Officials hold plaques representing the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project’s progress moving waste to a permanent disposal cell.
Officials hold plaques representing the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project’s progress moving waste to a permanent disposal cell.

MOAB, UtahEM Senior Advisor Ike White underscored the importance of the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project cleanup to the surrounding community and the overall EM mission at an event last week to celebrate a milestone of shipping 10 million tons of tailings to a disposal cell near Crescent Junction, Utah.

“This part of Utah is unique,” White remarked to an audience of about 75 people gathered for the event. “The importance of cleanup to this site and to the community is undeniable.”

White thanked local and state government partners during the community celebration at Lions Park in Moab. He said the work that crews complete every day at the former uranium ore processing facility adds up to meaningful progress towards cleanup completion. An estimated 6 million tons of waste remain at the Moab Site for disposal.

“Without the team’s dedication to the mission over the past 10 years, this project would not be where it is today. So, I want to thank you for your perseverance and your commitment to seeing this project through,” White said.

U.S. Rep. John Curtis of Utah was among the speakers at an event celebrating the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project milestone of shipping 10 million tons of tailings from the Moab Site to a disposal cell near Crescent Junction, Utah.
U.S. Rep. John Curtis of Utah was among the speakers at an event celebrating the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project milestone of shipping 10 million tons of tailings from the Moab Site to a disposal cell near Crescent Junction, Utah.
Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project Federal Cleanup Director Russell McCallister talks about the project’s accomplishments and thanks stakeholders for their contributions over the years.
Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project Federal Cleanup Director Russell McCallister talks about the project’s accomplishments and thanks stakeholders for their contributions over the years.

EM began work in 2009 to relocate mill tailings from the Moab Site adjacent to the Colorado River to the newly created disposal cell about 30 miles away. Each week, four trainloads of tailings make the trek between the two sites.

Moab UMTRA Project Federal Cleanup Director Russell McCallister noted the strong ties between the EM project and the community.

“I think our team has a true dedication to the cleanup work and especially to this community,” McCallister said. “A lot of our workforce is from this community, have been here a long time, they believe in the project, and that shows.”

Other speakers at the event included U.S. Rep. John Curtis of Utah, Grand County Moab Tailings Project Steering Committee Chair Mary McGann, and Greg Church, project manager with North Wind Portage, the Moab UMTRA Project’s remedial action contractor.

“I’m so proud of the Department of Energy, of everybody that’s been involved in this, with this commitment to make this right, to make this a beautiful place, a place we’re proud of,” Curtis said.