Who regulates uranium mining and milling?
• In situ leach mining is the only mining method regulated by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Underground and open pit mining are regulated by the states. • NRC regulates uranium milling – the process of extracting uranium from mined ore – and mill tailings – the radioactive wastes produced by the milling process – under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act. — NRC requires an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for any proposed mill. -0If Virginia were to lift its moratorium and developed NRC-equivalent regulations, it could apply for “Agreement State” status. — An Agreement State replaces NRC as regulator of uranium mills and waste; Agreement States are not required to conduct an EIS for mining activities. — Existing Agreement States such as Arizona, Utah and New Mexico have experienced severe problems with environmental impacts from mining. • Under the federal Clean Water Act, a mining company would be required to get a stormwater permit from the Virgi
