Seabrook Evacuation Plan Approved, Fills 37 Volumes

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given final approval to New Hampshire emergency plans in the event of an accident at the Seabrook nuclear power plant, a state emergency management official said Wednesday.

The plan, which fills 37 volumes, spells out in detail the emergency procedures for each of the 17 New Hampshire towns within Seabrook’s emergency planning zone.

Six Massachusetts towns within the zone are covered by a separate emergency plan developed by utility officials because Massachusetts authorities refused to cooperate in emergency planning for Seabrook. They agreed with Seabrook opponents who claim that the area around the plant is too densely populated to be adequately protected by any emergency plan.

Under the New Hampshire plan, state and civilian agencies would be placed under the direct control of the governor.

“Should there ever be an emergency at Seabrook there are 18 state and two civilian agencies that gather to become the New Hampshire Response Team,” said state Office of Emergency Management spokesman John Gifford. “These agencies will use the facilities that we maintain to direct and control emergency operations for the health and safety of area residents.”

Gifford said the plan essentially calls for evacuation of the 17 towns by car and bus to reception centers at high schools in Manchester, Dover, Rochester and Salem.

He said that if there were a release of radioactivity, the agency had the option of recommending that people take shelter within their communities, “but in most cases the evacuation of those communities that might be affected” would be ordered.

The plan also includes agreements with area hospitals to maintain facilities and personnel trained to treat radiation injuries.

Each year, Seabrook officials distribute a calendar containing specific emergency instructions, including evacuation routes, for every household in the emergency planning zone. Similar emergency plans are required for every nuclear power plant in the United States.

The $6.6-billion Seabrook plant began permanent operations in August.