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  • Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gregoire�s statement on Initiative 297 decision

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal�s decision on Initiative 297:

"I am disappointed in the court's decision invalidating Initiative 297, which barred the import of radioactive and hazardous waste to the Hanford site. The initiative was supported by nearly 70 percent of the voters, and we fought hard to defend it in the face of a constitutional challenge brought by the federal government. The decision doesn�t limit our ability to require cleanup at Hanford under other existing laws and the Tri-Party Agreement. I will continue to do everything I can to make sure that Hanford is cleaned up in a manner that protects our citizens and the Columbia River."