevada regarding how low-level nuclear waste is verified. After four containers filled with contaminated sludge from Fernald, Ohio, leaked on the way the Test Site, public comments resulted in changes to the shipping program.

The DOE also reassessed the routes its shippers used to haul low-level nuclear waste to the Test Site, in an effort to avoid the heart of Las Vegas. Alternative routes are under study through Caliente and California.

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