Figure 16. Wildlife on the Hanford Site.
Meteorological measurements are taken at Hanford to support Site emergency preparedness, Site operations, and atmospheric dispersion calculations. Weather forecasting and the maintenance and distribution of climatological data are provided.
The Hanford Meteorological Station is located on the 200 Area Plateau where the prevailing wind direction is from the northwest during all months. The secondary wind direction is from the southwest. The average wind speed for 1995 was 12.6 kilometers per hour (7.8 miles per hour), which was slightly less than normal, and the peak gust for the year was 98 kilometers per hour (61 miles per hour).
Precipitation for 1995 totaled 31.3 centimeters (12.3 inches), 196% of normal, with 19.6 centimeters (7.7 inches) of snow recorded. 1995 was the wettest year on record.
Temperatures for 1995 ranged from -13.3°C (8°F) in January and February to 40.6°C (105°F) in July.
Wildlife inhabiting the Hanford Site is monitored to determine the status and condition of the populations and to assess effects of Hanford Site operations. Particular attention is paid to species that are rare, threatened, or endangered nationally or statewide and those species that are of commercial, recreational, or aesthetic importance statewide or locally. These species include the bald eagle, chinook salmon, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer (Figure 16), Canada goose, several species of hawk, and other bird species. Fluctuations in wildlife and plant species on the Hanford Site appear to be a result of natural ecological factors and management of the Columbia River system.
Figure 16. Wildlife on the Hanford Site.
The Hanford Cultural Resources Laboratory was established by the DOE Richland Operations Office in 1987 as part of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Cultural resources on the Hanford Site are closely monitored, and projects are relocated to avoid sites in cases where there is a possibility of altering any properties that may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
It appears that erosive processes and human activities are the most significant factors affecting most sites and buildings. Wind erosion from off-road vehicle use and vandalism contribute significantly to the deterioration of sites inside and outside the Site boundary while alteration or demolition activities cause impacts to buildings and/or structures.
The community-operated environmental surveillance program was initiated in 1990 to increase the public's involvement in and awareness of Hanford's surveillance program. Eight teacher-operated air surveillance stations were operating in 1995.
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