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THREAD: The Trump administration released its recommendations for bailing out foreign-owned uranium companies that want to mine near the Grand Canyon. https://www.energy.gov/strategy-restore-american-nuclear-energy-leadership
The important bit is buried on pg 19: "expand access to
uranium deposits on federal lands.... and consider categorical exclusions for uranium mineral exploration and development activities."
CXs are the environmental equivalent of an "Advance to Boardwalk" card.
uranium deposits on federal lands.... and consider categorical exclusions for uranium mineral exploration and development activities."
CXs are the environmental equivalent of an "Advance to Boardwalk" card.
That single line is what @SecBernhardt will use to justify not only lifting the Obama-era ban on new uranium claims in the Grand Canyon watershed, but give companies a fast track to drilling that threatens the entire existence of the Havasupai people. https://www.hcn.org/articles/indigenous-affairs-mining-uranium-mining-threatens-our-home-the-grand-canyon
Here's more from @GrandCanynTrust explaining why uranium mining at the canyon is both unnecessary and dangerous: https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/blog/new-report-examines-uranium-mining-grand-canyon-region
And here's a piece from @azcentral on how the seeps and springs around the Grand Canyon are all connected in ways that scientists do not understand. Once there's uranium contamination, it cannot be stopped, and we have NO IDEA where it will go. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-best-reads/2017/03/08/uranium-mining-near-grand-canyon-safe-answer-may-water/98816536/
It's worth revisiting my conversation with Grand Canyon Trust on all of this from 2018. All of the warnings and risks here are still in play, possibly more so, after today's report. https://westernpriorities.org/2018/01/12/uranium-at-the-grand-canyon-and-bears-ears/
Finally, all of this is WILDLY unpopular. The 2020 @RockiesProject poll found 77% of Arizona voters, and 71% of Western voters, oppose new mining around the Grand Canyon.
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2020/2020-conservation-in-the-west-poll-data/2020%20Western%20States%20-%20Interview%20Schedule_COMBINED.pdf
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2020/2020-conservation-in-the-west-poll-data/2020%20Western%20States%20-%20Interview%20Schedule_COMBINED.pdf
As my boss just said, @SecBernhardt and the Trump administration could have easily taken this opportunity to take uranium mining at the Grand Canyon off the table forever. They took a huge step in the other direction today.
https://westernpriorities.org/2020/04/23/response-to-trump-administrations-nuclear-fuel-working-group-recommendations/
https://westernpriorities.org/2020/04/23/response-to-trump-administrations-nuclear-fuel-working-group-recommendations/
