Escrow accord set for uranium mill

The prospect of placing a uranium mill northwest of Green River, Emery County, has inched forward with a purchase agreement penned for "Lot One" at Mancos Hills Industrial Park.

The escrow agreement was signed earlier this week by Mancos Resources and government officials with four counties in southeastern Utah that make up the Castleland Resource Conservation and Development Council.

A statement by Mancos said the agreement culminated a yearlong site selection process for a facility that would employ more than 40 people, last about 50 years and result in a $125 million investment for Utah.

The mill complex will include permanent on-site tailings disposal, similar to a design already in place in Crescent Junction, Grand County.

In May 2008 the company presented plans to the Utah Radiation Control Board for a mill that would process 1,200 tons of uranium ore a day, with an estimated startup date in 2012.

Concern has been raised by some groups, however, over Mancos' efforts to obtain water rights from the state.

Living Rivers, the Moab Local Green Party and Red Rock Forests filed protests, citing concerns over environmental impact to native habitat and public health effects of uranium mill tailings.

Controversy has also erupted in the past when then-Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville, discussed building two nuclear reactors at the same industrial site. Tilton has been reported as the owner of Transition Power Development.

Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah has raised a number of issues about both the mill and the power plant, specifically the final destination of high-level radioactive waste.

E-MAIL: amyjoi@desnews.com