Richard L. Miller, an author who has written extensively about nuclear bomb detonations at the Test Site, says Divine Strake could kick up radiation that is more dangerous than claimed. The reason is that radioactive particles in the dust might become airborne and then inhaled.

"The Strake shot will result in both external and internal doses," said Miller, author of "Under the Cloud," a 1985 book about nuclear testing.

In an e-mail to the paper, Miller said he doubts the Divine Strake cloud will disperse evenly.

The draft environmental assessment says the explosion would be carried out in Area 16, near the center of the Test Site.

Man-made radioactivity is present in the vicinity of a "muckpile" about a mile from the Divine Strake site, says the report. "The distance of the muckpile from the site of the experiment makes it extremely unlikely that any man-made radioactivity from the U16a muckpile would be lofted into the atmosphere as a result of the detonation."

The report says the site of the explosion "has been excavated to prepare for emplacement of the explosives for the experiment." The test would be carried out in what the assessment calls "virgin rock" not exposed to fallout.

Congress

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, said he asked the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Department of Energy to alter the format of the information meetings they have scheduled in Utah and Nevada so public comments would be accepted. A press release adds, "but his request was declined."

"Sen. (Orrin) Hatch and I initially understood that Utahns would have a chance to present their views," he added. "I share Utahns' skepticism when the government tells us simply 'trust us."'

Hatch, R-Utah, spoke on the Doug Wright show on KSL radio Monday. He said he is very concerned and lauded Huntsman for letting Utahns comment on the record.

According to Hatch, federal officials originally said Divine Strake would be a long way from previous nuclear test locations but now they admit it would be a little over a mile.

The Idaho congressional delegation wrote Friday to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency requesting public information meetings in Boise "at the earliest possible time."

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com