Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) is joining opposition to the Pentagon's plan to blow up more than 700 tons of explosives at the Nevada Test Site.

Huntsman said the blast should be halted because it could stir up radioactive fallout left from prior nuclear weapons tests. The same concerns have motivated members of the Western Shoshone Nation and other downwinders to oppose the military exercise, known as the "Divine Strake."

Huntsman and members of Utah's Congressional delegation say the Defense Threat Reduction Agency needs to prove that the test will be safe.

Get the Story:
Guv says Nevada blast is a bad idea (The Salt Lake Tribune 4/28)

Relevant Links:
Western Shoshone Defense Project - http://www.wsdp.org
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/cerd.htm

Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act:
Bill Report | H.R.884 | S.618

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