Two tribes, two states and the federal government will be mediating a dispute over cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington.

The Yakama Nation of Washington filed a lawsuit against the Department of Energy seeking restoration of natural resources along the Columbia River. The nuclear reservation sits along the river and has polluted waters, causing depletion of salmon run, the tribe says.

A court has ordered mediation between the tribe and DOE. Talks will now include the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho and the states of Washington and Oregon.

Hanford was part of Yakama Nation territory until it was ceded by a late 1800s treaty. Several tribes in the Pacific Northwest used the site for gathering and other purposes.

Up until the 1930s, when the site was converted to the nuclear reservation, the Wanapum Band, which is not federally recognized, lived on the land.

Get the Story:
States, Nez Perce seek to join Hanford mediation talks (AP 5/13)
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Relevant Links:
Indian Nations Program, Hanford Site - http://www.hanford.gov/doe/inp/index.htm
Cultural and Historic Resource Program, Hanford Site - http://www.hanford.gov/doe/culres/native.html

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