During World War II, the first ever nuclear bomb was tested. The detonation was at the Trinity Test Site in New Mexico. Further tests at the time were conducted at the Pacific Proving Grounds. Guam ended up with high radiation levels from the fallout. Information about the radiation levels was classified until 1990. They have never been compensated for the damage.
In 1950, Harry Truman designated a portion of the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range to be the next test site. The new site was called the Nevada Proving Grounds. In 1955, it was renamed to the Nevada Test Site. The Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1963, banning testing in the atmosphere, space, and under water. From 1945 to 1962, around 200 atmospheric bombs were tested.
At least 20,000 uranium miners have been compensated. Over 40,000 farm animals in fallout areas died in 1953. The Atomic Energy Commission blamed the deaths on poor range conditions. They strongly asserted that the fallout was not to blame. Eventually, in 1982 high levels of radiation were documented in sheep.
Tests were conducted when winds were expected to blow in the least populated direction. Utah was heavily affected by this decision. Atomic Energy Commission assured residents that "there is no danger." Much of Utah has never been compensated.
The US Government was sued by over 1,100 Plaintiffs in 1979 for the "failure to warn of exposure to known radiation hazards." The case was called Allen vs Government. A jury ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs, but the decision was reversed by Court of Appeals. The government will not allow itself to be sued over it's policies. In 1990, Congress approved the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) offering partial restitution as a federal grant program.
More than twice the amount of radiation fell on Mohave County compared to other parts of Arizona that are eligible. RECA does not cover a huge portion of Mohave County. The county is 190 miles South of the Nevada Test Site. The exclusion was an "administrative error" according to Paul Gosar.
Southern Clark County was very close to the Nevada Test Site. They have not been included for RECA compensation. Other downwind states such as Idaho, Montana, and Colorado have never been compensated. Over 2,000,000,000 in compensation has been awarded.
RECA coverage was broadened to more areas in 2000. It was originally set to expire in 2022. The act was continued as the RECA extension act. It's now valid until 2024.
