LAS VEGAS – Carrie Radomski had never been to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) despite living in Beatty, about 30 miles from Pahute Mesa, a historical underground testing area at the site.

   Radomski attended an open-house meeting about groundwater and watched videos of historical atmospheric tests. She even had friends that worked at NNSS during nuclear testing. But she had never seen the site herself.

   That changed on Feb. 25.  

   “Now I can say I’ve seen it,” she says. “It’s not just a picture. It’s not abstract anymore.” 

   For Radomski, NNSS is significant for more than its history. She is interested in how the public is protected from the effects of nuclear testing on the groundwater and wants to educate herself on NNSS groundwater flow as a Beatty resident. 

   After several educational briefings during a tour on groundwater characterization and sampling, Radomski says she has a better understanding of the program.

   “My perspective definitely changed. It was heartening to see the people involved in the monitoring and to understand the impact of what we’ve done in the past. The people that were out there did a great job of condensing information to bring it to an understandable level,” she said.

   At the first tour stop, the Mercury Core Library, Radomski appreciated learning about how wells are drilled at NNSS.

   “I do feel better about the information we received,” she says. “About the groundwater specifically in Beatty, I have a better understanding.”

   The tour stopped at an active drill site.

   “[We see] the drill site and then look across the way and see where the detonation was that we’re concerned about monitoring,” she says. The detonation Radomski referred to was named Wagtail and occurred in 1965.

   At Yucca Flat, water from recent rain collected in the basin, creating a shallow pool. The water showed the reflection of the mountains and cloudless sky. The group spotted antelope grazing in the brush. It was the ideal spot to learn about the geology and hydrogeology of Yucca Flat.

   By the tour’s end, Radomski wanted more information on the geology at NNSS, the groundwater program, and radiation in general.

   “You get enough information to kick the brain into gear and then you keep wanting more,” she said.  

   Radomski left NNSS feeling grateful for the opportunity to see a place with so much historical value.

   “It’s a great thing to make it available,” she says. “It’s something that everybody here should see.”