Office of Legacy Management receives the 2024 EPA National Federal Facility in Site Reuse Award for the Tuba City Disposal Site
July 9, 2024
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On June 5, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the seventh annual Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards winners. The awards highlight accomplishments of government agencies, partners, and communities in restoring and reusing contaminated lands.
EPA awarded the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management’s (LM) Tuba City Disposal Site in Arizona with the 2024 award in the Superfund Non-National Priorities List category. The award is given to recognize exceptional work of remediating sites for beneficial reuse. The Tuba City site was awarded for its groundwater remediation and infrastructure.
“So many people have worked very hard to make sure that the success of Tuba City Disposal Site continues,” said LM Beneficial Reuse Manager Diana Kamenel Trettin. “We are truly honored to be recognized by the EPA and look forward to continuing LM’s mission.”
The site is leased from the Navajo Nation and located close to the Hopi Reservation. A uranium mill operated there from 1956 to 1966 before DOE remediated the site under the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project in 1990. Since its transfer to LM, the Office has been responsible for long-term stewardship activities, including inspections, record-keeping, and maintenance as needed. LM also ensures that the site’s groundwater remains safe for human health and the environment.
The groundwater remediation is ongoing and powered by a solar photovoltaic system, a renewable energy source. The operation uses about 50 kilowatts of solar electricity for remediation processes. The additional 285 kilowatts of generated solar energy is contributed to the Arizona Public Service electrical grid, which connects to the community and the U.S. electrical grid.
“Our partnerships with tribal and government agencies, both on a state and federal level, have been crucial to the site’s success,” said LM Site Manager Bill Frazier. “We are excited to be recognized for our continuous work at Tuba City.”
EPA will be hosting a ceremony for the awards, either in person or virtually, later in 2024.