Just days before the annual celebration of National Public Lands Day, 50 Arizona business associations and small businesses have sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, voicing support for a proposed 20-year moratorium on new uranium mining near Grand Canyon National Park. The state’s national parks, monuments and other public lands they say are “powerful engines of Arizona’s economy.” In a related effort, over 200 small businesses from across Arizona have signed and sent postcards … [Read more...] about Group Supporting Uranium Mining Moratorium
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Sportsmen Want Permanent Uranium Mining Ban
The U.S. House of Representatives has included a provision in a spending bill that would short-circuit a 2-year-old ban on new uranium mining covering one million acres of public lands surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park. But local businesses and sportsmen say that protecting these lands from new uranium mining is critical for supporting hunting, fishing, and tourism jobs in the region. The mining “rider” is included in the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for FY2012, … [Read more...] about Sportsmen Want Permanent Uranium Mining Ban
Moratorium on Uranium Mining Extended
The federal government today extended a moratorium on new mining claims at the Grand Canyon. The extension will be in place for six months, said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The Interior Secretary cited concerns about water, air quality and scenery for the moratorium. Salazar has said he and the Obama administration prefer a 20 year ban on new mining claims but they are still studying the issues. Mining groups are critical of the decision, saying more uranium mining is needed to … [Read more...] about Moratorium on Uranium Mining Extended
Uranium Mining Tied to Regional Economy
Mining companies and local residents are awaiting Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s final decision to allow or ban hard rock mining for the next 20 years on approximately one million acres on the Arizona Strip north of Grand Canyon National Park. Surges in the price of uranium from about $10 per pound in 2003, to $50 per pound today are the reason behind more than 5,000 mining claims filed within the past five years. While most mined uranium is used for electricity production in nuclear … [Read more...] about Uranium Mining Tied to Regional Economy
