The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Navajo Nation, has finalized a cleanup plan for the Quivira Mines site near Gallup, New Mexico. The initiative aims to address radionuclide and metal contamination by removing uranium mine waste rock from three areas of the site and transporting it to a new off-site repository at Red Rocks Landfill, east of Thoreau, New Mexico. This process is expected to commence in early 2025 and last between six to eight years.
"This decision will remove over 1 million cubic yards of waste that has haunted the Red Water Pond Road and Pipeline Road communities for too long," stated EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. "These cleanup efforts will pave the way for these two Diné communities to fully - and safely - utilize this land."
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren commented on the significance of this action: "This solution is a compromise that will get radioactive waste in this area off of the Navajo Nation as soon as possible. It’s not everything the three affected communities would wish for but it’s action in the right direction now rather than in the future. Most importantly, this will protect our people from harmful exposure."
The states of Arizona and New Mexico have also expressed their concerns about uranium pollution, urging federal intervention. The governors called for national attention and a comprehensive cleanup effort. The current plan addresses one of the largest high-risk uranium mine sites on Navajo land.
James Kenney, Secretary for the New Mexico Environment Department, praised the collaborative effort: "In partnership, federal, sovereign, and state governments can make a difference in the health outcomes for residents of the Navajo Nation and New Mexicans."
Cliff Villa, EPA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management, emphasized addressing longstanding issues: "For too long, Indigenous people of the Southwest have been disproportionately affected by the legacy of uranium mining... This cleanup... will permanently address the contamination at the Quivira Mines site."
The EPA has engaged with local communities over more than ten years to inform them about cleanup actions and gather input. The selected plan targets approximately 1 million cubic yards of waste across Church Rock-1 (CR-1), Church Rock-1 East (CR-1E), and Kerr McGee Ponds.
The State of New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) along with other agencies will review permit applications related to this project. If approved after public review, they will oversee construction and long-term environmental monitoring.
Mining activities at Quivira Mines began in the late 1960s under Kerr-McGee Corporation until operations ceased in 1986. The mines accounted for around 2-4% of historic uranium mining in New Mexico.
For further details on this initiative or to connect with EPA's Pacific Southwest Region online platforms like Facebook or Instagram, visit their official website.
