Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — The long-awaited effort to clean up toxic mine waste on the Navajo Nation’s Pinedale Chapter finally broke ground on Thursday, after decades of delays. Formerly operated by United Nuclear Corporation, the Northeast Church Rock uranium mine outside Gallup is a top cleanup priority due to its close proximity to surrounding communities and the EPA’s concerns about radiological exposure. Navajo Nation EPA Executive Director Stephen Etsitty said while this is a solution for now, it stops short of what the community wants, which is to remove the mine waste from the Navajo Nation altogether. New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney said he’s glad to see this day come, but getting here took longer than it should have. He said his department is ready to get the ball rolling on more partnerships with the EPA to clean up more abandoned mines.
