Yakama Nation to sue over failed waste cleanup

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2003

The Yakama Nation of Washington plans to sue the Department of Energy for cleanup efforts at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The tribe contends DOE has failed to protect the Columbia River from hazardous substances. The tribe says radioactive waste and other material have led to dwindling runs of salmon.

Hanford was part of Yakama Nation territory until it was ceded by a late 1800s treaty. Several tribes in the Pacific Northwest used the area 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:
Yakama Nation set to sue DOE (The Mid-Columbia Tri-City Herald 6/6)
Yakamas plan to sue Energy Dept. over pollution of Columbia River (AP 6/6)

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

Related Stories:
DOE agrees to halt nuclear waste shipments (03/06)
Wash. sues to stop nuclear waste shipments (3/5)
Wash. public hearing set on toxic waste (08/06)
Editorial: Tribes should win on waste suit (7/23)
Judge to rule on tribal waste suit (7/23)
Nuclear cleanup fund proposal doubted (7/12)
More nuclear cleanup funds promised (3/7)
Editorial: Don't cut cleanup funds (2/7)
Nuclear cleanup funds criticized (2/5)
Radiation exposure believed underestimated (1/25)
Editorial: Good riddance to reactor (12/21)
DOE urged against restarting reactor (10/10)
Nuclear reactor may be restarted (10/3)
Groups want to shut down Gorton project (9/28)
Nuclear cleanup funds requested by Bush (6/4)
DOE Budget: Uranium cleanup funds cut (4/24)
DOE budget: Pueblo cleanup, Indian funds cut (4/13)
Reversal of nuclear decision sought (1/19)
Nuclear test reactor will be closed (1/18)
Tribe seeks better nuclear cleanup (12/15)
Nuclear reactor won't be restarted (11/22)
DOE says nuclear cleanup ahead (11/16)
Richardson, Babbitt pledge support (11/14)
More waste cited at nuclear site (11/3)
Report: DOE wasting cleanup money (11/2)
DOE revises tribal policies (11/1)