Greenway Settlement Agreement: All You Need to Know

The Greenway Settlement Agreement is a comprehensive legal agreement between the US Government, the state of Arizona, and the Navajo Nation. The settlement agreement aims to resolve long-standing disputes over the cleanup and remediation of over 50 abandoned uranium mines on Navajo lands.

The settlement agreement was signed on April 11, 2019, and represents an important collaboration between the US Government and the Navajo Nation, which has been fighting for the cleanup of these mines for decades. Under the agreement, the US Government will provide $220 million for the cleanup of the abandoned mines, and the Navajo Nation will drop its lawsuit against the government.

The agreement is a significant win for the Navajo Nation, which has been disproportionately affected by uranium mining in the past. From the 1940s to the 1980s, over 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands, leading to widespread contamination of land, water, and air. The effects of uranium mining on Navajo communities have been devastating, with high rates of cancer, birth defects, and other health problems.

The settlement agreement represents a step towards justice for these communities by providing funding for the cleanup of the abandoned mines and remediation of the contaminated land. The agreement also includes provisions for the establishment of a community development fund to support sustainable economic development on Navajo lands and the creation of a database to track and monitor the health effects of uranium exposure among Navajo people.

In addition to its significance for the Navajo Nation, the Greenway Settlement Agreement also has broader implications for environmental justice and the cleanup of abandoned mines across the US. The agreement represents a model for collaboration between communities, states, and the federal government in addressing environmental injustices and working towards a more sustainable future.

As we move forward, it is important to remember that the work of cleaning up the legacy of uranium mining on Navajo lands is far from over. The Greenway Settlement Agreement is an important step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning of a long journey towards healing and justice for affected communities. We must continue to work towards ensuring that all communities have access to clean land, air, and water, and that environmental justice is achieved for all.