Thoreau Teens Oppose Radioactive Dump

6.28.24 – Earlier this year, 10th graders from Thoreau High School wrote to media outlets and officials across the state, drawing attention to a recommended cleanup plan from the federal government.

Across the Navajo Nation, contaminated uranium mines have been polluting the air and water and making people sick for generations. As part of a plan to finally clean up more than a million cubic yards of contaminated uranium and radium waste at just one of those sites, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed relocating the waste to private land within the town of Thoreau. Relocating it to the Red Rocks Disposal Facility would move the uranium off the lands of the Navajo Nation, but as the students point out, the town of Thoreau is predominantly Navajo.

This spring, a representative from the EPA met with the students, who listened to a presentation and interviewed him for their podcast. Our Land Senior Producer Laura Paskus visited Thoreau High School in May and then invited the teens into the studio in Albuquerque to talk about what they’re learning, and who they’re hoping will listen.

Correspondent: Laura Paskus

Guests:
Reagan Russette, Thoreau High School
MiaBella Burrola, Thoreau High School
Ezekiel Gonzales, Thoreau High School

For More Information:
Navajo teenagers fight to prevent radioactive waste in their community – Albuquerque Journal