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EPA, Navajo Nation convene fourth annual summit to address uranium contamination

Release Date: 11/07/2011
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, (415) 947-4149, [email protected]

FARMINGTON– Tomorrow through Thursday six federal agencies, the Navajo Nation, congressional staff, academia, state, and local government representatives, community members and nongovernment organizations are meeting to address uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation. The workshop is the fourth annual gathering to assess progress under a five-year plan to address uranium contamination, requested by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The plan is the first comprehensive strategy to address uranium-related contamination issues throughout the Navajo Nation, which spans three states and is roughly the size of West Virginia.

The annual workshop is an opportunity for federal agencies to meet with local stakeholders to discuss progress and strategize the next steps for cleanup. Federal agencies in attendance include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The conference is being held at the Best Western Inn & Suites, 700 Scott Avenue in Farmington and runs through Thursday November 10th. There is no charge to attend. Tomorrow morning kicks off the summit with a keynote address from Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly and EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld.

WHO: Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly
U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld

WHEN: Tuesday November 7 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Keynote address to begin promptly at 8:30)

WHERE: Best Western Inn & Suites, 700 Scott Avenue, Farmington, NM

RSVP: Please RSVP in advance with name, contact info (include email and phone) and media affiliation to Margot Perez-Sullivan at [email protected] to participate and discuss the best opportunities for coverage. If you are interested in conducting embargoed interviews in advance, please make that request as soon as possible.

Accredited members of the press: Interviews and Photos are available. For media who are unable to attend the event but would like to cover this important story, event photos and interviews will be made available. Please contact Margot Perez-Sullivan at [email protected] to provide the details of your request along with your media affiliation.

For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/region9/superfund/navajo-nation/