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Nuclear strategy trumps environment, some senators say

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Some U.S. senators said the Defense Department needs to back off plans to conduct an environmental review on possible missile-silo eliminations.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., a member of a bipartisan coalition on intercontinental ballistic missiles, called on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to scrap plans for an impact study on the possible elimination of ICBM silos.

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Hoeven and the other senators said in a letter they want to know how many ICBMs the Defense Department wants before it conducts any study on eliminating silos.

"Our letter makes it clear that environmental studies should not dictate our nuclear force posture," he said in a statement Thursday.

Hoeven and the five members of the ICBM committee said the White House should consult with lawmakers before making any decisions on a strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia.

Most ICBMs are located in western U.S. states.

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