S.C.R. 5 Enrolled

1

RESOLUTION OPPOSING DIVINE STRAKE
2 2007 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Gene Davis
5 House Sponsor: Lynn N. Hemingway
6 Cosponsors:
7 Gregory S. Bell
8 Curtis S. Bramble
9 Margaret Dayton
10 Mike Dmitrich
11 Dan R. Eastman
12 Fred J. FifeBrent H. Goodfellow
Jon J. Greiner
Patricia W. Jones
Sheldon L. Killpack
Ed Mayne
Scott D. McCoy
Wayne L. NiederhauserDarin G. Peterson
Ross I. Romero
Dennis E. Stowell
John L. Valentine
Kevin T. Van Tassell
Michael G. Waddoups
Carlene M. Walker 13
14 LONG TITLE
15 General Description:
16 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor expresses opposition to
17 the Divine Strake explosive test to be conducted in Nevada in 2007.
18 Highlighted Provisions:
19 This resolution:
20 . expresses opposition to the Divine Strake high-explosive test to be conducted by the
21 Defense Threat Reduction Agency at the United States Department of Energy
22 Nevada Test Site in 2007.
23 Special Clauses:
24 None
25
26 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
27 WHEREAS, "Divine Strake" is the code name for a large high-explosive test to be
28 conducted by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency;
29 WHEREAS, the Pentagon has stated the purpose of the test is to "determine the
30 potential for future non-nuclear concepts," such as high-energy weapons or the simultaneous
31 use of multiple conventional bombs to destroy deeply buried and fortified military targets, as an

32 alternative to detonating a nuclear device;
33 WHEREAS, the test was originally planned to take place June 2, 2006 at the site of an
34 existing underground tunnel in the United States Department of Energy Nevada Test Site, but
35 was postponed several times due to legal action, then later delayed until 2007;
36 WHEREAS, the test is scheduled to utilize 700 tons of an ammonium nitrate combined
37 with fuel oil explosive, which is equivalent to 593 tons of TNT;
38 WHEREAS, there is concern that the explosion could stir up nuclear particles, left from
39 previous tests conducted decades earlier at the Nevada test site, into the atmosphere;
40 WHEREAS, in December 2006, the revision to the Environmental Assessment was
41 released, and although the study concluded that there are no health risks to persons outside the
42 blast area, it stated, "Since suspended natural radionuclides and resuspended fallout
43 radionuclides from the detonation have potential to be transported off of the NTS by wind, they
44 may contribute a radiological dose to the public";
45 WHEREAS, on January 22, 2006, the Washington County Commission issued a
46 statement opposing the federal government's plan to conduct the test which reads in part, "The
47 City of St. George has a unique history due to its proximity to the Nevada Nuclear Test Site
48 during the atomic age . . . thousands of early deaths of those living in southern Utah and the
49 surrounding areas have been attributed to nuclear testing during the 1950s and 1960s at the site.
50 Many St. George residents and others have suffered incalculable loss as a result of radioactive
51 fallout exposure from the detonations at the site";
52 WHEREAS, the Commission added, "To assure the safety and well-being of our
53 citizenry, these concerns must be carefully studied and evaluated before a decision is made to
54 proceed with the proposed detonation"; and
55 WHEREAS, much more needs to be done to assure that there is never a repeat of the
56 immense suffering endured by citizens of Utah and nearby states due to the nuclear fallout from
57 past tests at the Nevada Test Site:
58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
59 Governor concurring therein, express opposition to the Divine Strake high-explosive test to be

60 conducted by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at the United States Department of Energy
61 Nevada Test Site in 2007.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the Defense
63 Threat Reduction Agency, the United States Department of Defense, the United States
64 Department of Energy Nevada Test Site, the Washington County Commission, and to the
65 members of Utah's congressional delegation.