Draft2:Abandoned Uranium Mines Working Group

Template:Stub noticeThe Abandoned Uranium Mines Working Group (AUMWG) is a consortium of federal agencies working together to address the human health, safety, and environmental challenges posed by the nation’s approximately 4225 abandoned mines resulting from legacy defense‐related uranium mining. By marshalling and leveraging the resources of multiple federal agencies, the group works with states and tribes to identify and address high‐priority mines in an effective and coordinated manner.

Each agency operates under its own mission and authority to contribute to this collaborative effort. Communications related to AUMWG activities will reflect appropriate coordination. As each agency engages its partners and stakeholders, the highlights of those activities will be shared with the group.

The AUMWG recognizes the importance of the meaningful participation of stakeholders and will enhance engagement with stakeholders to ensure the transparency of Defense‐Related Uranium Mines (DRUM) Program and abandoned mine lands (AML) activities. The approach outlined herein is designed to be dynamic and adaptable and will evolve based on implementation results and ongoing input from stakeholders and the working group. The AUMWG, through its member agencies, will build stronger strategic partnerships with stakeholders to implement its recommendations for addressing the legacy of AUMs.

DOE's role

DOE’s Office of Legacy Management established the DRUM Program after the Defense‐Related Uranium Mines Report to Congress (Report to Congress) was completed in August 2014. The DRUM Program is a partnership between DOE, federal land management agencies, and state AML programs to verify and validate the condition of DRUM sites on public, private, and tribal land.

History

The AUMWG was formed to provide a common framework for leveraging and optimizing each agency’s limited resources to quantify the magnitude of the problem posed by AUMs and to assess and prioritize risks. The AUMWG holds quarterly teleconference calls and implements an action plan as part of the strategy to facilitate the sharing of information, site‐specific data, and the status of mine activity to address AUMs using a coordinated approach on a national scale.

Stakeholders

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
• U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
• National Park Service (NPS)

Oversight Organizations

• U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The AUMWG representatives, when appropriate, will engage with OMB to enable AUM activities, since it prepares the president’s budget proposal to Congress and supervises the administration of the agencies. It is important to engage OMB, since it evaluates the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures; assesses competing funding demands among agencies; and sets funding priorities. Ultimately, OMB ensures that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with the president’s budget and with administration policies.
• U.S. Congress: The AUMWG representatives, when appropriate, will engage with Congress to address concerns with and report on AUM activities, as was done through the 2014 DRUM Report to Congress. Congress takes an active interest in its constituents’ inquiries and will insist that each be given sympathetic consideration, equitable treatment, and timely response. The AUMWG will facilitate these inquiries in a timely and accurate manner.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO): The AUMWG representatives, when appropriate, will engage GAO to address concerns with and report on DRUM and AML activities. GAO provides fact‐based, nonpartisan, and balanced information to Congress, seeking to enhance the economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and credibility of the federal government. Often called the “Congressional watchdog,” GAO investigates federal spending and performance. The AUMWG will facilitate any audits, evaluations, investigations, and engagements, as appropriate.

Related links

• Defense-Related Uranium Mines Program
• Undocumented Orphaned Well Program
• Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission

External links

• https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/AUMWG_Communications_Strategy_2022_Final.pdf
• https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/AUWMG_Report%202021_FINAL.pdf
• https://www.energy.gov/lm/articles/abandoned-uranium-mines-working-group-aumwg-strategic-plan
• https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2020/02/f71/AUMWG%20Communications%20Strategy%20%28December%206%2C%202019%29.pdf

References

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