&EPA INFORMATION SHEET U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Region 9 • San Francisco, CA • March 2016: Volume I Objectives and Strategies for Amending the 2014-2018 Five Year Plan to Address Impacts of Uranium Contamination from Tronox Navajo Area Uranium Mines INTRODUCTION On January 21, 2015, the Tronox settle- ment agreement resolving fraudulent conveyance claims against Kerr-McGee Corporation and related subsidiaries of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation went into effect. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Anadarko paid $5.15 billion plus interest to the litigation trust on January 23, 2015, of which, U.S. EPA received approximately $1 billion to fund cleanups at over 50 abandoned uranium mines in and around the Navajo Nation. In addition, Navajo Nation received directly approximately $45 million from the settlement, http://www2.epa.gov/ enforcement/case-summarv-tronox- incorporated-bankruptcv-settlement PURPOSE In January 2013, EPA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, the Indian Health Service, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, in consultation with the Navajo Nation, completed a five-year effort to address uranium contamination in the Navajo Nation. The effort focused on the most imminent risks to people living on the Navajo Nation. While the last five years represent a significant start in addressing the legacy of uranium mining, much work remains and the same federal agencies have collaborated to issue a second Five Year Plan http://www3.epa.gov/region9/superfund/navajo-nation/ pdf/nn-five-vear-plan-2014.pdf. The purpose of the second Five-Year Plan is to build on the work of the first plan, make adjustments based on information gained during this period, and plan the next steps in addressing the most significant risks to human health and the environ- ment. As a result of the Tronox/Kerr McGee settlement, the second Five-Year Plan (2014-2018) is being amended to address impacts of uranium contamination from Tronox Navajo Area Uranium Mines. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the 2014-2018 Five-Year Plan Tronox addendum are designed to comprehensively assess and cleanup, contamination related to Tronox legacy uranium mining and milling activities on and impacting the Navajo Nation. The objectives are: Objective 1: Assess Water Supply Sources for Contamination in the Cove Watershed and San Mateo Creek Basin The goal is to assess water supply sources and build conceptual site models by 2018 that can be used as a tool to under- stand impacts of legacy uranium mining and milling in the soils and groundwater systems and to identify the current and potential future risks to human health. ------- Objective 2: Assess and Cleanup Tronox Uranium Mine Sites During the next five years, the EPA will conduct a series of assessments and engineering evaluation/cost analyses at uranium mine sites for the purpose of obtaining necessary information to develop an appropri- ate number of investigations which will be become the basis for any subsequent actions that may be necessary to reduce the threats to human health and the environment posed by these 49 mine sites. Objective 3: Assess and Cleanup of Quivira North- east Churchrock Legacy Uranium Mine Sites During the next five years, the EPA will complete the assessments and engineering evaluation/cost analy- ses at the two Quivira Northeast Churckrock uranium mine sites. EPA will release the engineering evaluation/ cost analysis for public comment and hold public meetings for the purpose of getting community input prior to selecting a final action to reduce the threats to human health and the envi- ronment posed by these mine sites. Objective 4: Communicate and Coordinate with Com- munities The goal for the 2015 Five-Year Plan partners is to provide clear and under- standable information about ongoing and planned actions and activities in the Grants Mining District. This will be accomplished through enhanced coordination amongst the partners to provide clear and understandable information that the community members request, want, and/or need. Objective 5: Provide Job Opportunities and Work Force Development throughout the Navajo Communities The implementation of the Tronox/ Kerr McGee settlement at various sites has identified the need for addi- tional resources and attention to job training and workforce development for Navajo businesses and commu- nity members. The goal is to provide opportunity and development to Navajo businesses and community members through Grants, Contracts, and Interagency Agreements. 1:^7. J| Cameroijl^ _ Ho pi Reservation "V' IV. . mWd i *«s.. J* Shtproclc .»• V Window Rock Gallup-- *v « * V*.» JT- Or.,,.,1 ToTiajHtee A T^Ab-nd^u^Min. Tronox Mines on or Affecting • Abandoned Uranium Mine NaVajO Nation Lands Navajo Nation Boundary o 2S 50 TOO Miles Region 9 OI6 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: USEPA Region 9 Linda Reeves 75 Hawthorne St., SFD-6-2 San Francisco, CA 94105 reeves.linda@epa.gov (415) 972-3445 USEPA Region 9 Chip Poalinelli 75 'Hawthorn! St., SFD-6-2 San Francisco, CA 94105 poalinelli.edwin@epa.gov (415) 972-3390 ------- |