PAST URANIUM MINING IN SOUTH DAKOTA: POLICY AND REGULATORY ISSUES

Researchers have identified environmental impacts that resulted from uranium mining and milling in the 1950s – 1970s, when that activity was essentially unregulated. These impacts on South Dakota water quality will be reviewed and summarized.

Beginning in the 1970s, new federal and state laws required the maintenance of water, soil, and air quality. Yet regulators have struggled to deal with past mining issues, especially in recent years when new uranium projects have been proposed, requiring agencies to respond to these new issues. The agency response in South Dakota has included the updating of some regulations, and those updates will be reviewed as they may impact water use and water quality.

Public policy issues related to these situations will then be reviewed and discussed. Recommendations for future policies will be offered.

Lilias Jones Jarding, Ph.D.