GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to move radioactive waste from a former uranium mine on the Navajo Nation to a site outside of Gallup.
The EPA announced the proposal for cleanup of the Northeast Church Rock Mine late last week, which includes a no-action alternative.
The Gallup Independent (https://bit.ly/z0cIwR) reports that one million cubic yards of waste from the mine would be added to an existing waste pile at the United Nuclear Corp. Superfund site. UNC operated a uranium mill from 1977 to 1982 that processed ore from the Northeast Church Rock Mine.
The disposal is expected to cost $40 million and take four years to complete.
The Navajo Nation wanted the waste moved far from the reservation, but the EPA says that's cost prohibitive.
The public comment period closes Sept. 21.
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Information from: Gallup Independent, www.gallupindependent.com