[scotje]

There are also a limited number of public site tours each year, focusing on the B Reactor. (The first full scale fission reactor in the world.)

http://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/

I've gone twice and it is really fascinating. You get to stand about twenty feet from the face of the reactor core, walk around the control room, etc. I have some pictures and video I can share if anyone is interested, although I'm sure some Googling can turn up lots of them as well.

One of my favorite anecdotes is that the valve covers for all the cooling pipes are open and have to remain that way so that the Russian inspectors can verify each year that there is no evidence that the reactor has been in operation. (Not sure if these inspections are actually still happening.)

Also for arms control purposes, there is an open pit elsewhere on the site where decommissioned US Navy reactors are stored. (Russia can monitor the number and position of them via satellite.)

[caf]

I would be interseted to hear which US/Russian treaty involved verification of plutonium production reactors or naval reactors. I'm not aware of any such.

(There are plans for a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, but discussion has on that has been indefinitely stalled in the Conference on Disarmament by Pakistan).

[scotje]

I had to do some Googling, but the PPRA treaty would appear to explain the valve cover inspections: http://dtirp.dtra.mil/tic/synopses/ppra.aspx

Still looking for what would apply to the Navy reactors.

[caf]

That's great to read, thanks! I imagine the experience earned on verifying the PPRA will be valuable when a verification mechanism for the FMCT is designed.

[scotje]

Well, I haven't found a specific treaty or agreement covering the Naval reactors. It may be a less formal arrangement, I don't know.

But a did find a nice picture of the reactor pit: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jYVl__lRp5s/Tfpf4Cyi6rI/AAAAAAAAA6...