Hearing urged on Nuclear test center

"Adverse effects to many thousands, if not millions of Americans due to nuclear testing at the NTS are well known and documented," he said, referring to nuclear explosions in the past. "To dismiss this reality is offensive." The letter says that the group could accept the assurances about no bad impacts on human health off the site if it were assured nothing would go wrong. That is assuming "that there will be no accidents, sabotage, terrorism or other incidents during transportation or operation of the complex that would result in loss of radiological sources or dispersion of their contents."

The assessment is vague about the likelihood of accidents during transportation of radiological material. It says, "A number of administrative and engineering controls would be implemented to ensure that the probability of occurrence of these types of accidents and hazards was low." The report adds that hazards to workers and the public would be minimized by following established procedures and making sure that personnel are properly trained in dealing with potential dangers. "Cumulative impacts from operation of the facility would be minimal," it adds.

Erickson said that the proposal underlines the fact that activities are expanding at the Test Site. These include plans to study "bunker busters" and "mini-nuke" devices. The group's biggest worry, he said, is that the new work could contribute to an eventual decision to resume nuclear explosions there.

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