Bipartisan House Bill Reintroduced to Establish Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Published: Fri, 03/15/13

 
The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is pleased to announce that House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Congressman Ben Luján (NM-03) today introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1208) in the House of Representatives to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that will encompass facilities in Hanford, Washington; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

ECA is happy to see that we now have a Senate and House Bill introduced that will establish a three-unit National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos and Hanford as recommended by the National Park Service Special Resource Study. 
 
Mayor Beehan stressed today that "all three of our communities are united in our support" for the establishment of a National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos and Hanford.  Mayor Beehan added that the park "is about giving current and future generations a better understanding of this indisputable turning point in world history.  It is easy for those of us who live in the communities of Oak Ridge, Los Alamos and the Tri-Cities to say that the Manhattan Project changed the world...The Manhattan Project is an incredible story that deserves to be preserved and told."
 
ECA supports five recommendations for legislation establishing a National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos and Hanford including:

  • Establish the Park Now to Honor Our Manhattan Project Veterans.  There is unanimity among the three communities that the Park should be established in the near term in order to honor our Manhattan Project and Cold War veterans.
  • Protect ongoing Missions of DOE.  We support legislative language that protects the ongoing missions of DOE, and recognize the need for appropriate flexibility in the partnership among the stakeholders.
  • Authorize User/Entrance Fees. Although the legislation should recognize DOE's responsibility to maintain its assets, authorization for a modest entry/user fee should be included to assist in the long term stewardship of non-DOE-owned assets. 
  • Donations authority should be broad.  We want to ensure that the National Park is permitted to accept both personal property and financial donations to support the park and the tours of the sites.
  • Allow inclusion of Nationally Significant Sites.  We need flexibility to permit the NPS to work with communities to be able to add sites that are nationally significant and suitable for inclusion in the Historic Park.
The ECA Executive Board has also expressed their strong support for the establishment of a National Historical Park at the three sites.  Today, ECA Secretary and Mayor of Kennewick, Washington Steve Young said, "We are thrilled to see this step toward making the new National Park a reality.  There's no question that the story of the Manhattan Project and the contributions of the men and women who supported it are of high interest to the American public.  This creates a real opportunity for our communities to share our collective history while realizing the benefits of the heritage tourism industry a National Park is likely to create."
 
ECA Immediate Past Chair, Richland Councilmember Bob Thompson stated, "The Historical Park is culmination of a lot of people's hard work both in the communities and nationally.  The leadership of our Congressional members and Senators from our sites along with the partnership between U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Park Service will make this a reality."
 
ECA Treasurer, Los Alamos Councilor Fran Berting added, "We are here today because the cities, counties, historical societies, citizens groups, librarians, scientific groups and others have come together from all walks of life to support this national historical park." 
 
ECA Vice Chair, Aiken County Councilman Chuck Smith remarked, "All communities should support this legislation as it teaches the lessons of America and identifies an important moment in our history."
 
ECA is the non-profit organization of local governments which host, or are adjacent to DOE sites.  A full copy of ECA's testimony on the 2012 bill can be found on our website www.energyca.org For further information contact Allison Doman, Deputy Executive Director of ECA at 202-828-2423 or Allison@energyca.org. 
 
Bipartisan House Bill Reintroduced to Establish Manhattan Project National Historical Park
House Natural Resources Committee
March 15, 2013
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 15, 2013 - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Congressman Ben Luján (NM-03) today introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1208) in the House of Representatives to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that will encompass facilities in Hanford, Washington; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

The Manhattan Project was an unprecedented top-secret program to construct a nuclear weapon during World War II. This effort combined military and scientific resources and involved hundreds of thousands of workers.
 
"The Manhattan Project is a significant chapter in America's history. The establishment of this park will ensure that this history is preserved and that facilities, such as Hanford's B Reactor, will remain open and accessible for future generations to visit. I'll continue to work with advocates in these local communities, as well as with my colleagues in both the House and the Senate, towards the goal of getting this bill enacted into law," said Chairman Hastings.
 
"Oak Ridge and the other Manhattan Project sites played a significant role in the security of our nation and the world. Creation of this park will provide access to the public and help spread the story of the outstanding work done by the men and women of East Tennessee and the other sites. I am honored to sponsor this bill with Chairman Hastings and look forward to working with him towards its passage," said Rep. Fleischmann.
 
"More than 50 years ago, Los Alamos National Laboratory was created to build an atomic explosive to counter the threat posed by the German nuclear development program during World War II. It is important that we preserve this story and the others of the nuclear age so that future generations can understand the impact of this project on the world for both the good and the bad. This legislation ensures that the legacy of the Manhattan Project and the people who were instrumental to its goal will not be forgotten. A national historical park in these communities will help tell this story and allow us to reflect on how this project changed the world and how we can move forward ensuring peace and prosperity," said Congressman Luján.
 
The bill directs that the Manhattan National Historical Park be established as a unit of the National Park System within one year and specifies the facilities and areas at each of the three locations that are eligible for inclusion. Nearly all of these facilities and areas are currently owned by the federal government and under the purview of the Department of Energy, with which the bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement that will include provisions for enhanced public access, management, interpretation, and historic preservation. The establishment of the Manhattan Project National Park is supported by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service.
 
The bill received a bipartisan, majority vote last Congress. However, it did not receive the two-thirds support necessary to pass when it was brought to the floor under "suspension of the House rules" - an expedited and abbreviated process for considering and voting on bills.
 
Similar bipartisan legislation (S. 507), sponsored by Senators Maria Cantwell (WA) and Lamar Alexander (TN) was introduced in the Senate last week.
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