The UMTRA site in Cane Valley is a former uranium mill that has undergone surface remediation. Tailings and contaminated materials were removed and deposited in the Mexican Hat (Utah) UMTRA project site for consolidation in the Mexican Hat disposal cell. The subpile soil where the tailings piles were formerly located remains contaminated with ammonium and nitrate.

A three acre phytoremediation experiment using the native shrubs saltwood (Buxifolia) and greasebush (Glossopetalon) to remove nitrate and sulfate from the groundwater began in 2006. The plants are irrigated with various mixes of contaminated and clean water sources (the clean water is pumped from several miles away). When the plants reach a certain height they are harvested, burned, and their ashes buried before replanting begins.

Video

Phytoremediation project at abandoned uranium mine in Monument Valley.

Cane Valley UMTRA site in Monument Valley area.

Maps

Groundwater monitoring locations at UMTRA site in Cane Valley

Regional map of Monument Valley UMTRA site

Former Uranium Mill and Tailings site, Cane Valley

Location of Cane Valley UMTRA site in relation to Mexican Hat UMTRA site

Phytoremediation and proposed grazing locations map