Opposition to high-level radioactive waste shipments by the City of Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri:

On City of Kirkwood, MO (Est. 1853) letterhead:

February 17, 2000

Wendy Dixon, Program Manager
Yucca Mountain Environmental Impact Statement
U.S. Department of Energy, OCRWM
P.O. Box 30307, Mail Stop 010
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89036-0307

Dear Ms. Dixon:

The Kirkwood City Council objects to the placing of our residents at risk by the proposed transportation of the radioactive waste being transported through our metropolitan area, which is highly residential. We believe there are less populated routes available and if the waste is indeed transported it should not be through an area such as ours.

The City recommends, at a minimum, that local emergency management officials and fire chiefs be notified in advance of shipments passing through Kirkwood; local fire and emergency management personnel be provided training and procedures to follow in the event of an accident; and that, rail cars be adequately marked as to their radioactive contents.

Rail traffic through town such as Kirkwood has increased many fold during the last five years, and adequate safety consideration must be assured by the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation and the railroads. Ideally, the shipments should avoid metropolitan areas.

Sincerely,

Marjorie B. Schramm
Mayor
[City of Kirkwood]
139 South Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122-4300
City Hall 314-822-5802
Facsimile 314-822-5863

City Council: Barbara J. Byerly; Richard G. Byrd; Charles D. Fuszner; Timothy E. Griffin; Thomas J. Noonan; Mike Swoboda