Uranium studies collection
Content Description
The bulk of the collection is broadly concerned with the studies and reports relating to the US Government’s efforts to located a site for the long-term storage of nuclear waste from the civilian nuclear power program, which stemmed from the passage of the Nuclear Waste Repository Act of 1982.
Acquisition Type
Deposit
Provenance
Not completely clear. The collection itself came to the Library via the San Juan County Commission through William (Bill) Redd. They had no room to house it in the San Juan County Libraries, Commissioner Redd still wanted access to it as he was planning on writing a book on uranium extraction in the area (possibly), and according to sources he negotiated with the Library to house it in Blanding and a sum of money was paid to the College to do so (Susan reports $500,000, Heather has heard $50,000, however it is unclear which is correct and where the money went). Unfortunately, there is no paperwork in the collection to provide documentation for any agreement.
Language of Description
English
Script of Description
Latin
Restrictions Apply
No
Access Restrictions
Despite being listed under the USUE repository, the physical materials are actually housed in Blanding (USU-Blanding does not have a Special Collections program). Any archaeological reports with locations of native burial grounds or sacred sites are restricted.
Dates
- Creation: 1980-1996
Extent
52.75 Linear Feet
Inventory
Much of this background material is comprised of reports produced by the Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation, an office run by the Battelle Memorial Institute (a government contractor). These appear to be the early reports on the proposed sites which, given the dates, would later inform the official Department of Energy final assessments—also found in the collection. There are also numerous transcriptions from public hearings on the sites from each of the states, and what appears to be two slide carousels that may have been used in public presentations on the issue. Additionally, there is a large collection of newsletters from the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) which are collections of newspaper clippings relating to the public debate around nuclear power, waste storage, and transportation of the waste.