Water Education Foundation
This is just one post in the Colorado River & the Southwest Category
Click here to view all posts

Secretary Salazar announces decision to withdraw public lands near Grand Canyon from new mining claims

Posted by: Maven on January 10, 2012 at 6:49 am

From the U.S. Department of the Interior:

“Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced his decision to protect the iconic Grand Canyon and its vital watershed from the potential adverse effects of additional uranium and other hardrock mining on over 1 million acres of federal land for the next 20 years.

Secretary Salazar’s decision will provide adequate time for monitoring to inform future land use decisions in this treasured area, while allowing currently approved mining operations to continue as well as new operations on valid existing mining claims.

“A withdrawal is the right approach for this priceless American landscape,” Salazar said. “People from all over the country and around the world come to visit the Grand Canyon. Numerous American Indian tribes regard this magnificent icon as a sacred place and millions of people in the Colorado River Basin depend on the river for drinking water, irrigation, industrial and environmental use. We have been entrusted to care for and protect our precious environmental and cultural resources, and we have chosen a responsible path that makes sense for this and future generations.” … “

Continue reading this press release from the Department of Interior by clicking here.

January 10, 2012 · Filed Under Colorado River & the Southwest

Comments

Leave a Reply