Have you seen Columbia Riverkeeper’s advocacy for clean up of the Hanford nuclear site in the news this summer?
by Simone Anter, Staff Attorney & Hanford Program Director
Have you seen Columbia Riverkeeper’s advocacy for clean up of the Hanford nuclear site in the news this summer? If not, check out what our Hanford team has been up to!
This June, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation’s (Yakama Nation) Environmental Restoration/Waste Management (ERWM) program and Columbia Riverkeeper hosted the fourth annual Hanford Journey. Near the banks and on the water of the Hanford Reach, the event brought together scientists, activists, artists, Tribal elected officials, elders, young people, birds, elk, and Spiel Yi (coyote in Sahaptin), to share stories and learn about the Hanford Nuclear Site.
High Country News’ Toastie Oaster was there, along with photographer Evan Benally, to cover the day. Check out Oaster’s incredible piece, Indigenous celebration of Hanford remembers the site before nuclear contamination.
Columbia Riverkeeper’s board president, Emily Washines, captured the heart of the Hanford Journey, ‘“Oftentimes, when we talk about the river, or protecting the river, we’re not around the river,” said Washines. Hanford Journey is a cultural event designed to get people out on the land, reminding them it’s more than just a radioactive wasteland.’ Washines explains that while Hanford may seem out of sight and out of mind to many, we are all connected by the Columbia River. Sharing in the stories from those who have lived here since time immemorial reminds us that a protective clean up of Hanford is one that is protective for generations to come, not just the next 100 years and our advocacy must reflect this reality.
Over the summer in a series of interviews on KBOO radio, Riverkeeper staff discussed the latest in clean up, public advocacy, comment periods, the problems with small modular nuclear reactors, and more. Listen to interviews with Program Coordinator Esteban Ortiz, Advocacy Director Dan Serres, Policy Director Kelly Campbell, and me, Hanford Program Director Simone Anter.
Ready for what’s next with Hanford cleanup? Check out the latest from Jeremiah Hayden in the new Street Roots piece, Feds possibly routing nuclear waste through Oregon.
Hanford’s future is on the line.
Learn more about Hanford’s history, how Hanford cleanup impacts our communities, and how you can get involved.