Articles

Washington, D.C., Jun 14 - The House of Representatives today approved amendments authored by Congressman Doc Hastings to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park and to execute a land transfer for local economic development. Hastings’ amendments were added to the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.

The first amendment mirrors H.R. 1208, a bipartisan bill introduced by Hastings, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN) and Congressman Ben Lujan (NM) to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that will include facilities at Hanford, Washington; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

“Establishing Hanford’s B Reactor and these sites as a national historical park is the best way to preserve their history and ensure there is public access for decades to come. I’m pleased we were able to get this amendment approved and will continue to look for every opportunity to advocate for the historical park until it becomes law,” said Hastings.

Under the amendment the Department of the Interior has one year to establish the Manhattan Project National Historical Park and enter into an agreement with the Department of Energy governing the respective roles in administering the facilities, enhancing public access, management, interpretation and historic preservation.

Hastings’ second amendment directs the Department of Energy to transfer a 1,641 acre parcel of Hanford land no longer needed for cleanup activities to the local Community Reuse Organization (CRO) for economic development, the Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC). This land is designated for industrial use under the Department of Energy’s Hanford Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The CRO requested the land transfer from the Department of Energy over 2 years ago.

“As Hanford is cleaned up it should not remain in the hands of the federal government indefinitely,” said Hastings. “This proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, with efforts to prepare the Tri-Cities for life after cleanup and with shrinking the Hanford site. Helping build a strong and diverse economy is one of the most important things we can do to ensure a vibrant community for generations to come.”

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 authorizes funding for Department of Energy cleanup activities at Hanford and also includes a provision requiring the Department of Energy to develop a path forward for the Waste Treatment Plant no later than March 2014.

###