Mission

On October 12, a group of more than 100 community members and advocates marched in opposition to the White Mesa uranium mill and its receipt of international radioactive waste. We conducted overflights to capture this moving act of advocacy and to provide the aerial perspective to media, advocates and leaders from regional universities, and community members.

Members of the White Mesa Ute Mountain Ute community, other Tribes, environmental groups, and concerned citizens joined together for a Spiritual Walk, marching 5 miles to the entrance of the uranium mill. The mill is located next to Bears Ears National Monument and the White Mesa Ute Mountain Ute community, and poses outstanding risks to the Tribe and local residents, poisoning their land and groundwater with toxic and radioactive waste.

White Mesa, operated for years in violation of EPA regulations that require cells that hold harmful waste material to be fully covered with water. This violation has now been remedied. The inadequate liquid coverage was causing excessive radon emissions, about 10 times the rate of a covered cell.

Additionally, White Mesa uranium mill has become a worldwide destination for radioactive waste, recently being paid to accept 138 tons of harmful waste and material from Japan, and in 2023, accepting over 1.4 million pounds of toxic waste from Estonia.

Thank you to our partners for your dedication and advocacy to provide justice, clean air, and safe drinking water for residents. EcoFlight will continue to watchdog the White Mesa Mill and partner with communities and organizations working to protect the White Mesa Ute Mountain Ute community’s environment, culture, and sacred sites from the uranium mill.

Click for the photos, aerial footage, and geo-referenced photos from the flights.