Hanford Hearings

Columbia River

The U.S. Department of Energy is holding public hearings on land-use plans for the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River.

The proposal would create a national wildlife refuge from the old Hanford Nuclear Reservation, protecting the Wahluke Slope and 90,000 acres of shrub-steppe habitat.

Tri-Cities-area local governments have proposed an alternative plan that would open about 60,000 acres of the of the Wahluke Slope to agriculture.

Public hearings begin at 7 p.m. as follows:

RICHLAND: Tuesday, Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock Rd.

SPOKANE: June 3, Cavanaughs Ridpath Hotel, 515 W. Sprague Ave.

Both hearings are proceeded by an hour-long information meeting.