EPA Approves Plan to Transfer Uranium Mine Waste to Landfill Near Thoreau

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a plan to move uranium mine waste near the Navajo Nation community of Churchrock to a landfill six miles east of the Village of Thoreau. The decision to transport over 1 million cubic yards of waste comes after years of debate and concerns about the health and environmental impacts on surrounding communities. The Red Rock Landfill will now be the new home for the low-level radioactive material, with the potential for a uranium disposal cell on the property. While some communities are excited to see the waste removed, others, like those in Thoreau, are concerned about the potential impacts. The landfill owner must now apply for necessary permits to ensure the disposal will not harm groundwater, air, or soil. The EPA’s decision follows negotiations with the Navajo Nation, and the agency continues to work on solutions to address uranium mine waste on the reservation. While the compromise solution may not be ideal for all parties involved, it is seen as a step in the right direction to protect people from harmful exposure to radioactive materials. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed gratitude for the EPA’s attention to the long-ignored issue of uranium contamination on tribal lands.

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