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Who is CCNS? CCNS is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that was founded in 1988 because of concerns about nuclear waste transportation from the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the nation's oldest nuclear weapons production facility, to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the nation's first permanent nuclear weapons waste repository. CCNS has since evolved into a nationally important organization known for research, litigation, public education and community outreach and organizing on a range of nuclear safety issues. CCNS is a 501 (c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible. CCNS focuses on: The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) CCNS researches and seeks solutions to the environmental, health and safety impacts of LANL operations on northern New Mexico. CCNS also works on issues concerning the consolidation of U.S. nuclear weapons activities in New Mexico. Through its work to oppose all nuclear weapons production expansion at LANL, CCNS seeks to fundamentally transform LANL's weapons programs to better align them with post-Cold War realities and international efforts to cease the proliferation of nuclear weapons. CCNS is also a founding member of Los Alamos National Laboratory Water Watch (LANL WW), A network of community groups who have come together to address water issues at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) CCNS researches the scientific, political and social concerns surrounding the underground disposal facility for nuclear weapons waste. We monitor and comment on WIPP's operations in order to ensure that the facility does not compromise the environment, health or safety of southern New Mexico or those along the waste transportation routes. CCNS works to oppose expansion of WIPP's mission. What does CCNS do? Rio Grande Watershed Initiative, CCNS has been the frontrunner organization analyzing the impacts of LANL on one of New MexicoÕs most valuable natural resources, the Rio Grande. CCNS organized a series of rafting trips along the river in order to sample the springs that emanate from beneath LANL and feed the Rio Grande. CCNS's independent technical experts collected and analyzed the samples and produced a series of technical reviews of their findings. CCNS will continue to be a steward of the river through oversight and participation in decisionmaking processes. CCNS helped to establish citizen' monitoring for radionuclides in communities downwind of LANL through the Community Radiation Monitoring Group. CCNS participates in decisionmaking regarding LANL and WIPP by reviewing and commenting on technical documents, operating permits and proposed changes environmental monitoring. We report to the public the details of these documents and our response so as to enable more informed community participation in Department of Energy activities in New Mexico. Human Health and Safety CCNS is dedicated to the health and safety of the communities surrounding LANL. Our report, New Mexico's Right to Know: The Impacts of LANL Operations on Human Health and the Environment, outlines plutonium releases from LANL to the air, cancer incidence and mortality in Los Alamos County and occupational health studies at LANL. The report is available on our website. CCNS is a member of the New Mexico Environment and Health Coalition, which investigates the impacts of polluting industries on the health and safety of New Mexicans.
Public Education and Community Outreach
CCNS is committed to facilitating community involvement. Our efforts include:
CCNS organizes public events in order to educate our community about the effects of the nuclear weapons complex in New Mexico.
CCNS produces fact sheets, public comment letters and reports to inform public participation in decisionmaking regarding Department of Energy activities in our state.
The CCNS Weekly News Update, a weekly radio broadcast featuring news and information about the nuclear weapons complex in New Mexico and nationwide, has been broadcast on several stations throughout New Mexico for more than 15 years.
The CCNS website, www.nuclearactive.org, presents the latest information about the nuclear weapons complex and event updates offering ways in which the community can get involved.
Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety RadioActive Hotline: 505/982-5611 (Santa Fe); 800/456-8863 (Nationwide) |
