Dec. 12, 2000: People sought to offer monumental input

People sought to offer monumental input

This story was published Dec. 12, 2000

By Mike Lee
Herald staff writer

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking help from people on how to run the new Hanford Reach National Monument.

The agency recently released a request for applications to join the 13-member advisory committee that will help develop the site's land use plan.

"This committee will provide valuable advice during the development of a comprehensive management plan for the monument," said Anne Badgley, the agency's regional director. "The service is committed to involving the public in decisions about how the ... monument is managed."

In an open letter to the public, Badgley said the committee will be formed and ready to meet by May, and that it probably will meet for two years - the time it's expected to take to complete the plan.

The committee's main purpose is to ensure people affected by the monument have a chance to shape how it's run. President Clinton created the national monument in June, protecting about 195,000 acres and the Columbia River roughly between Richland and Priest Rapids Dam.

Clinton's executive order angered some local officials and spawned at least one lawsuit by a property-rights protection group. Nonetheless, local officials opposed to the designation are expected to try to get seats on the committee and take a special interest in maintaining public access to the land and water.

Badgley made it clear the committee's recommendations are not legally binding. However, she said, her agency and the Department of Energy "will seriously consider all recommendations, and expect to use them in the decision-making process."

The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking nominations from local cities, counties, school boards, economic interests, conservation organizations, the state and tribal governments. It also wants nominees who represent scientific, academic and recreation interests.

Committee members must be Washington residents and will be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. Applicants should have a knowledge of monument lands, experience working with the government and the ability to attend at least six meetings each year.

Nomination forms are available by calling the service's monument headquarters at 371-1801 or by downloading a copy off the Internet at www.r1.fws.gov. The forms include a biographical sketch and a review of qualifications. Deadline for applications is Jan. 8.