Environmental Review and Permitting
An environmental and radiation protection program is required at uranium mills by the Radiation Control Program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The agency’s regulations are as strict as or stricter than the regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). An objective of these regulations is to prevent environmental contamination and to keep radiation doses on and off site to levels that are as low as reasonably achievable.
At a very early stage, regulatory licensing standards require that environmental studies begin on the specific site and surrounding areas. The data collected establishes a baseline condition for the site and surrounding area and provides Energy Fuels, the regulatory agencies and the public with a basis to which they can compare data collected during operation of the mill. Energy Fuels must collect baseline information on groundwater, surface water, geology, soils, vegetation, wildlife, radiation, climate and air quality.
The culmination of the study process for the Piñon Ridge Mill is the compilation and publication of an Environmental Report to be submitted to the CDPHE. After consideration of comments from the public, Montrose County, and other Colorado state agencies, the CDPHE decides whether a license will be issued to Energy Fuels to allow the construction and operation of the Piñon Ridge Mill.
Permit applications and documents filed with Montrose County for the Piñon Ridge Mill:
Montrose County Special Use Permit 
Water Supply Evaluation Report
Response Letter from Energy Fuels on Water
Permits and documents filed with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for the Piñon Ridge Mill can be accessed through the following link:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/rad/rml/energyfuels/
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