Moab, Utah
Representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE), the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation toured two Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) project sites: the cleanup area near the Colorado River in Moab and the disposal site at Crescent Junction.
At the Moab site, visitors saw work underway to remove contamination from the former uranium mill. At Crescent Junction, they viewed the disposal cell where waste is stored safely.
The project recently reached a major milestone. Crews removed the 16-million-ton tailings pile after 17 years of work.
Now, teams focus on cleaning the remaining contaminated soil and planning groundwater treatment. At Crescent Junction, crews continue building the disposal cell and adding a protective cover.
The tour helped prepare for the next phase. After cleanup, the sites will transfer from the DOE Office of Environmental Management to the Office of Legacy Management for long-term care.
The visit also strengthened partnerships with tribal nations. These groups have strong ties to the region and the Colorado River.
Project leaders said the tour showed progress and supported a smooth transition to long-term stewardship.