Letter to the editor
Viewpoint on Alaska’s Nuclear Situation
I recently read your article that appeared in the July 2004 issue of the Alaska Humanity News titled “Nuclear Secrets Buried In Open Sight.” While I found the article very interesting, I also was disappointed that you continued to perpetuate a number of myths regarding the former S(mall) M(obil)-1A nuclear reactor located at Fort Greely, Alaska. For reference, between September 1990 and December 2003, I was the former Chief, Environmental Resources Department, US Army Alaska. This position required me to become knowledgeable regarding the cleanup and operational history of the SM-1A.
During the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the Army received funding to build nine reactors. Of the original nine, three still exist today: The original SM-1, located at Fort Belvoir, VA; the SM-1A, located at Fort Greely, and the MH-1A (Mobil, High powered) unit that was placed on a former Liberty Ship built during the 1940’s named the Sturgis.
The Fort Greely unit was capable of producing 20 megawatts of electricity and also supplied steam for heating purposes. All three units were shut down during the 1970’s. None of these reactors were designed to produce weapons-grade plutonium used in the creation of nuclear weapons. The Army shut the reactors down in the 1970’s mostly for funding reasons. Congress was not funding this program to the levels seen 10 to 20 years earlier and I clearly remember in the early 1970’s questions of safety were being asked regarding the longevity and condition of the reactors.
The shut down process was overseen by the Nuclear Energy Commission, and followed the protocols of the early 1970’s. The reactor was encased in concrete within the concrete containment structure with the fuel rods and primary coolant being transferred to the outside. I do not know where this material was shipped to; it remains classified and I can only guess as to the location.
The Army conducts annual surveys of the Containment structure and reports the data. A lot of this information was made public during the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process that occurred at Fort Greely in the late 1990’s. During the BRAC process, I participated in the decision that the low-level radioactive contamination that was found in the soils adjoining the waste waterline would be removed and disposed in the licensed lower 48 Radiation Disposal site. This soil removal action was undertaken to ensure public safety to lands that would no longer be managed by the military. I have learned after 30 years in the environmental cleanup business that deed restrictions do not work and the safest thing to do was remove the contaminated soil. In hindsight, if I had known the missile system was to be deployed to Fort Greely then, I would not have recommended this course of action. The water line was buried 3 to 4 feet below the surface and posed no adverse health exposure to anyone on the ground surface
Did the SM-1A produce pollution? That question remains open for debate. Unfortunately, after 30 years cleaning up or managing environmental cleanup and compliance programs, I can state that we have not gotten much better at preventing pollution. I can say we have gotten better at cleaning up the pollution, though.
Douglas W. Johnson