Reporters will have the opportunity to ask questions about the findings of a report on water seepage from the proposed Black Rock reservoir and how that might affect the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The report was prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Yakima River Water Storage Feasibility Study.

The report will be posted online this morning at: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/storage_study/index.html.

A moderated teleconference is set to begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. (PDT) today, Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The media availability is jointly hosted by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Washington Department of Ecology. The teleconference is intended for members of the working news media.

To participate:

1) Call (360) 357-2903 2) Enter PIN number 17738# (the pound sign)

Due to the limited number of available call-in lines, reporters are advised to dial in a few minutes early and to identify themselves to the moderator.

Media within the local commute area may attend in person at Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Construction Office, 3701 River Road, Yakima WA 98902.

Location description: 40th and Highway 12 behind Bi-Mart.

Television crews and others with special recording equipment are advised to arrive early to ensure set up does not interfere with the schedule.

Panel members include: Kim McCartney, Yakima Storage Study Manager, Bureau of Reclamation Jerry Kelso, Upper Columbia Area Office Manager, Bureau of Reclamation Jane Hedges, Nuclear Waste Program Manager, Washington Department of Ecology Derek Sandison, Central Region Director, Washington Department of Ecology