Divine Strake Hearing Draws Hundreds

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Hundreds of people turned out last night to demand answers from a group of government scientists and officials working on the proposed Divine Strake explosives test. The mood was calm but skeptical as people filed through a series of displays covering various aspects of the test. The format was intended to foster one-on-one conversation, but frustrated many attendees hoping for a formal presentation from officials.

"They've got a lot of people trying to smooth a lot of ruffled feathers," noted Jenica Fuller of Ogden. "I don't think they're smoothing very many, though."

Fuller came to ask one simple question - why is the test necessary? She says the answers she got were too vague. Others in the group questioned the government's claim radiation exposure from Divine Strake will be miniscule.

"I'm sure they're all very smart guys and they all have degrees," said downwinder Duane Carling. "But my question is 'You lied to us for over 20 years. Why should we think you're telling the truth now?'"

Nevada Test Site spokesman Darwin Morgan responds this way:

"The government agency of the 1950s does not exist today," says Nevada Test Site spokesman Darwin Morgan. "If that government agency still existed, we would have already conducted this experiment. We did not have the environmental laws in place that we do know. The protocols today start with the safety and health questions first."

Attendees at the meeting were encouraged to submit their concerns in writing.

In two weeks, Utahns will have a chance to express their concerns orally at a public hearing organized by Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Junior. The hearing in Salt Lake City will be on January 24th at 5:30 p.m. at the State Capitol.

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