Bill Would Stop Uranium Mining Near Grand Canyon National Park

[bananas]

Source: ENS

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona, January 26, 2009 (ENS) - Congressman Raul Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat, has reintroduced legislation prohibiting new uranium claims, exploration, and mining across one million acres of public lands watersheds surrounding Grand Canyon National Park.

The lands covered by the bill are the last remaining public lands not protected from new uranium development around the park, which extends for 277 miles along the Colorado River in Arizona and receives some five million visitors a year.

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"Uranium mining poses one of the greatest risks to Grand Canyon National Park in decades," said Roger Clark of the Grand Canyon Trust. "It threatens to contaminate park waters with radioactive waste, poses public-health problems for local residents and downstream communities dependent upon the Colorado River, and endangers the park's unique ecosystems."

Concerns about resulting radiological and heavy-metal contamination of surface and groundwater discharging into Grand Canyon National Park and the Colorado River have been expressed by former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, who was confirmed earlier this month as Secretary of Homeland Security.

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Read more: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2009/2009-01-26-093.asp

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Let's hope this passes!

[sandnsea]

1. Can't believe we need legislation at all

The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite - I didn't think we would ever ever have to worry about them being plundered.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Ya think it's big now...

[pleah]

3. K&R I hope they have the good sense to pass this bill.