Moving dirt
EPA to restart consultation on Northeast Churchrock cleanup

Earth moving equipment move soil from an unnamed arroyo at United Nuclear Corporation's old mine site north of Churchrock on Thursday morning. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Brian Leddy

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

CHURCHROCK — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to restart consultation with the Navajo Nation on the proposed cleanup alternative for Northeast Churchrock Mine following opposition from the public and the tribe.

EPA contractors have begun interim cleanup of an estimated 100,000 cubic yards of radium-226 contaminated soils around Red Water Pond Road residences. However, the federal agency wants to consult with the Navajo Nation president about the nearly 900,000 cubic yards to be removed once a cleanup option is chosen. Radium is associated with bone, liver, and breast cancers.

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