# New Mexico Lawmakers Confront Los Alamos Over Spreading Toxic Plume Legislators demand accountability for hexavalent chromium contamination migrating under Pueblo de San Ildefonso land. - **Source:** [Courthouse News](https://www.courthousenews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e04b441e-b455-4a9a-8114-e0c2431d4d1d ## Legislative Alarm Over Contamination Senator Jeff Steinborn described the hexavalent chromium plume spreading under Pueblo de San Ildefonso land as a runaway train. During a Thursday hearing, the New Mexico Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee scrutinized Los Alamos National Laboratory regarding its legacy cleanup efforts. Lawmakers expressed deep frustration over the lack of effective remediation. ## Origins of Chemical Plume The toxic plume originated from a non-nuclear power plant operated by the laboratory between 1956 and 1972. During this period, workers routinely flushed contaminated water into Sandia Canyon, allowing the chemicals to migrate into underground aquifers. This legacy pollution now threatens land located just outside the city of Santa Fe. ## Remediation System Status The laboratory is currently attempting to restart an interim measure involving a system that extracts, treats, and injects clean water along the plume edges. Despite these efforts, Senator Steinborn argued that the contamination has not been properly characterized. He questioned whether the laboratory is effectively arresting the spread of the toxic chemicals. ## Public Health Risk Assessment Stanley Pyram, acting manager of the Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office, stated the plume poses no immediate threat to drinking water wells. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns that prolonged exposure to hexavalent chromium can damage skin, eyes, and respiratory tracts, and is linked to increased cancer risks. ## Stalled Settlement Negotiations Laboratory representatives met with the New Mexico Environmental Department in August to discuss a waste cleanup agreement. Despite these discussions, the laboratory has not yet signed a formal settlement. Senator Steinborn emphasized that without a signed agreement, there is no binding commitment to ensure the laboratory fulfills its cleanup responsibilities. ## Uranium Mining Concerns The committee also addressed proposals for 20 new uranium mines in New Mexico. Residents highlighted that three mines are planned near Mount Taylor, a site sacred to the Navajo Nation. Energy Fuels, a Colorado-based company, seeks to operate a mine there for 21 years, including production and subsequent reclamation phases. ## Indigenous Opposition and Jurisdiction The Navajo Nation maintains a law prohibiting uranium mining on its territory and Mount Taylor. Although the reservation lacks the legal jurisdiction to stop mining on adjacent federal lands, advocates continue to oppose the transport of radioactive materials. They argue that current regulatory frameworks are insufficient to handle the industry's resurgence. ## Call for Regulatory Reform Environmental justice coordinators are urging state officials to pause all new mining permits. They argue that New Mexico must first establish robust regulatory infrastructure to address technological changes and the legacy of 261 abandoned mines. The committee continues its deliberations on Friday to address these ongoing environmental and safety concerns. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.courthousenews.com/new-mexico-lawmakers-raise-alarm-over-toxic-plume-under-pueblo-land/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._