Hanford Land Transfer

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a significant
milestone in Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington.

While the Tri-Cities led the way in ending World War II and the cold
war and was very proud to do so, the Federal Government has a legal and
moral obligation to clean up the legacy nuclear waste at Hanford. This
week we celebrate a cleanup milestone and the transfer of more than
1,600 acres of land back to these communities.

This transfer represents the culmination of years of local efforts as
well as bipartisan, bicameral cooperation. I commend the work of Doc
Hastings and Senators Murray and Cantwell that laid the groundwork for
this achievement.

As Hanford's cleanup mission is completed, this unneeded Federal land
should continue to be returned to the local community for the goals of
conservation, preservation, public access, and economic development to
be achieved.

This long anticipated land transfer will be used for industrial and
energy production and creates jobs and boosts economic development in
the mid-Columbia region. This week's transfer is an exciting step for
the post-Hanford future. I will continue to work with all parties to
have more land returned to the community.

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