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MEDIA ALERT: EPA, Navajo Nation convene fifth annual stakeholder workshop to address uranium contamination

Release Date: 04/12/2013
Contact Information: Rusty Harris-Bishop, 415-972-3140, harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov

(4/12/2013) SAN FRANCISCO — On April 16-17, 2013, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies, the Navajo Nation, congressional staff, academia, state and local government representatives, community members and nongovernment organizations will meet to address uranium contamination on the Navajo Nation.

The workshop is the fifth annual gathering and will assess the progress under the recently completed five-year plan to address uranium contamination, and prepare for the next five years’ actions. The plan was the first comprehensive strategy to address uranium-related contamination issues throughout the Navajo Nation, which spans three states and is roughly the size of West Virginia. The report documenting the accomplishments can be found here:

http://epa.gov/region9/superfund/navajo-nation/pdf/NavajoUraniumReport2013.pdf

The annual workshop is an opportunity for federal agencies to meet with local stakeholders to discuss progress and strategize the next steps for cleanup. Federal agencies in attendance include the EPA, the Department of Energy, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

WHO:

Jared Blumenfeld, Regional Administrator, Pacific Southwest Region, US EPA

Ben Shelly, President, Navajo Nation

Cal Curley, US Senator Tom Udall’s office

Jim Dumont, US Senator Martin Heinrich’s office

Ron Lee, US Representative Ann Kirkpatrick’s office

Brian Lee, US Representative Ben Lujan’s office

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 16 - Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Opening Invocation 8:30 am on April 16
Keynote Address to follow by President Shelly and Jared Blumenfeld

WHERE:
Gallup Inn, 2915 W. Historic Highway 66, Gallup, NM 87301

(505) 722-2201

RSVP:
Please RSVP in advance with name, contact info (include email and phone) and media affiliation to Rusty Harris-Bishop at harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov to participate and discuss the best opportunities for coverage. If you are interested in conducting embargoed interviews in advance, please make that request as soon as possible.

Accredited members of the press: Interviews and Photos are available. For media who are unable to attend the event but would like to cover this important story, event photos and interviews will be made available. Please contact Rusty Harris-Bishop at harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov to provide the details of your request along with your media affiliation.