A Briefing Guide to Initiative 297

The Hanford Nuclear Reservation in southeastern Washington is one of the most contaminated nuclear waste sites in the world. Containing the threat to public health and the environment from the Hanford Site will be a daunting and time consuming task, but a vitally necessary one. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing a new cleanup plan that will undermine progress and leave Washington at risk. To ensure that DOE lives up to its commitment to clean up the Hanford Site, citizens have banded together to put forward Initiative 297 for voter approval. This report summarizes the major issues behind Initiative 297 and the role it will play in holding the DOE to a higher standard.