SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHJM 4034

                    As of February 20, 1996

Brief Description:  Requesting a change of boundaries at Hanford.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Mulliken, Chandler, Koster, Cairnes, Beeksma, Thompson, Buck, Elliot, Pelesky, McMahan, Schoesler, Honeyford, Goldsmith, Delvin, Hargrove, D. Schmidt, McMorris, D. Sommers, Mastin, Crouse, Skinner, Hankins and Silver).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities:  2/21/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS & UTILITIES

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786-7445)

Background:  Land acquisition by the federal government for the Hanford Reservation was authorized in February 1943.  The Wahluke Slope Control Zone, an area north of the Columbia River, was established on November 15, 1943.

The federal Department of Energy is in the process of decommissioning its reactors at the Hanford Reservation.  As the department goes through this process, it will make decisions on how to remove portions of its lands from Department of Energy control.  The Wahluke Slope Control Zone is currently managed as a wildlife area.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages one portion of these lands, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the remainder of these lands.

Summary of Bill:  The memorial requests to the President, members of Congress and the Director of the Department of Energy that the area north of the Columbia River under the custody of the Department of Energy be returned to the counties of Grant, Franklin, and Adams to be used for agricultural, wildlife, and recreational purposes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.