Amchitka Island (am-CHIT-kuh), 40 mi/64 km long, off W Alaska; one of the Aleutian Isls. It was selected in 1967 by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) as the site for underground tests of nuclear weapons, thus arousing much criticism, especially from environmental groups. The AEC financed the transplanting of much of the isl.’s animal life. In 1971 the use of Amchitka for the detonation of atomic devices without specific presidential approval was banned. Later that year, the first test was made, sanctioned by then President Richard Nixon.
