Perceptions of on-site hunters: environmental concerns, future land use, and cleanup options at the Savannah river site.
The Department of Energy owns land in 34 states, and most of these lands have been off limits to the public for over 50 years. Although some parts of each site are contaminated, most of many sites are not. With the ending of the Cold War, the department is considering alternative land uses. In this article, the perceptions of hunters and fishermen allowed on site for a limited time were examined, about environmental concerns, future land use, and cleanup options. Although loss of jobs was the foremost concern, preserving parts of the site had more support as a future land use than continuing the nuclear mission, and nearly three-quarters of the sample supported cleanup, regardless of cost. On-site employment was a significant indicator of lower concern about safety and environmental issues, less support for designating the site for research, and more concern for maintaining jobs.
Division of Life Sciences, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000639:trends; D003625:Data Collection; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D011850:Radioactive Waste / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011998:Recreation; D013022:South Carolina; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D011850:Radioactive Waste