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FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2003

The Yakama Nation of Washington plans to sue the Department of Energy for cleanup efforts at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

The tribe contends DOE has failed to protect the Columbia River from hazardous substances. The tribe says radioactive waste and other material have led to dwindling runs of salmon.

Hanford was part of Yakama Nation territory until it was ceded by a late 1800s treaty. Several tribes in the Pacific Northwest used the area for gathering and other purposes.

Up until the 1930s, when the site was converted to the nuclear reservation, the Wanapum Band, which is not federally recognized, lived on the land.

Get the Story:
Yakama Nation set to sue DOE (The Mid-Columbia Tri-City Herald 6/6)
Yakamas plan to sue Energy Dept. over pollution of Columbia River (AP 6/6)

Relevant Links:
Indian Nations Program, Hanford Site - http://www.hanford.gov/doe/inp/index.htm
Cultural and Historic Resource Program, Hanford Site - http://www.hanford.gov/doe/culres/native.html

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