Nuclear and Indigenous Items of Interest: Federal board rebuffs opposition to rail application

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Federal board rebuffs opposition to rail application

Federal board rebuffs opposition to rail application

Agency seeks to build Yucca Mountain line

By STEVE TETREAULT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON -- The federal railroad board has said it will consider the Department of Energy's bid to build a nuclear waste rail line to Yucca Mountain, setting aside a Nevada protest that the application was incomplete.

The Surface Transportation Board denied Nevada's demand that it turn away DOE's application to build and operate a 300-mile railroad from Caliente across rural Nevada to the repository site. The board ruled on June 27.

Paul Lamboley, a Reno transportation attorney working for Nevada, said Tuesday the state was considering options for possible appeal.

Attorneys for the state had argued the DOE rail application lacked an operating plan, safety plans and a meaningful analysis of terrorism risks. They questioned the adequacy of environmental material included in the application.

Critics of the proposed nuclear waste repository charge DOE is rushing to get the ball rolling on Yucca Mountain applications before the nuclear-friendly Bush administration leaves office at the end of the year.

But the three-member rail board said DOE had submitted sufficient information to move forward with a more detailed review. The department could not be expected to provide everything at this point, still several years away from operation, they said.

The board also rejected Nevada's complaint that it had no jurisdiction over the Yucca Mountain project.

The Surface Transportation Board regulates "common carrier" railroads that offer services to the public.

The Department of Energy has yet to declare whether to offer use of the Nevada rail to ranchers and farmers or to operate the line as a private railroad.

The distinction could be important. If DOE declares its Nevada line as private rail, it would fall under state jurisdiction and give Nevada officials opportunities to block it through police, water and land use regulations.

In its seven-page ruling, the board said that made little difference at this point whether DOE has made the decision.

"While DOE may not have made a final decision as to whether to have common carrier service on the proposed Caliente line, such uncertainty does not deprive this agency of jurisdiction," the panel said.

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Public Statement by Corbin's Immediate Family

July 10, 2007 (TurtleIsland). Corbin Harney Spiritual Leader of the Western Shoshone Nation crossed over at 11:00 a.m. this morning in a house on a sacred mountain near Santa Rosa, CA (Turtle Island). He had dedicated his life to fighting the nuclear testing and dumping.

That battle claimed his life through cancer.

According to witnesses present, in the morning fog, the spirits of four Shoshone dog soldiers were outside on horseback before Corbin’s passing. But then one of the Shoshone present, Santiago Lozada, yelled “Tosawi Tosawi!” (White Knife). And then the fog shifted and there were thousands of spirits waiting.

Corbin passed peacefully at the end. He was only worried that he still had more to do. When he finally let go and went with the dog soldiers, Red Wolf Pope, grandson of Rolling Thunder, was present and sang him the Tosawi death song to call the dog soldiers to come take him home. Golden eagles continue to circle the house hours after his crossing.”

True to form Corbin joked around several days ago that he was going to go at 11:00, and kept his promise.

Over his lifetime, Corbin traveled around the world as a speaker, healer and spiritual leader with a profound spiritual and environmental message for all. He received numerous national and international awards and spoke before the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Corbin also authored two books: “The Way It Is: One Water, One Air, One Earth” (Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1995) and a forthcoming book, “The Nature Way”. Numerous documentaries have been made about his work and message.

In 1994, Corbin established the Shundahai Network to work with people and organizations to respond to spiritual and environmental concerns on nuclear issues. He also established Poo Ha Bah, a native healing center located in Tecopa Springs, California. He will be missed but always honored for his work and dedication to traditional ways.

Corbin Harney is descended from generations of Newe (Shoshone) traditional healers and was always grateful for the many extraordinary teachers who shared their knowledge in his lifetime.

Corbin is survived by his daughter Reynaulda Taylor; granddaughters Ann Taylor and Nada Leno; grandsons Keith, Jon and Joel Leno and William Henry Taylor; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and his sister Rosie Blossom’s family and many cousins and other family members as well as many, many friends around the world. Corbin was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, grandparents, uncle, great granddaughter, cousins, and friends. A very special thanks to Patricia Davidson, Corbin’s caregiver in his final months; Dominic Daileda, Corbin’s friend and companion for his support and compassion in hard times, and the family of Dixie and Martin van der Kamp for opening up their home and their hearts to Corbin and his family and friends during his time of need.

Dates and times for services are being made with official announcement to follow. Three day services are planned at the home of Larson R. Bill, So Ho Bee – Newe Sogobe (Lee, Nevada –Western Shoshone Territory) with burial services at Battle Mountain Indian Community, Battle Mountain Nevada.