The United States and the Navajo Nation entered into legal agreements (Phase 1 Settlement and the Phase 2 Settlement) that provide funds to investigate and cleanup 16 of the 46 “priority mines," investigate an additional 30 mines, and conduct two water studies at mines located on the Navajo Nation.

Background

EPA and Navajo Nation EPA are evaluating whether there are chemical or radiological hazards that may pose a threat to community members or the environment at the 46 mines covered under both Settlement Agreements. The Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program performed activities to address physical hazards at most of the mine sites in the 1990s. The Trust Settlement work is being conducted in phases and there are multiple Trustees administering the funds and performing the work under the oversight of EPA and Navajo Nation EPA. All mines included in the Trust Settlement Agreements are “Orphan Mines” (no potentially responsible party).

The Phase 1 Trustee, Sadie Hoskie, conducted investigations at the 16 priority mines covered under the first Settlement Agreement. These mines are located across all six of the AUM regions. The second Settlement Agreement provides the funding to conduct investigations at 30 mines, 13 of these mines are located in the Cameron area and the remaining mines will be identified in the future. It also provides the funding for a water study at the Claim 28 mine in Tachee-Blue Gap and another water study at a location that will be identified in the future. Lastly, the second Settlement Agreement provides the funding for the cleanup, as needed, of the 16 priority mines assessed under the Phase 1 Settlement. The Phase 2 RSE Trustee is Derrith Watchman-Moore.

The Phase 1 Trust

• Completed biological and cultural resource surveys
• Conducted radiation surveys, soil, and water samples
• Completed investigation field work at all 16 mines
• Complete investigation reports (Removal Site Evaluations)

The Phase 2 Removal Site Evaluation (RSE) Trust

The Phase 2 RSE Trustee, Ms. Watchman-Moore, began work in 2018 in the Western AUM region, conducting investigations at 13 abandoned uranium mines, and in Tachee-Blue Gap, conducting a water study at the Claim 28 mine in the Central AUM region. Ms. Watchman-Moore will conduct 17 additional mine investigations, one additional water study, and begin the cleanup process, as needed at the 16 priority mines assessed under the Phase 1 Trust.

Community Involvement

Community members have an opportunity to become involved in the cleanup activities and help shape cleanup decisions. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 Trustee and their team of experts meet regularly, in coordination with EPA and NNEPA, with chapter officials, residents and community members regarding the mines located in all the abandoned uranium mine region.

Cleanup Progress Timeline

The 46 mines and two water studies that are included in the Trust Agreements are located across all six AUM Regions. The Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program performed activities to address physical hazards at most of the mine sites in the 1990s.

1990's

• The Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program performs reclamation activities to address physical hazards at most of the mine sites.

2008

• From 2008-2012, EPA conducts initial screening of radiation levels on all mines, and prioritizes 46 mines for detailed investigations, including the 16 mines assessed by the Phase 1 Trustee.

2015

• The Trust as part of the Phase 1 Settlement is established, including funding for investigations at 16 priority mines.
• Phase 1 Trustee, Sadie Hoskie, meets with Chapter officials and community members, and begins to conduct investigations at the 16 mines.

2016

• The Phase 2 Settlement is established and provides funds for any necessary cleanup at 16 of the priority mines, plus assessments at 30 additional mines, and two water studies at mines on Navajo Nation.

2017

• Phase 1 Trustee, Sadie Hoskie, continues to conduct investigations of mines with the Navajo Nation EPA and EPA oversight.
• Phase 2 RSE Trustee, Derrith Watchman-Moore, is named. Ms. Watchman-Moore will conduct assessments at 30 additional mines and conduct two water studies with Navajo Nation EPA and EPA oversight.

2018

• Phase 1 Trustee Sadie Hoskie completes investigations at all 16 mines in the Phase 1 Settlement.
• Phase 2 RSE Trustee Derrith Watchman-Moore begins investigations at 13 mines located in the Western Agency.

The Phase I Trust Settlement Trustee, Sadie Hoskie, participates in the Monument Valley open house in April 2016.

 

 

 

Sadie Hoskie

Site Photographs

Photographs related to the abandoned uranium mine cleanup work near Trust Mines.