The Navajo Nation now has stronger requirements for companies that want to transport radioactive materials across their land. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said the change sends a message to “respect tribal sovereignty.”Leaders recently passed updates to the 2012 Radioactive and Related Substances, Equipment, Vehicles, Persons and Materials Transportation Act.
“The Forest Service had requested advance notification; however, there were no requirements for the mine to do so,” the US Forest Service website says.Energy Fuels spokesperson Curtis Moore said the company also notified the Navajo Nation prior to the shipments. However, President Nygren said they did not provide notice.The transport of uranium has stopped while talks continue between the two.Indigenous activists and environmentalists have held multiple protests over the mine in recent weeks.