Uranium Mine in National Forest? Forest Service Wants Input
Published Date: 9/14/2026
Notice
Summary
The Forest Service is starting a review of the Roca Honda Mine Project, a plan to build and run an underground uranium mine in New Mexico’s Cibola National Forest and nearby lands. They want your thoughts by October 14, 2026, before deciding if the project can move forward. The full environmental report will be ready by January 2028, and this project could change how the forest is managed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
Public radon exposure risk
The EIS will evaluate potential exposure of the public to radioactive radon gas vented from mine shafts near the project area in McKinley County, New Mexico. The Forest Service lists radon gas exposure from vented shafts as a specific substantive issue to be evaluated.
Treated wastewater discharged to Rio San Jose
The proposed project would construct a pipeline in the New Mexico Highway 605 right-of-way and discharge treated water into a non-perennial segment of the Rio San Jose in the Village of Milan, New Mexico. EPA must consider an NPDES permit under Clean Water Act section 402 for that discharge.
Land disturbance footprint: 87 + 279 acres
Proposed activities would disturb about 87 acres on National Forest System lands and about 279 acres on State and private lands for wells, shafts, pipelines, roads, a water treatment plant, ore bays, waste rock stockpiles, and ponds. These disturbances occur near San Mateo and Grants in McKinley County, New Mexico.
Long project life: 21 years with 11 years production
The project lifespan is estimated at approximately 21 years, including about 11 years of mineral production and remaining years for construction, reclamation, and closure monitoring. The EIS will evaluate potential effects on local and state workforce and the economy.
Forest Plan amendment affecting tribal and water protections
The Forest Service expects the proposed action will require a project-specific amendment to the Cibola National Forest Land Management Plan to except the project from certain desired conditions related to tribal, cultural, and water resources.
Truck haul of ore to Utah mill
Ore-bearing materials would be hauled off-site by truck to the White Mesa Mill in Blanding, Utah for processing. The proposal therefore includes sustained truck transport off the site for processing outside New Mexico.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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