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Plans for Massive Blast in Nev. Draw Fire
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY
Associated Press Writer
http://www.dailypress.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top15mar31,0,3280451.story?coll=sns-newsnation-headlines
March 31, 2006, 6:04 AM EST
LAS VEGAS -- Plans for a Pentagon-led experiment that involves detonating
700 tons of explosives in the desert drew criticism from state leaders and a
disarmament activist.
The explosion scheduled for June 2 at the Nevada Test Site is part of an
effort to design a weapon that can penetrate solid rock formations in which
a country might store nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.
"I am concerned that tests of this magnitude have been planned without
providing Nevadans with any information about the possible impact on their
health or safety," said Demcratic Sen. Minority Leader Harry Reid in a
statement Thursday.
Nevada Test Site spokesman Darwin Morgan said the test will be conducted
about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, near the center of the former nuclear
testing site.
The test, named "Divine Strake," will involve nearly 40 times the amount of
commercial ammonium nitrate and fuel oil explosive set off in the largest
open-air, non-nuclear blast at the site to date. In 2002, 18 tons of
explosives were set off at the Nevada Test Site.
"This is nothing that's out of the bounds for us. That's what our expertise
is in," he said.
Morgan said the site obtained the required state approvals and air quality
permits in January. Officials from the National Nuclear Security
Administration, which operates the site, alerted the state's congressional
delegation and state government in December.
The Nevada Department of Administration responded with a letter stating:
"Your proposal is not in conflict with state plans, goals or objectives."
No elected officials responded to the notice until Thursday, Morgan said.
The test site is not required to seek public comment, he said.
"Given the level of contamination in areas where nuclear tests were
conducted, I have real concerns about the dust and other pollutants that
will be released into the air as a result of this explosion," said U.S. Rep.
Shelley Berkley.
Disarmament activist Pete Litster said tests at the site violate
international law. Litster, executive director of the Shundahai Network,
said the site belongs to the Western Shoshone Indian tribe.
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