EPA Lists Cibola County Mine Site to Superfund National Priorities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added the Jackpile-Paguate Uranium Mine in Cibola County, New Mexico, to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). This designation helps ensure federal resources will go toward assessing and cleaning up the contamination at the site.
Located on the Laguna Pueblo, the abandoned mine has long been a concern for the community. The listing allows the EPA to investigate, plan, and carry out long-term cleanup while working closely with local residents, tribal leaders, and other agencies.
History of Contamination
The Jackpile-Paguate mine produced uranium for decades, starting in the 1950s and continuing until operations stopped in 1982. As a result, large areas of disturbed land remain contaminated with radioactive materials and heavy metals. These pollutants pose risks to soil, water, and air quality.
Moreover, the mine’s proximity to the Rio Paguate and local communities raises concerns about potential exposure. Erosion, wind-blown dust, and water runoff can spread contamination beyond the mine site, threatening human health and the environment.
EPA Lists Site: Supporting the Laguna Pueblo Community
The EPA emphasizes working in partnership with the Pueblo of Laguna throughout the cleanup process. Tribal leaders and residents have long advocated for federal action to address the contamination and protect their land and people.
With the Superfund listing, the site becomes eligible for federal funding and resources dedicated to assessing hazards, planning remediation, and reducing exposure. The goal is to ensure a thorough, science-based cleanup that considers the community’s input and priorities.
The Importance of Superfund Designation
Being added to the National Priorities List is a critical step for contaminated sites like Jackpile-Paguate. The NPL is the EPA’s list of the most hazardous sites in the country requiring long-term remediation. Sites on this list receive priority for federal funding and attention.
This designation is especially important in rural and Indigenous American areas that may lack the resources to address contamination alone. By securing a place on the list, the EPA commits to protecting human health and restoring affected environments over the long term.
Sources
Nine hazardous waste sites added, eight proposed nationally (DALLAS – December 11, 2013)
