Documents / Official release
This Clinton Presidential Library file from the National Security Council holds Presidential Determination No. 97-35, dated September 26, 1997. It renews the exemption for the Air Force's operating location near Groom Lake, Nevada, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The file also contains memoranda from Samuel Berger, James Baker, the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Air Force Secretary Sheila Widnall. They describe the Kasza v. Browner litigation and say the exemption shields classified information from disclosure but leaves environmental standards in force.
“The Pentagon”3 pages
September 24, 1997 ACTION MEMORANDUM FOR SAMUEL R. BERGER THROUGH: ALAN KRECZKO FROM: JAMES E. BAKER SUBJECT: Concurrence by: RECOMMENDATION That you sign the attached memorandum to the President. Attachments Tab I Tab A Tab B NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON, D C. 20504 Continuation of RCRA Exemption for Operating Location Near Groom Lake Subsequent to receiving concurrence on the attached memorandum to the President, we have added a paragraph noting that execution of this determination does not prejudge our review of the health record and current conditions at the location and that you will report back to the President after General Kerrick's trip. Memorandum for the President Presidential Determination Incoming Correspondence from the Deputy Secretary of Defense The President has twice exempted the "Operating Location near Groom Lake" from the public disclosure requirements of the Resource Conversation Recovery Act in order to protect national security information. By statute, the exemption is effective for one year. 6404 Redo -■'p With the concurrence of EPA and Justice, the Deputy Secretary of Defense is recommending that the President renew the exemption. Katie McGinty concurs as well. As with last year's exemption, the continuation expressly notes that it is not intended to limit the applicability or enforcement of any requirement of law applicable to the facility except those concerning the disclosure of classified information. To ensure continued protection of classified information the President should sign the attached exemption by September 27. Bob Bell and David Sandalow
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Official release, from the nara collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 24 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.