EPA, federal, state, Navajo Nation hold second summit to address uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation

Release date: 11/03/2009

Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415.947.4149 Perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov

GALLUP– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with four other federal agencies, the Navajo Nation, congressional staff, academia, state, tribal and local government representatives, community members and nongovernment organizations are meeting to discuss the progress of the five-year plan to address uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation. The five-year plan, requested by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is the first comprehensive strategy to address uranium-related contamination issues throughout the Navajo Nation, which spans three states and is roughly the size of West Virginia.

The conference is being held at the Gallup Inn 2915 W. Historic Highway 66 in New Mexico, and runs through Thursday, November 8. Members of the media are welcome to attend. To receive a copy of the agenda and to RSVP, please contact Margot Perez-Sullivan, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov or 415.990.1176.

For more information on abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/sfund/navajo-nation/index.html