The Jackpile-Paguate Uranium Mine sits within Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico. It operated for roughly 30 years, from 1952 through February 1982. During that time, mining disturbed about 2,656 acres, moved approximately 400 million tons of rock, and transported around 25 million tons of uranium ore. The site includes three open pits, 32 waste dumps, and 23 protore stockpiles. Surface water contamination from hazardous chemicals led EPA to propose the site for its National Priorities List in March 2012, with formal listing in December 2013.
The main contaminant concern involves surface water. The investigation is also evaluating groundwater and soil. Exposure pathways under study include ingesting, inhaling, or making direct contact with contaminated materials. EPA does not yet have enough data to determine whether unacceptable human exposures exist or whether contaminated groundwater migration is stabilized. Physical cleanup construction has not started.
Atlantic Richfield Company is the responsible party and signed an Administrative Order of Consent with EPA in July 2017. That agreement covers sitewide investigation and cleanup planning. A Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study began in June 2016. A combined study for the main operational area was completed in July 2017, and EPA continued overseeing additional investigation work after that date. The Laguna Pueblo's environmental program works alongside federal agencies and private consultants on site issues. A site visit in August 2017 included EPA, Atlantic Richfield, and the Pueblo of Laguna Environmental and Natural Resources Department. The site has not yet reached remedy selection, construction completion, or deletion from the National Priorities List.
Monthly air particulate samples are being collected and composited. Air monitoring data are going through quality assurance review, and summary reports are expected to be submitted to EPA for approval. Community members can follow site characterization updates published monthly in the Town Crier Newspaper. For direct questions, EPA has a Community Involvement Coordinator and a Remedial Project Manager available by phone and email.
