The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) is conducting a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Five-Year Review of the cleanup remedies implemented at the Monticello Mill Tailings Site (MMTS) and the Monticello Vicinity Properties (MVP) in and near Monticello, Utah.
The purpose of the Five-Year Review is to evaluate whether the remedies at MMTS and MVP remain protective of human health and the environment. This review is required because contamination remains at some locations above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure.
Implemented remedies to be reviewed include:
- Removal and relocation of approximately 2.5 million cubic yards of uranium mill tailings and radiologically contaminated soil and debris from the former mill site, adjacent properties, and vicinity properties to the permanent disposal cell located south of Monticello.
- Land use restrictions in conjunction with supplemental risk-based cleanup standards.
- Groundwater use restrictions to help ensure contamination left in place is not further dispersed and does not adversely affect human health or the environment.
- Treatment of one area of contaminated groundwater through a pump-and-evaporate system.
During the Five-Year Review process, DOE will:
- Review relevant documents, monitoring data, and inspection reports.
- Conduct site inspections.
- Interview local stakeholders.
- Prepare a Five-Year Review report for MMTS and a separate Five-Year Review report for MVP presenting the results of the review.
We want to hear from you! Community involvement is an important part of the Five-Year Review process. DOE values your input and invites feedback regarding site activities conducted over the past five years. Feedback may be submitted until July 20 to:
Public Affairs
DOE Office of Legacy Management
Public.Affairs@lm.doe.gov
(970) 248-6070
Previous MMTS and MVP Five-Year Review reports are available on the DOE Office of Legacy Management Monticello website. DOE will also post the 2027 Five-Year Review reports to the website when they are finalized.
Information about the CERCLA Five-Year Review process is available on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
Sincerely,
Alison Kuhlman
Monticello Site Manager
DOE Office of Legacy Management
Alison.Kuhlman@lm.doe.gov
(970) 248-6265