Or, in this case, was it the weather patterns? Mother Nature showed off her destructive side with the Indonesian tsunami on Dec. 26. The official tsunami death toll is about 178,000. The number of missing is believed to be as high as 128,426, with most presumed dead.

Then came floods in southern Utah that caused $145 million in damage to roads, bridges and water and sewer systems. Dozens of private homes were destroyed or seriously damaged. Compared to the Virgin and Santa Clara rivers, the Colorado is a giant. A flood that swept the mill tailings into the river would be highly problematic.

Wes Bannister, chairman of the board for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, told the Associated Press that if the radioactive waste was swept into the Colorado River, the water could theoretically be treated. But it would be more costly than moving the waste. No wonder he said he was "ecstatic" about the DOE announcement.

Now, Grand County officials are anxious to move on to the next stage of their experience with the mill tailings: a safe and efficient plan to move them, a project that will bring jobs and some short-term economic development.

And some are even considering the possibilities for that 130-acre parcel on Potash Road, where the 12 million tons of pilings now reside.

"It's the gateway to our community. We want to make sure whatever is done there is appropriate and makes people feel welcome," Langianese said.

Move the tailings, indeed!

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Marjorie Cortez is a Deseret Morning News editorial writer. E-mail her at marjorie@desnews.com.