Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Moab's Uranium Tailings Pile

By Sheri Quinn

Moab, UT – The first thing tourists see as they enter Moab in southeastern Utah is a huge pile of uranium mill tailings. Material from the pile is now leaching into the Colorado River. It dates back to the 1950's when the nation was using uranium mined in southern Utah to make atomic bombs. Whether to move the pile or leave it be has confounded the community for the past decade. Some water officials say keeping it where it is won't hurt the river -- others disagree. Producer Sheri Quinn brings us up to date.

KUER is listener-supported public radio. Support this work by making a donation today.