July 22
The U.S. Interior Department has handed environmentalists a victory in
their battle against expanding uranium mining near the Grand Canyon in
Arizona.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced July 20 that he would set aside
nearly 1 million acres of federal land for two years while the department
evaluates whether to withdraw the lands from new mining claims for 20 years.
"I am calling for a two year ītime outī from all new mining claims in the
Arizona Strip near the Grand Canyon because we have a responsibility to
ensure we are developing our nationīs resources in a way that protects local
communities, treasured landscapes and our watersheds," Salazar said.
Environmental groups have urged for an end to uranium mining activities near
the Grand Canyon, citing concern the mining operations could contaminate the
watershed around the canyon, including streams that flow into the Colorado
River.
While Salazarīs two-year "set aside" would prohibit new mining claims within
the watershed around the Grand Canyon, it would not prohibit ongoing or
future mining operations on pre-existing claims. More than 10,000 existing
mining claims are located in the set-aside area.
Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Bruce Geiselman at
330-865-6172 or bgeiselman@crain.com
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