What agencies oversee uranium recovery operations in Colorado?
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversees and regulates the process of in-situ uranium recovery. However, Colorado is an ‘Agreement State,’ meaning that state agencies have entered into agreement with NRC to oversee all in-situ recovery licensing and permitting on that federal agency’s behalf. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS), in conjunction with the Mined Land Reclamation Board, will oversee the mining and reclamation sites at the Centennial Project, including permitting and regulating the extraction of the mineral, reclamation of affected land and protecting and implementing the state’s groundwater quality standards. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will handle licensing and oversight of the handling, transportation and disposal of uranium and any byproduct material, as well as any applicable issues relating to surface water and air quality for the site. Colorado agencies
