LEDE: Big changes are coming to the Hanford Advisory Board. That group of environmental watchdogs, state governments, municipalities and tribal sovereign nations — all with keen interest in Hanford cleanup – will be significantly whittled down. [Hanford is the 586-square-mile cleanup site in southeast Washington state.] N-W-P-B’s Senior Correspondent Anna King has the details. 

[OPTIONAL HOST OUT: Hanford is where the nation produced plutonium during World War II and the Cold War, and is the nation’s largest cleanup site.]

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy made an announcement at the Hanford Advisory Board’s regular meeting. The board is made up of around 70 people – including alternates. It would shrink to about 20 federally-selected people. Instead of groups or Tribal nations speaking on the board, each person will represent just themselves.
The board has been around for 32 years.
Tom Sicilia is with the Oregon Department of Energy. He’s part of the board – but speaking just for himself.
 
Tom Sicilia: “What we’re losing is the collaboration and coalition building to amplify the message that the Columbia River needs to be protected.” [:11]

The changes will go into effect on October first.

In Richland, I’m Anna King.