Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) and Congressman Ben Lujan (NM-03) today introduced legislation (H.R. 5987) in the House of Representatives to establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that will include facilities at Hanford, Washington, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

“It’s taken years of work by advocates in these local communities to get to this point. Today we are another step closer to preserving and sharing this unparalleled piece of our history for current and future generations. Establishing this Park will give visitors a first-hand look at Hanford’s B Reactor and other Manhattan Project facilities that played a defining role in our nation’s history and help ensure that these historical landmarks are remembered and cared for,” said Hastings.

Under the bill the Department of the Interior has one year to establish the Manhattan Project National Historical Park and enter into an agreement with the Department of Energy governing the respective roles in administering the facilities, enhancing public access, management, interpretation and historic preservation.

Last year, a Congressionally-directed National Park Service study recommended a Park Unit that includes facilities at Hanford, Oak Ridge and Los Alamos.

The House Natural Resources Committee, which Hastings chairs, will hold a Subcommittee legislative hearing on the bill on Thursday, June 28^th at 10:00 a.m.

WHAT:	Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands legislative hearing on: H.R. 5987, To establish the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hanford, Washington, and for other purposes. Witnesses are by invitation only. Other bills are also included on the Subcommittee agenda.
WHEN:	Thursday, June 28, 2012 10:00 AM
WHERE:	1324 Hearing Room in the Longworth House Office Building

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