Future site use and cleanup strategy alternatives: The Hanford approach

Nuclear weapons materials production is no longer the mission of the Hanford Site, a 560-square-mile area in southeastern Washington's Columbia Basin. Environmental remediation, including removal of radioactive and hazardous contaminants, waste management and disposal decommissioning of old facilities, and restoration of land and groundwater, has become the site's major mission. The mission is conducted within the framework of the Tri-Party Agreement between USDOE, USEPA, and the State of Washington. There is broad public interest in cleanup and the future of the Hanford Site. A facilitated process to develop alternative future use and cleanup scenarios is about to begin. The process will introduce some traditional tools of land use planning alongside environmental regulations and cleanup technologies in order to develop an integrated vision. Many interests, including local governments, Indian Tribes, state and federal agencies, business, agriculture, labor, environmental, and recreational groups will be involved. It is hoped a widely shared vision of the site's future will both guide and sustain support for cleanup and restoration