New Mexico Sun

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has announced the introduction of an interactive dashboard by its Office of Strategic Initiatives. The new tool simplifies research on uranium impacts and facilitates access to relevant government agencies. The dashboard, developed in collaboration with the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), is a response to recent legislation aimed at enhancing transparency on the reclamation status of former uranium mine and mill sites.

The newly launched dashboard enables the public to easily access information on legacy uranium mines and milling operations. Regular updates will be provided as NMED receives new information on each site. These updates will summarize mine and mill details, regulatory actions, and information on non-permitted sites. According to a press release by NMED, the map expands upon EMNRD's 2011 Legacy Uranium Mines Dashboard by including contextual layers such as land ownership and legislative districts. This provides transparency on approximately 261 uranium mine sites in New Mexico.

Miori Harms, NMED Uranium Mining Reclamation Coordinator, stated that the goal was to make "the information on former uranium mining sites in New Mexico as easy as possible to access." Harms further added that "the information on the dashboard gives everyone, from former uranium workers to neighboring communities to state and federal regulators, a single place to go for information on this topic."

New Mexico State Senator Jeff Steinborn also expressed his views about the initiative: "This dashboard is an important tool to educate New Mexicans about these toxic waste sites in our state," he said. "It is a reminder of the unfinished business of the federal government to clean up the uranium mines used to create our nation’s nuclear stockpile."

According to its webpage provided by the state of New Mexico, NMED is committed to protecting and restoring the environment for present and future generations. It employs innovative engineering solutions, ensures compliance with state regulations, and holds polluters accountable for a fair and sustainable New Mexico.