CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER

Resolution 3-1995

(Introduced by Susan Bailey, Council;
drafted by Michael Mariotte, citizen, City of Mount Rainier)

A resolution opposing United States Senate Bill 167 and similar legislation which would require radioactive waste transportation near or through Mount Rainier.

WHEREAS, according to documentation provided by the State of Nevada which indicates that radioactive waste may be transported through Mount Rainier as early as 1998 should United States Senate Bill 167 or similar legislation be enacted by the U.S. Congress; and

WHEREAS, Mount Rainier does not have adequately trained emergency response personnel or equipment to cope with a radiological disaster that could occur as a result of radioactive waste transportation through Mount Rainier; and

WHEREAS, the federal government, under United States Senate Bill 167 and similar legislation, would limit funding to Mount Rainier for training of emergency response personnel and for purchase of necessary equipment to cope with a radiological emergency; and

WHEREAS, property values are likely to fall, attraction of new business is likely to fail, and improvement of Mount Rainier may become difficult if not impossible should radioactive waste be transported through Mount Rainier; and

WHEREAS, this radioactive waste is to be transported to an "interim" site in Nevada, and thus does little or nothing to solve our nation's radioactive waste problem; and,

WHEREAS, we generally oppose radioactive waste transportation through Mount Rainier; and

WHEREAS, Mount Rainier has been a nuclear-free zone since February 1, 1983,

Now, therefore be it resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Mount Rainier, Maryland that Mount Rainier is on record as strongly opposing United States Senate Bill 167 and all similar legislation which would require radioactive waste transportation near or through Mount Rainier; and

Be it further resolved that Mount Rainier supports creation of an independent presidential commission to re-examine our nation's radioactive waste policy; and

Be it further resolved that Mount Rainier implores all Route One Partnership municipalities, Brentwood, North Brentwood, Riverdale, Hyattsville, College Park and University Park to go on record as strongly opposing United States Senate Bill 167 and all similar legislation which would require radioactive waste transportation near or through our communities; and

Be it further resolved that Mount Rainier will forward this resolution to all of our elected local, state, and federal officials and to the President of the United States.

Adopted the 21st day of February, 1995.