Hanford Leaders Engage Public to Shape Future Cleanup

RICHLAND, Wash. – As part of a continuing commitment to public involvement, EM leaders at the Hanford Site are engaging the public to help shape cleanup priorities in the site’s 5-Year Plan.

“The Department prioritizes projects based on assessed risk, legal requirements, and public priority input,” EM Hanford Site Manager Brian Vance said. “Public input is vital to our prioritization process, reflecting the values of those living and working around the site, with vested interests in safe, effective, and timely cleanup progress. The goal of this approach is to engage more members of the public who are affected by our cleanup effort, and who are not currently participating in the process.”

Hanford focuses on safe cleanup every day by delivering risk reduction, conducting environmental remediation, and preparing for the start of treating tank waste. While the 5-Year Plan outlines the cleanup work to be initiated or completed during fiscal years 2022 to 2026, the focus of public input is fiscal years 2024-2026, the three fiscal years in the 5-Year Plan in which budgets have not yet been formulated or submitted.

The EM Richland Operations Office (RL) and Office of River Protection (ORP) have implemented a dedicated website as part of their public involvement strategy for the Hanford Site. The website includes the draft 5-Year Plan update, fact sheets relevant to the priorities defined in the update, and a survey for input.

Through this engagement, RL and ORP are focused on increasing awareness of Hanford cleanup priorities and gathering input on priorities that can influence the budget formulation process for fiscal years 2024-2026. The budget for fiscal year 2022 is already in the appropriations process, and the budget for fiscal year 2023 is already in the formulation process.

RL and ORP leaders briefed Tribal Nation staff on the draft 5-Year Plan on Oct. 19. The following day, they briefed members of the Hanford Advisory Board and greater public. The Oct. 20 briefing was recorded and posted to the 5-Year Plan engagement website. In addition to establishing a dedicated website and using social media platforms and mailing lists to solicit input, RL and ORP also worked with community leaders and stakeholder organizations to expand their reach to more people.

RL and ORP are soliciting public input through Nov. 22.