The Historic Superfund Listing of the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District

Authors

Nadine Padilla, University of New Mexico - School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 2025

Abstract

President Biden’s 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included, among its many provisions, a historic investment of $3.5 billion to be allocated toward cleanups under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. This investment will help in addressing the problem of legacy pollution that impacts communities across the country. Approximately $1 billion will go towards clearing the backlog of 49 previously unfunded Superfund sites and will accelerate cleanup at over 85 current Superfund sites. Remaining funds will go towards launching cleanup efforts at 25 new Superfund sites. In a development that aligns with these broader cleanup initiatives, a significant milestone was reached in March 2024 when the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District on the Navajo reservation was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). The Lukachukai Mining District became the first abandoned uranium mine site located on the Navajo reservation to be listed on the NPL by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Lukachukai NPL listing is a victory for impacted Navajo communities who, for decades, have advocated for cleanup of the 523 abandoned uranium mines on the reservation. While some progress has been made in identifying responsible parties and negotiating settlements to pay for cleanup, approximately half of the sites remain abandoned.

Publication Title

Natural Resources & Environment

Volume

39

Issue

3

First Page

32

Last Page

36

Keywords

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Superfund, Lukachukai Mountains Mining District, Navajo Nation, Navajo reservation, National Priorities List (NPL), uranium mining

Recommended Citation

Nadine Padilla, The Historic Superfund Listing of the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District, 39 Natural Resources & Environment 32 (2025).
Available at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/law_facultyscholarship/957