The Cane Valley Navajo Radioactive Structures Site is located within the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, straddling the Arizona and Utah state line. Structures in three other regional areas (Cove, Red Valley, Teec Nos Pos and Tuba City) have also been identified for separate removal actions.
The Site consists of 13 structures and 3 yards situated on 12 residential properties known as “homesites.” Four of the 13 structures are currently occupied. In winter 2007-2008, U.S. EPA and Navajo Nation EPA, assessed 56 homesites including 113 structures. Overall, 27 structures and 12 yards require response actions. These efforts have all been conducted in partial fulfillment of the Agency’s commitment under the multi-agency Health and Environmental Impacts of Uranium Contamination Five-year Plan.
Persons occupying contaminated structures are at risk of exposures to external gamma and alpha ionizing radiation by way of radon, radium-226 and uranium contamination. Exposures to alpha ionizing radiation due to the presence of radium-226 and radon, pose an increased risk of toxic effects including cancer.
- ERRS completed demolition of HS-008-B (occupied house).
- START collected waste profile samples at HS-0018 to help determine and arrange final disposition of apparent mill tailings wastes. ERRS placed fencing around the area to prevent accidental exposures.
- ERRS demobilized all equipment and personnel from the Site during the reporting period.
- START and PST continued to conduct air sampling and radiological scanning for debris management and excavation delineation and cleanup confirmation.
- STARt and PST also demobilzed all personnel and equipment from the Site during the reporting period.
EPA will likely write a separate action memo and will remobilize to complete removal of contaminated soils and apparent mine wastes/mill tailings at HS-0018.
No further removal actions are planned at the other homesites or structures in the Cane Valley region at this time.
During the winter months, EPA and NNEPA will reach compensation agreements with all of the residents whose homes were demolished. EPA will rebuild the remainder of the structures in the Spring of 2008.
- Occupants of structures HS-0018-A and HS-0008-B will stay in a nearby hotel until rebuilding is completed.
- Occupants of HS-0025 will stay in an on-site trailer until rebuilding is completed
|
