The House of Representatives today approved the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014, which included an amendment to establish a Manhattan Project National Historic Park.  The bipartisan amendment, offered by Congressman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), and Congressman Ben Luján (NM-03), is nearly identical to H.R. 1208 and would protect and provide public access to Manhattan Project facilities at Hanford, Washington; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Los Alamos, New Mexico.  

The Manhattan Project was an unprecedented top-secret program to construct a nuclear weapon during World War II, which played an integral part in ending World War II.  

“Establishing these sites as national parks is the best way to preserve their history and ensure there is public access for decades to come.  I’m pleased we were able to get this amendment approved and will continue to look for every opportunity to advocate for the Manhattan Project national historical park until it becomes law,” said Chairman Hastings.  

Under the amendment, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park would be established as a unit of the National Park System within one year.  It specifies the facilities and areas at each of the three locations that are eligible for inclusion in the Park.  Nearly all of these facilities and areas are already owned by the federal government and under the purview of the Department of Energy.  The amendment requires coordination, planning and cooperation between the Park Service and the Department of Energy to ensure safe and secure access to these locations. 

The establishment of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park is supported by the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and the National Park Service.

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