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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
uranium pollution; remediation
Purpose
Urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to implement the remediation and cleanup of uranium and related air and water pollution resulting from improperly reclaimed former and abandoned uranium mines within Arizona.
Background
The EPA Superfund Program allows the U.S. EPA to clean up contaminated sites, including uranium mines. Using the Hazard Ranking System criteria, the U.S. EPA determines which sites pose a higher threat to human health or the environment (U.S. EPA).
Uranium is a radioactive metal that is found in the environment in three forms of isotopes. The U.S. EPA has set the Maximum Contaminant Level of 30 micrograms per liter for uranium in drinking water and 30 picocuries per liter for uranium 234 and uranium 238 for uranium mill tailing sites as standards for groundwater protection (U.S. EPA).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Urges the U.S. EPA to take any and all necessary and additional steps to implement the remediation and cleanup of uranium and related air and water pollution resulting from improperly reclaimed former and abandoned uranium mines in Arizona.
2. Urges the Attorney General to review and consider appropriate legal actions to compel remediation actions and additional actions by the U.S. EPA.
3. Directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to the Administrator of the U.S. EPA, the Attorney General and each member of Arizona's congressional delegation.
House Action
FR 2/6/19 DPA 7-0-0-0
NREW 2/19/19 DP 7-4-0-2
3rd Read 2/26/19 31-29-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 18, 2019
KN/LD/gs