Bill would hand the cleaned-up Moab uranium site to Grand County, Utah

The Secretary of Energy would give the federal government's interest in the Moab site to Grand County, Utah, at no cost. It covers the Moab uranium mill tailings cleanup site, with the United States keeping water rights it needs for its cleanup duties, including access to groundwater wells. The transfer happens only once cleanup is far enough along for land transfer, as decided by the Energy Secretary after consulting regulators. The county could not sell or give any of the land to a private company or nonprofit. Safety restrictions on use could apply, and the Secretary may add other terms to protect the United States. The transfer would follow when cleanup reaches that status.

The Secretary of Energy would give the Grand County Water Conservancy District, at no cost, the Green River water pipeline, its pump stations and pumps, and a holding pond, along with the Crescent Junction water right. The infrastructure serves the Moab cleanup project, from the Green River to the Crescent Junction site. The district must use these assets to address the water shortage in the communities it serves. The district could not pass the assets to a private company or nonprofit. The Secretary may keep water rights strictly needed to finish groundwater cleanup. The transfer would follow when cleanup reaches the same completion status as for the site.