Between 1957 and 1973, the Plowshare Program evaluated "peaceful uses" of nuclear devices such as harbor and dam construction, and natural gas simulation. Many project sites were investigated, but only a few ever saw uses of radioactive materials. However, loss of institutional knowledge of project site in Alaska--Project Chariot--where small amounts of radionuclides were used for tracer experiments led to a costly cleanup in Alaska and a need to evaluate whether other risks--or perceived risks--existed at other Plowshare Project locations. DRI archeologists have compiled a record of Plowshare sites by visiting and photo-documenting them, and preserving project records. The results are an important risk management tool, and one of the most complete historic records of the program.

The Pre-Schooner II Test in southwest Idaho was a “scaling” experiment done with conventional explosives that preceded the Schooner plowshare nuclear test on the NNSS in 1968.