{"id":91,"date":"2024-10-17T16:49:18","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T16:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/faqs\/"},"modified":"2024-10-22T20:05:19","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T20:05:19","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-left\" style=\"min-height:256px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(255,255,255,0) 0%,rgb(60,159,157) 100%)\"><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-262\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/05\/ENV_Hero.jpg\" style=\"object-position:48% 74%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"48% 74%\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">Uranium Mining &amp; Reclamation in New Mexico<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class='nmenv_accordion'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_0'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h2>Workforce FAQ<\/h2><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA)?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>WIOA stands for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a U.S. federal law enacted in 2014. It aims to improve the nation&#8217;s workforce system by providing access to employment, education, training, and support services for individuals seeking employment and employers seeking skilled workers. WIOA also emphasizes government, education, and industry partnerships to enhance workforce development and economic growth. WIOA is a program supported by the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is the Wagner-Peyser Act?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>The Wagner-Peyser Act is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1933 that established a nationwide system of public employment offices, known as the Employment Service. It aimed to facilitate job matching between job seekers and employers, promote employment stability, and enhance workforce development. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) manages all elements of the Wagner-Peyser Act. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: Who is eligible for WIOA<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>WIOA serves individuals who have been determined to need Individualized Career Services (ICS) or Training Services (TS) to obtain or retain employment that leads to economic self-sufficiency (see below).\u202f <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: Who pays for WIOA program costs?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>WIOA funds are distributed to Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDB). These boards administer grant funding, organize events and hiring fairs, and provide support services to program participants and employers. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is Economic Self-Sufficiency? <\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Economic Self-Sufficiency, as defined by New Mexico&#8217;s Local Workforce Development Boards, refers to the ability of individuals and families to support themselves financially without relying on public assistance. It involves securing stable employment that pays a living wage, accessing necessary skills training and education, and obtaining adequate support services to meet basic needs such as housing, healthcare, and childcare. The goal is to empower individuals to achieve financial independence and build long-term economic stability for themselves and their families. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What documents or information is needed to document Economic Self-Sufficiency or a lack thereof?\u202f <\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Basic information needed:<br \/>\n\u2022 Job Title<br \/>\n\u2022 Employer Name<br \/>\n\u2022 Dates of Employment: From \/ To (Month, Year)<br \/>\n\u2022 Wage<br \/>\n\u2022 Wage Type (Hourly, Annual, Other); and<br \/>\n\u2022 Hours per Week. <\/p>\n<p>Basic Documentation:<br \/>\n\u2022 Copy of a recent paycheck or paystub<br \/>\n\u2022 Employer letter or other document describing the customer\u2019s current wage<br \/>\n\u2022 Self-Attestation (method of last resort) <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: How is Economic Self-Sufficiency defined?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Economic Self-sufficiency calculations are derived from utilizing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Living Wage Calculator and are as follows: <\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 75%\" border=\"1\">\n<tr bgcolor=\"c8e3f3\">\n<td>New Mexico Region<\/td>\n<td>Wage from Calculator<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Eastern Area Workforce Development Board <\/td>\n<td>$53.92\/hour <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Northern Area Workforce Development Board <\/td>\n<td>$53.88\/hour <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Southwestern Area Workforce Development Board <\/td>\n<td>$45.40\/hour <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico <\/td>\n<td>$56.51\/hour <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What are Supportive Services? <\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>According to DWS, Supportive Services means services necessary to enable individuals to participate in activities authorized under WIOA or the Wagner-Peyser Act. Supportive services available to adult and dislocated workers include but are not limited to services such as linkages to community services, legal aid services, reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, childcare, transportation, dependent care, housing, needs-related payments, work clothing, tools and other reasonable expenses approved by contract manager or his\/her designee that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in training and employment activities authorized under WIOA Title I. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: How do participants qualify for WIOA Supportive Services?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>The first step is to contact the Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) and join one of the WIOA orientation events. The events provide an overview of WIOA, describe what is available for program participants, and offer assistance in applying for qualifying programs.\u202f Determination of whether the supportive services are paid or unpaid will be included in the Individual Service Strategy (ISS) or Individual Employment Plan (IEP) as necessary. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: How do employers qualify for WIOA reimbursement?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>The first step is to contact the Department of Workforce Solutions and speak with a WIOA specialist to understand the requirements and benefits of the program. The WIOA specialist will help you with the application process and present the reimbursements you may qualify for through the program. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is an initial screening assessment and why do I have to take one?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>An initial assessment is required for candidates to receive funding for a WIOA-qualified program. DWS uses Work Keys to help candidates identify their strengths and find a career match. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is the Energy Transition Act (ETA) Displaced Worker Assistance Fund, and do I qualify for it? <\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>According to DWS, the ETA Displaced Worker Assistance Fund was established for any New Mexico resident who was terminated from employment, or whose contract was terminated due to the abandonment of a New Mexico facility producing electricity resulting in the displacement of workers.<\/p>\n<p>The ETA requires displaced workers must have lived in an \u201caffected community\u201d (defined as a 100-mile radius of an electricity-producing facility that closed) and the company they worked for had at least 40 workers impacted by the closure. Workers who were displaced by the closing of the PNM San Juan Generating Station, Westmoreland San Juan Mine, Savage Services, or were employed by AIM Staffing, Inc. are eligible to receive funding for Job Training (JT) under the provisions of the ETA.  <\/p>\n<p>According to the DWS website, workers must apply in person at: <\/p>\n<p>New Mexico Workforce Connection<br \/>\n401 E. 30th Street, Suite 280<br \/>\nFarmington, NM <\/p>\n<p>To complete the application, you must bring the following with you:<br \/>\n\u2022 Driver&#8217;s License, State Issued ID, or Tribal ID<br \/>\n\u2022 Proof of residence currently or at time of layoff (gas, electric, water, auto insurance, or phone bill that shows your address)<br \/>\n\u2022 If you previously worked for AIMS Staffing, Inc. you must bring your layoff notification letter<br \/>\n\u2022 Questions regarding the Displaced Worker Assistance Fund may be sent to ETA.Support@dws.nm.gov. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_0'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h2>Uranium Reclamation FAQs<\/h2><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is the history of uranium in New Mexico?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Between the 1950s and 1980s, uranium mining was a significant industry in New Mexico. Over the past 30 years, New Mexico has taken many steps to clean up uranium sites that are often overlooked. In the 1990s, New Mexico developed a regulatory framework to address uranium mine cleanup and contamination issues. Billions of dollars have been invested (or secured for investment) into uranium cleanup; however, addressing all the aspects of uranium contamination will likely take multiple decades. Site reclamation is a long process that takes several years, and New Mexico has hundreds!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: How do you clean up uranium contamination?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>The preferred methodology involves physically removing all radiologically contaminated waste materials from the site and disposing of it at a monitored facility or an onsite repository. The alternative methodology involves disposing of unprocessed ore or contaminated waste materials into an abandoned underground mine that has been vetted for safety regarding local residents.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is considered a site?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>A site is any mine or extraction facility or discrete, physically separate parcel of land or lands disturbed by mining or uranium extraction, or any building or structure or portion thereof.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is Reclamation?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Reclamation is a set of measures during and after a mining operation designed to mitigate the disturbance of affected areas and permit areas and, to the extent practicable, provide for the stabilization of a permit area following closure. This will minimize future impact to the environment from the mining operation. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is the environmental risk of uranium?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Radioactive particulate matter from mine and mill sites can leach into air and water, thus becoming a hazard to human health. This leaching can also cause harm to local ecosystems and wildlife. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is exposure?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>Exposure is the amount of external gamma radiation received from the surface of a proposed or new mine site, soil pile, waste rock pile, stockpile, ore pile, or similar feature. Main pathways to uranium exposure include dust inhalation and drinking water contamination.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: When is cleanup of a site considered finished?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>According to the &#8220;Joint Guidance for the Cleanup and Reclamation of Existing Uranium Mining Operations in New Mexico,&#8221; published by NMED and EMNRD in 2016, a site is considered &#8220;under reclamation&#8221; when the radiation levels are compliant with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 192.12, 40 CFR 192.32 and 10 CFR 40(&#8220;5\/15 standard&#8221;) and remedial actions provide reasonable assurance that radium-226 levels and gamma radiation levels are safe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item level_1'><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_title'><i class='fas fa-chevron-right' aria-hidden='true'><\/i><h3>: What is a Responsible Party?<\/h3><\/div><div class='nmenv_accordion_item_body'>\n<p>A responsible party (RP) is a person, business, government entity, etc. that is required to submit an abatement plan or who submits an abatement plan pursuant to this part.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please contact <a href=\"mailto:miori.harms@env.nm.gov\">uranium.coordinator@state.nm.gov<\/a>&nbsp;with any questions or comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Please contact uranium.coordinator@state.nm.gov&nbsp;with any questions or comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full_width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-91","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":149,"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91\/revisions\/149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.env.nm.gov\/former-mines-mills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}