The Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Office collection (1958-2001) was assembled through a joint effort between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the James R. Dickinson Library, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to provide public access to documentation and correspondence about the proposed high-level radioactive waste geologic repository site near Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Materials include technical reports, contractor reports, public hearing transcripts, safety evaluation reports, environmental impact statements, emergency plans, inspection reports, licensee event reports, and general communications. The collection includes documents from several other government entities such as the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Office, Department of Energy, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM), Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations (NNWSI), United States Geological Survey (USGS), Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The Edward Halligan Papers (1962-1966) contain instructions and booklets on atomic testing, newspaper clippings, and newsletters. There is information on the underground detonations of "Project Long Shot," and "Project Rover" that took place at the Nevada Test Site. Also included is a speech, given by Halligan, titled "Technical Operations on Project Long Shot."
The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter Records (1951 to 2021) are composed of files from Sierra Club officers and environmental activists in the Southern Nevada (formerly Las Vegas) Group of the Toiyabe Chapter. The collection documents the involvement of the Southern Nevada group in a variety of environmental concerns, such as air quality, transportation, urbanization, and nuclear issues, in which the chapter has expressed interest. The records are comprised of correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes and agendas, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, press releases, legislation, recommendations, resolutions, and general information. Due to the group’s location in the heart of the Mojave Desert, the collection provides excellent case studies of significant changes in the post-World War II American environmental movement, notably the increased recognition of the worth of desert lands.
The Corbin Harney Nevada Test Site Protest Photograph Albums (1995-1997) are comprised of three photograph albums documenting the life and spiritual, environmental, and political activism work of Corbin Harney, elder and spiritual leader of the Newe ("the People") Western Shoshoni Indians. The majority of the photographs are focused on the anti-nuclear protest demonstrations by the Shundahai Network at the Nevada Test Site during the 1990s.
The George Knox Roth Collection (1959-1980) consists of newspaper clippings (including photocopies), magazine articles, newsletters, technical reports and publications, correspondence, notes, and photographs relating to the Atomic Energy Commission, the environmental impact of nuclear testing in Nevada, Nevada mining, Airwest and the Hughes Airport, and other aspects of Howard Hughes’ Nevada operations. The George Knox Roth Collection also includes correspondence and expense reports related to his own company, General Research Consultants.
Oral history interview with Maurine Swarts conducted by Teresa McGhie on May 01, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Swarts discusses her personal history and Southern Nevada history. Swarts discusses the crash of Carole Lombard's plane, above ground nuclear tests, and her recreational interests. Swarts also describes how Las Vegas, Nevada has changed.
Oral history interview with Loretta K. Wait conducted by Brian Nicoll on March 10, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wait discusses her personal history and the life of her father, Oscar G. Logan. Wait begins by describing her father's move to Nevada after serving in the military in the early twentieth century, Logan meeting his wife in Tonopah, Nevada, and how he worked at the ammunition storage depot in Hawthorne, Nevada as a carpenter. She then describes his eventual move to Las Vegas, Nevada and his carpentry work on the Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Wait continues, listing her father's business partnerships and other construction projects he was involved in. She concludes by talking about life in Las Vegas, her education, working at the Nevada Test Site, and observing an unidentified flying object.
Oral history interview with Verilee Shelbourne conducted by Mark Simons on March 07, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Shelbourne discusses her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shelbourne discusses prominent figures who have visited Las Vegas, her personal and political involvements, and nuclear weapons tests. Shelbourne also discusses how Las Vegas has changed.
Oral history interview with Melville Smith conducted by Karl Kuopus on February 17, 1977 and February 23, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Smith describes his career working for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in the Planning and Development Department. Smith discusses city planning, how Las Vegas has changed, and housing in the city. Smith also talks about nuclear weapons tests, his children, and why he moved to Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Earl R. Sorom conducted by his son, Earl M. Sorom, on March 06, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Sorom discusses his personal history and Las Vegas, Nevada. Sorom describes his life before moving to Nevada to work at the Nevada Test Site, and later working there as a contractor for Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc. (REECO). Sorom discusses his career in radiological health, nuclear tests that he was involved with, and radioactive decontamination of the Test Site. Sorom goes on to discuss his interest in gardening, his travels, and how Las Vegas has changed.