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Letter From US EPA - November 1, 2000
Letter fomr US EPA - September 5, 2000
Letter From US EPA - November 14, 2000
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United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
November 1, 2000
Jeff Spitz
1940 West Irving Park Road
Suite 201
Chicago, IL 60613
Dear Mr. Spitz:
Thank you for contacting us regarding the radiation levels measured on Elsie Begay's hogan in Monument Valley. I am sending this letter to provide you with the current information on the investigation and cleanup of uranium mine tailings on the Begay's homesite. Also, in an effort to provide context to the situation, I have provided some background information on the overall project.
The investigation and cleanup of Ms. Begay's hogan is part of a larger project that we refer to as the Navajo Abandon Uranium Mines ("Navajo AUM") project. The project was initiated in response to a joint congressional committee hearing held on November 4, 1993 on "Uranium Waste on the Navajo Reservation." where the Navajo Nation presented testimony on the abandoned uranium mines and requested assistance in determining if the old mines pose a health risk to residents. Given the size of the Navajo Nation and the widespread extent of uranium mining, responding to that request has proven to be very challenging. Thus far, we have performed field investigations in 33 Navajo Chapters, which have entailed aerial radiation surveys, sampling of various types of water sources and home surveys, such as the survey we conducted on Ms. Begay's property.
The field investigations to date have mainly entailed water sampling. As part of our effort to asses whether water sources were impacted, over 200 water sources were sampled and those results were sent to NNEPA, Navajo Abandoned Mine Lands, Navajo Water Resources, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and to various Chapter officials. Presently, we are working closely with NNEPA as well as other Navajo and federal agencies to develop and implement follow-up actions. In addition, U.S. EPA and NNEPA will continue to work with local and federal health agencies, such as the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and Indian Health Service, to ensure that Ms. Begay and other affected community members receive information and guidance on potential health effects related to radiation exposure.
Ms. Begay's property was one of several homes that we investigated upon request. It was one of two properties where we detected elevated radiation levels near a residence. Thus, upon completing the investigation of Ms. Begay's property in January 2000, we shared the sampling results with her and NNEPA and noted that we detected levels of concern. Since then, U.S. EPA in coordination with NNEPA, offered to remove the contaminated hogan. On November 6 and 7, U.S. EPA and NNEPA will be meeting with Ms. Begay to develop a cleanup and restoration plan. We also plan to resurvey the second property, currently only used for storage, during this visit. At this time, we are unable to provide an exact date for conducting the cleanup, but we are committed to taking this action as soon as possible.
In closing, please note that we appreciate your contacting us directly as well as your efforts to assist Ms. Begay and her family. Hopefully this letter will provide you with some comfort that the U.S. EPA and NNEPA will be acting as quickly as possible to address the high radiation levels measured on Ms. Begay's property as well as to assist other community members who are potentially exposed to unacceptable radiation levels.
By the way, several of our staff had the opportunity to see your excellent and moving documentary, "The Return of Navajo Boy" at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Congratulations on the film.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to call me at (415) 744-2384
Sincerely,
Sean P. Hogan,
Chief, Private Site/DOE Section
cc: Derrith Watchman Moore, NNEPA
Arlene Luther, NNEPA
Daniel Meer, US EPA Region 9
Laura Yoshi, US EPA Region 9
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Elsie's situation is not unique in the Southwest. There are many Native and non-Native families who live near abandoned uranium mines. They are not covered by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act which currently includes the following individuals....uranium miners, millers, transporters, on-site atomic test observers, downwind communities (including Monument Valley, Utah)
If you would like information about current organizing efforts focusing on the health concerns of families living near abandoned uranium mines, email your comments or questions to this site.
If you would like to make a contribution to Elsie and her family, please make your check payable to her and send it to her directly at the address below. THANK YOU.
Elsie Mae Begay
PO Box 360080
Monument Valley, UT 84536
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Articles regarding the issue
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New Federal Radiation Policy
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