Nuclear Waste and Indian Country

Mr. Ian ZabarteMoapa Band of Paiutes

Department of Environmental Protection

Two Tracks

• Track one: Deep Geologic Disposal• Track two: Review of US nuclear policy

Yucca Mountain

Western Shoshone and Southern Paiute

Nuclear Weapons Legacy

Cumulative Fallout

Important Lifestyle Differences

Yucca Mountain – On Track

• US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)Atomic Safety Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP)Construction Authorization Board (CAB)

Intervener/Party Status

• 12 judges (3 judge panels)• 12 parties ( NV, Clark Co., Inyo, Nye, Lincoln,

Esmerelda, White Pine, Eureka, Timbisha Shoshone x2, Native Community Action Council, Nuclear Energy Institute)

• DOE, NRC Staff• Two counsel each

DOE Funding

• FY 1982-2007 approximately $300-400+ mil.• 2009 $288 mil.• 2010 $196 mil.• 2011 ? (referred to as “the out years”)

The NRC has $47 mil.of its own for all nuclear facility licensing.

Two Tracks

• NRC proceeding continue stretched out over “the out years”

• The Nuclear Waste Policy Act is the law!...unless amended or repealed.

• President Obama, Secretary Chu and Senator Reid are pursuing alternatives to Yucca Mountain (Blue Ribbon Commission).

Where are Tribes?

• Tribal concerns/recommendations:

• Location, location, location…NIMBY.• Public involvement.• Consultation• Transportation• Advocate

Conclusion

• More information• http://www.moapapaiutes.com

• http://www.trackhearings.com

• http://www.nrc.gov