Red Water Pond Road Community Association
RWPRCA
Community Overview
About
Red Water Pond Road Community Association (RWPRCA), founded in 2007, is based near Churchrock, New Mexico in the Coyote Chapter of the Navajo Nation. The community lives between two Superfund sites—the Northeast Churchrock Mine and the Quivera/Kerr McGee Mine—and one uranium mill Superfund site, the United Nuclear Corporation Churchrock Mill.
The Red Water Pond Road Community Association’s mission is to restore the land and water contaminated by uranium mining, improve the health of community members, and protect and preserve the natural and cultural environment in which they live.
Key Issue 1: Uranium Spill
On July 16, 1979, an earthen dam owned by the United Nuclear Corp. broke and released 1,100 tons of radioactive uranium tailings and 94 million gallons of toxic wastewater into the Rio Puerco, contaminating the river for at least 80 miles.
The spill remains the single largest release of radioactive material in U.S. history. Yet its long-term health and environmental impacts have not been adequately studied.
Every July 16 for over 45 years, community members gather at the site to offer healing prayers. As RWPRCA leader Edith Hood describes: “We walk to the site and say healing prayers… By working together, with our combined intelligence and wisdom, we can address this legacy to provide a life of balance and harmony for our people and future generations.”
Key Issue 2: North East Churchrock Mine Cleanup
The Northeast Churchrock Mine (NECR) site is the largest defunct mine on the Navajo Nation and has the highest priority for cleanup.
Despite removal of approximately 200,000 tons of contaminated soil, waste remains in place and continues exposing residents to radium.
Cleanup start dates have been repeatedly delayed. EPA has indicated potential work beginning in 2026—42 years after the hazard was first identified.
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Red Water Pond Road Community Association (RWPRCA)
Based near Churchrock, NM, RWPRCA works to restore land and water contaminated by uranium mining and address the legacy of the 1979 Church Rock uranium spill.
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