HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES-CC-2014-11Resolution #11-2014
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE INITIAL COMMUNITY VISION FOR FUTURE
USES OF THE MOAB UMTRA PROJECT SITE
WHEREAS, in 2005, the United States Department of Energy ("DOE") issued a Record of Decision
approving a Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action ("UMTRA") for removal of approximately 13
million tons of uranium tailings from the Atlas Mill site on the banks of the Colorado River near
Moab, Utah ("Moab Site") to a disposal site near Crescent Junction, Utah (collectively, the "UMTRA
Project"); and
WHEREAS, the DOE expects to complete remediation of the Moab Site by approximately 2025; and
WHEREAS, Grand County established the Moab Tailings Project Steering Committee (the "Steering
Committee") as a forum and mechanism for open communication and monitoring of the UMTRA
Project during its operation, to advise the County Council on matters pertaining to the Project and
to seek appropriate future uses of the Moab Site and Crescent Junction Site upon completion of the
Project; and
WHEREAS, it is customary, though not required, for the DOE to transfer remediated UMTRA
properties to other governmental entities to use for beneficial purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Steering Committee established the Site Futures Committee as a subcommittee to
develop recommendations regarding potential future uses of the Moab Site through a public
planning process; and
WHEREAS, it is Grand County's express intent that future uses of the Moab Site provide substantial
social and economic benefits to residents of and visitors to Moab and Grand County; and
WHEREAS, Grand County, the City of Moab, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land
Management and Utah's Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands foresee beneficial purposes for
some portions of the Moab Site and have collaborated with Grand County's Site Futures Committee
and citizens to develop a shared vision (the "Initial Community Vision") for these beneficial uses;
and
WHEREAS, on November 13, 2013, this Initial Community Vision was endorsed by Grand County's
Moab Tailings Project Steering Committee (the "Steering Committee"), by unanimous vote at their
public Special Meeting, to serve as a starting point for planning possible future features of the Moab
Site; and
WHEREAS, the Community Vision is expected to be periodically updated using additional public
and agency input until final disposition of the Moab Site is determined by the DOE sometime after
2025;and
WHEREAS, the Community Vision could be used by the DOE during the remediation to
accommodate community preferences, where allowed within the UMTRA scope, and by local
government leaders in support of appeals for adequate federal funding for the UMTRA Project; and
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WHEREAS, on November 21, 2013, the Initial Community Vision was presented and recommended
by the Steering Committee to both the Grand County Council and the Moab City Council at a joint
session;
NOW THEREFORE, the Moab City Council hereby supports and endorses the Initial Community
Vision as recommended by the Steering Committee as a starting point for more detailed planning as
required for the Specially Planned Area, with the following provisions:
Transfer of Site from DOE. The City of Moab acknowledges that Grand County has
requested that DOE transfer ownership of the Moab Site to Grand County upon completion
of the Moab Project.
Future Uses to Provide Social and Economic Benefits. It is the express intent of this
Initial Vision that any future uses of the Moab Site shall provide substantial social and
economic benefits to residents of and visitors to Moab and Grand County.
Periodic Updates to the Community Vision. At least once every five years until the DOE
determines final site disposition, the Steering Committee may direct the Site Futures
Committee to review and update the Community Vision as needed using a public and
agency input process, and to coordinate these reviews and updates with other planning
processes.
Notification of Substantive Updates. The Steering Committee shall notify the Grand
County Council and the Moab City Council whenever a substantive update is made by the
Site Futures Committee to the Initial Community Vision or any subsequent Community
Visions for future uses of the Moab Site.
Review and Approval of Substantive Updates. The Moab City Council and the Grand
County Council reserves the right to endorse or reject any substantive future revisions to
the Community Vision.
Passed and adopted by action of the Governing Body of the City of Moab in open session this
28th day of January, 2014.
CITY OF MOAB
By:
Attest:
• cdA-cc_,
Rachel E. Stenta
City Recorder
Resolution #11-2014
L•u
David L. Sakrison
Mayor
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