Feds Plan No-Cost Transfer of Moab Uranium Site to Grand County Post-Cleanup

This legislation sets the stage for the Department of Energy (DOE) to hand over the Moab UMTRA project site—a former uranium mill tailings area—to Grand County, Utah. The transfer happens at no cost to the county, but only after the Secretary of Energy decides the cleanup efforts (known as remedial action) are good enough for the land to be conveyed safely, following consultation with regulators. The core idea is shifting long-term stewardship to the local level once the most significant remediation work under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 is deemed complete.

Passing the Keys (With Conditions)

Getting the land isn't quite as simple as just signing a deed. The bill specifies that the transfer must include any necessary restrictions to protect public health and safety, sticking to rules already in place under federal law (specifically, the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act and related regulations like 40 CFR Part 192). Think of it like getting a property with existing easements or zoning rules you have to follow. Furthermore, the DOE gets to keep hold of necessary water rights, particularly if groundwater cleanup is still ongoing, ensuring they can still access wells and manage any lingering contamination plumes as required by law. This acknowledges that even after surface cleanup, some long-term monitoring and potential action might be needed.

Local Control vs. Lasting Limits

Once Grand County takes ownership, there's a significant string attached: they are explicitly forbidden from selling or otherwise transferring any part of the site to a private company or non-profit organization. This keeps the land under public control. Additionally, the bill gives the Secretary of Energy the power to add other terms and conditions deemed necessary to protect the U.S. government's interests. For Grand County, this means potential new opportunities for public use—perhaps recreation or open space—but within a framework defined by ongoing safety needs, federal water rights retention, and a prohibition on privatization. The long-term success hinges on how 'sufficient' the initial cleanup determination proves to be and how effectively the county manages the site under the imposed restrictions.