October 17, 1993 --2Finally, the presence of "actinide" elements such as Pu is strictly limited by Federal law to a negligible low level. Can, nevertheless, the intent of the law be circumvented deliberately or accidentally? Sure it can. But the very nature of radioactivity--its tell-tale radiation--makes it possible to detect extremely small quantities. And a lot more easily than, say, marijuana or cocaine or explosives.
The implication of that scary illustration in Pat's article, that half-life alone determines danger to life, is simply not so. A radioactive material is dangerous only if it can deliver a sufficiently high dose of ionizing radiation in a given set of circumstances. And that depends on a lot of things other than half-life.
So, Pat Acheson, the "disastrous action" would be to delay Ward Valley by all means fair or foul, rather than act responsibly, and develop it into a safe location for the orderly, monitored storage of spent LLW.
John McCulley, take notice.
Sincerely,
| P. S. | I'm a more than forty
year member of the Sierra Club, and an avid reader of each issue of the SAGE.
(I'm one of the 37 that renewed this year). But at 78 I don't feel I should
impose myself into the company of those who perform the sort of climbing (and
gustatory) adventures so vividly described in your articles. I enjoy such feats
vicariously, a sort of pale imitation of Louise Werner, a situation mentioned a
few issues back. Only I can't begin to compare with her background in outdoor
activity! |
P.P.S |
If any would care to take issue with my views, I would be glad to respond to communications directed to me at the address at the head of this letter.  |
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Dear Editor, Some concern has been expressed because Mojave Peak and Needle Eye are located within the Yuma Proving Grounds. However, at least half of the YPG is open to the public (no permission needed). This includes the western approach to Mojave Peak and the portion of the YPG north of Cibola Road, an area visited by hundreds of "snowbirds" who spend the winter in the vicinity of Quartzsite. In Fact, the road to the Castle Dome Mine passes right through the Yuma Proving Grounds. (The restricted areas are shown on the Arizona state map prepared by the Arizona Dept. of Transportation.) Those areas that ARE closed to the public are well posted! Portions of the Barry M. Goldwater Range (formerly Luke AFB) south of Yuma are also open to the public, although entry permits are required. Noisy Jets may be flying over- |