OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

For Immediate Release Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416

May 11, 1995

Interior Secretary Commends National Academy of Sciences For Understanding Ward Valley Study (May 11, 1995)

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt today issued the following statement in conjunction with the release of the National Academy of Sciences report addressing concerns related to the proposed siting of a low-level nuclear waste facility in Ward Valley, California:

"First, I must express my gratitude to the National Academy of Sciences for undertaking this review of particular scientific and technical concerns related to the proposed low-level radioactive waste facility at Ward Valley. The Academy assembled a first-rate panel of scientists and engineers to sift through and carefully analyze the best available information, and to provide answers to important public health and safety concerns.

The thorough, independent review by the Academy will measurably aid my decision-making on the proposed land transfer for the Ward Valley site. It is my intention to carefully review the findings in this report before deciding upon further actions regarding the pending land transfer application.

I asked the Academy to prepare this report to gain answers to questions that had been raised about the Ward Valley site, and to provide an additional public airing of these questions. My concern that such questions had not been fully addressed caused me to halt a precipitous and unlawful transfer of this site to the State of California in my first days as Secretary of the Interior.

I have repeatedly said that my decision on the transfer of this site will be grounded in the law and sound science. I look forward to reviewing this report in detail, to determine whether scientific issues have now been adequately addressed with regard to the use of the Ward Valley site as a low-level radioactive waste facility."

U.S. Department of the Interior