Grand Canyon Ban on Mining Finalized

Yesterday, the Obama administration announced a new 20-year ban on mining on federal lands near Grand Canyon National Park.

Official say the Grand Canyon ban would allow current mining already in progress to continue.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made the announcement after a 1-million-acre area had been opened up for uranium mining by the Bush administration.

“The withdrawal maintains the pace of hard-rock mining, particularly uranium, near the Grand Canyon,” Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey said in a statement, “but also gives the department a chance to monitor the impacts associated with uranium mining in this area. It preserves the ability of future decision-makers to make thoughtful decisions about managing this area of national environmental and cultural significance based on the best information available.”

Arizona Republicans had slammed temporary bans imposed by Salazar in 2009 and again in 2011, arguing that hundreds of jobs will be lost.

The mining industry says the decision to implement the Grand Canyon ban was driven by politics, not by science.

“The administration’s announcement is not supported by the findings of its own impact analysis, which provided no evidence to justify a massive withdrawal of land,” National Mining Association President Hall Quinn said in a statement.

Environmentalists, though, are applauding the decision, noting that the Colorado River is the primary source of drinking water for 26 million Americans.

“Secretary Salazar has defended the Southwest’s right to plentiful, clean water and America’s dedication to one of our most precious landscapes,” said Dusty Horwitt, senior counsel for the Environmental Working Group.

“Despite significant pressure from the mining industry, the president and Secretary Salazar did not back down,” added Jane Danowitz, U.S. public lands director for the Pew Environment Group.

Salazar admits that uranium, a key component in nuclear reactors, is a critical part of a comprehensive energy strategy, but says the Grand Canyon is a precious national treasure that needs to be protected.

The Interior Department underscored the fact that the Grand Canyon ban wouldn’t affect 3,200 mining claims already staked in the area.

Supporters of the ban say any increase in mining jobs would not be worth risks to the Colorado River.  Also, a mining mishap could spell disaster for tourism.

Related articles

• Obama restricts access to another ‘low carbon’ energy source (junkscience.com)
• US bans new mining claims near Grand Canyon (newsok.com)