Mescalero Vote on Temporary Rad Storage Facility

["John E. Aperans" <JAPERANS@wsmr-emh81.army.mil>]

My apologies in advance to anyone who thinks that they have just 
been spammed.

Six weeks ago, the Mescalero Apaches here in Southern New Mexico
defeated a proposed Temporary Storage Facility for spent nuclear
fuel rod assemblies.  It was considered a major setback by the
public utilities who had been working with the Mescaleros.

Last Thursday, 9 March 1995, another vote was taken.  This time,
the proposal passed with 60% of the tribal members voting in favor
of building the storage site at the Mescalero nation.  Tribal 
leaders attributed the turn-around to an education campaign to
enlighten the populace.  Rep Joe Skeen (R-NM), in whose district
the Mescalero nation is located, said it was not education but
arm twisting that turned things around.

There are still hurdles.  Licenses from the NRC stilll need to be
obtained.  (An interesting aside.  The Las Cruces Sun-News quoted
an environmental spokesman as saying that since the Mescalero storage
facility was a private venture, they would not be able to get NRC
approval!?)

Another hurdle is the state and national legislatures.  The state
is considering measures that would make it almost impossible to
transport any nuclear waste materials on New Mexico roadways.

Still, even with smooth sailing through the administrative
labyrinth, it is expected that they will not be able to accept
any fuel assemblies for at least seven years.  

Standard Disclaimer:  These are my opinions alone, and do not reflect
the official views of the US Army or the US Government.

     ***************************************************
     * JOHN E. APERANS, RRPT                           *
     *  Directorate for Applied Technology, Test and   *
     *                     Simulation (DATTS)          *
     *  US Army White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002    *
     *  ATTN: Health Physics                           *
     * FAX: (505) 678-7410  VOICE: (505) 678-2064      *
     * e-mail: japerans@wsmr-emh81.army.mil            *
     ***************************************************
     The chicken HAD to come first.  An egg would have been
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