Rep. Waxman statement on settlement for cleanup of abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation

Shared unedited here:

WASHINGTON, DC— Today Ranking Member Waxman released the following statement in response to the settlement announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice to secure $1 billion to cleanup abandoned uranium mines on the Navajo Nation:

“The pervasive uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation is an American tragedy.  Over the last five years, the federal government has started to address this shameful legacy.  The $1 billion now available for cleaning up abandoned uranium mines is a major step forward that will dramatically accelerate these efforts.  This is a huge win for public health and the environment.”

In October 2007, Rep. Waxman held an Oversight and Government Reform hearing to examine the adverse health and environmental impacts affecting the Navajo people of decades of uranium mining and milling around the reservation.  Following that hearing, at Rep. Waxman’s request, five federal agencies developed and implemented a five-year plan to begin addressing the uranium contamination.  The agencies, in cooperation with the Navajo Nation, are currently developing a new five-year plan to continue the environmental remediation and public health efforts.