Moab Cleanup Site Handed to Grand County, Utah—But the Land Comes with Permanent Restrictions

The aptly named Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025 is all about passing the torch—specifically, transferring ownership of the massive Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) site from the federal government to Grand County, Utah.

This bill sets up the final steps for the U.S. government to exit the property management business in Moab once the Secretary of Energy determines that the environmental cleanup is “good enough” for transfer. This decision has to be made in consultation with regulatory agencies, and once that sign-off happens, the land goes to Grand County for free. It also includes some administrative housekeeping, striking out outdated language from a 1999 law to make the transfer process cleaner.

The Cleanup Hand-Off: When is “Done” Really Done?

For the residents of Grand County, the biggest immediate impact is the change in property ownership and responsibility. The bill specifies that the land transfer can only happen after the Secretary of Energy decides the remediation work has reached a sufficient level. This decision is the linchpin, and it must satisfy the health and safety requirements of the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act and other federal regulations. This means that while the county gets the land, the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) can impose safety and regulatory restrictions on the property to ensure public health is protected. Think of it as getting a house for free, but the previous owner still holds the right to inspect the foundation every year to ensure it’s not falling apart.

Federal Rights and Local Limitations

Here’s where the fine print gets interesting—and potentially limiting for the county. Even after the land is transferred, the federal government isn’t entirely out of the picture. The bill mandates that the U.S. government retains whatever water rights it needs to finish its cleanup responsibilities, particularly for ongoing groundwater monitoring and remediation. If you’re a local farmer or business owner who relies on water resources, this provision means the federal government’s needs for environmental cleanup will continue to take priority over those specific water rights, even on land now owned by the county.

The Permanent No-Sale Clause

The most significant long-term restriction on Grand County is found in the transfer agreement’s mandatory terms. The bill requires a rule specifically forbidding the county from ever selling or giving any part of the land to a private company or a nonprofit organization. This is a massive caveat. While getting free land is great, this restriction severely limits the county’s future options. If the county ever wanted to use the land for local economic development—say, selling a portion to a company that would bring high-paying jobs, or transferring it to a local nonprofit for a community project—this bill slams the door shut on those possibilities. The land is essentially locked into public use, which could be a benefit for conservation but a major hurdle for economic flexibility.