Washington’s Enormous Nuclear Waste Site Is A Risk To Idaho

Hanford Nuclear Waste Site: Risks and Impact on Idaho's Environment

The Hanford Nuclear Waste Site is just across the border in southeastern Washington and remains one of the most dangerous radioactive hotspots in the United States. Its impact is uncomfortably close, especially for those concerned about environmental safety and the health of the Columbia River.

A Nuclear Legacy That Idaho Can't Ignore

The Hanford Nuclear site dates back to the 1940s when it started producing plutonium for atomic weapons during World War II and the Cold War. The 586-square-mile area contains an unbelievable amount of radioactive waste: a whopping 56 million gallons. So, what's the connection to Idaho? The Columbia River. The Columbia River snakes along northern Hanford and eventually flows downstream, spilling into Idaho's agriculture and ecosystem zones.

Water contamination continues to be a concern. For decades, radioactive materials like uranium and tritium have trickled into the groundwater and moved toward the Columbia River. The big problem is that they could contaminate Idaho's waterways used for irrigation or recreation.

The Complicated Clean Up Efforts

Since the 1980s, over $2 billion has been spent annually on repairing leaky underground tanks and transforming radioactive waste into solid glass through a process called vitrification. Idaho has been monitoring the situation during this process, as nuclear materials can potentially migrate into the state.

What Idaho Can Do

Idaho supports environmental groups and policymakers advocating for an effective Hanford cleanup. With a shared river system and vulnerable ecosystems, Idaho has to remain a voice for safety and accountability for nuclear waste management.