The Navajo Nation has passed emergency legislation to strengthen a tribal law regulating the transportation of radioactive material across their reservation, in response to uranium mining operations near the Grand Canyon. The legislation requires more notification of shipments of uranium ore, payment of transport fees, and emergency preparedness plans. The tribe previously banned uranium mining in 2005 due to the harmful impacts of contamination, illness, and death left behind by past extraction.
Despite the ban on mining, the tribe did not prohibit the transportation of uranium across Navajo lands in 2012. Instead, they adopted regulations to protect human health and the environment, including notification and financial assurance requirements. Recent discussions with Energy Fuels Inc., the company operating the Pinyon Plain Mine, aim to ensure responsible transport of the ore. Navajo leaders are pushing for earlier notification of shipments to uphold the protection, health, and safety of the Navajo Nation and its resources.
Navajo Attorney General Ethel Branch emphasized the need for stronger response to ensure the community is not burdened with radiation and uranium-based waste. She mentioned the ongoing legacy of uranium mining in the region with remediation work still pending. Energy Fuels expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with the Navajo Nation that aligns with the amended tribal law. The company aims to reassure Navajo leadership and citizens that uranium ore transport poses no risk to human health or the environment.
The Navajo law references U.S. regulations governing the transportation of radioactive materials, with specific precautions for different types of materials. Uranium ore falls into a separate category, with precautions like sealed trucks to limit dust and water. Inspections of trucks are allowed under the law, and shipments during tribal fairs along the designated route are prohibited. The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to issue compliance orders and penalties for companies violating the rules.
In the case of a violation, the Navajo attorney general could seek a temporary restraining order or injunction through tribal court. The legislation aims to ensure that uranium transport is done safely and responsibly, with measures in place to address any breaches. Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation are working towards an agreement that meets the standards set by the tribe’s laws and regulations. The goal is to protect the health and safety of the Navajo people and prevent further contamination of the environment.
