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Home arrow Working with Section 106 arrow ACHP Case Digest arrow Spring 2004 arrow Washington: Transfer of the Hanford Nuclear Site, Columbia River
Washington: Transfer of the Hanford Nuclear Site, Columbia River

Agencies: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The decommissioning of Washington State’s former nuclear facility known as Hanford has the potential to affect the historic properties that exist along the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River.

The U.S. Department of Energy proposes to transfer about 270 square miles of the now unused Hanford Site to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

But future access to the land—which will become a part of the Hanford Reach National Monument and managed as a National Wildlife Refuge—is uncertain. The area probably includes thousands of archeological and traditional cultural properties—many not yet inventoried.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation are concerned about the area’s future because they ascribe traditional and scientific values to some of the historic properties.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to transfer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approximately 270 square miles of land where the former Hanford nuclear site stands, near Washington State’s Tri-Cities area.

Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington

 

 

Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington (photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Energy)

 

 

The area, which will become part of the Hanford Reach National Monument and managed as a National Wildlife Refuge, potentially includes thousands of unidentified archeological and traditional cultural properties. It also includes much of the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River.

The land is unique because it is largely intact and unaffected by vandalism due to the area being off limits since it became a DOE facility. With the transfer, however, the accessibility of the area is uncertain.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, which ascribe traditional and scientific values to historic properties in this area, have objected to DOE’s transfer plan and requested that the ACHP become involved in the case.

As part of the Section 106 process, the ACHP notified the Secretaries of Energy and Interior in fall 2003 that it would participate in consultation on the project. DOE responded that the ACHP would be involved in the case as a consulting party.

In December 2003, DOE notified the Confederated Tribes that the proposed land transfer had no potential to affect historic properties and would do nothing further regarding historic properties within the transfer area. In January 2004, the ACHP consulted with DOE about its decision. DOE said that it intends to comply with Section 106, and will draft an agreement for the land transfer.


Staff contact: Alan Stanfill

Updated June 1, 2004

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