Should we protect the land (and ban uranium mining) around the Grand Canyon?
Bill Summary
This bill protects over 1 million acres of federal land in Arizona from entry, appropriation, and disposal under public land laws, mining laws, and mineral and geothermal leasing. Sponsor: Rep. Raul Grijalva (Democrat, Arizona, District 3)
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Opponents say
• “Rep. Grijalva is pursuing his misguided quest to permanently lockup more than a million acres in Northern Arizona, harm education, kill jobs, infringe on private property rights and undermine American energy security” - Paul Goser (Republican, Arizona, District 4)
• “We’ve seen a dramatic decline in the robustness of the nuclear infrastructure — we no longer have U.S. technology in enrichment, our sole conversion plant shut down and the uranium mining industry has been in decline… That is what is creating what we see as a real gap in our industrial base.” - Paul Goranson, COO of Energy Fuels, on the importance of uranium mining
• “Today’s federal strategy lays out a blueprint for America to once again be a leader in the critical minerals sector… As with our energy security, the Trump Administration is dedicated to ensuring that we are never held hostage to foreign powers for the natural resources critical to our national security and economic growth.” - Interior Secretary David Bernhardt
• “We’ve seen a dramatic decline in the robustness of the nuclear infrastructure — we no longer have U.S. technology in enrichment, our sole conversion plant shut down and the uranium mining industry has been in decline… That is what is creating what we see as a real gap in our industrial base.” - Paul Goranson, COO of Energy Fuels, on the importance of uranium mining
• “Today’s federal strategy lays out a blueprint for America to once again be a leader in the critical minerals sector… As with our energy security, the Trump Administration is dedicated to ensuring that we are never held hostage to foreign powers for the natural resources critical to our national security and economic growth.” - Interior Secretary David Bernhardt
Proponents say
• “We can’t keep going through these cycles of fighting over whether to protect the most sensitive places on Earth. We need to make a decision, here and now, that the Grand Canyon will forever be safe from the impacts of uranium mining… That’s why I introduced this bill, and that’s why I’m moving it forward as chair of the Natural Resources Committee. It’s time to put an end to the questions around the Grand Canyon’s future. All of us are up here speaking today because we join in choosing the sustainable path.” - Rep. Raul Grijalva (Democrat, Arizona, District 3)
• “After the extractive industries mine away our natural resources, they should clean up their mess. But uranium mining has had a toxic impact across the southwest, leaving behind thousands of abandoned mine sites on the Navajo Nation leaving taxpayers on the hook for cleanup… Just yesterday I met with several Navajo members who lost family members to the toxic effects of uranium mining and who themselves are suffering with resulting health problems. We cannot allow people to suffer from these preventable impacts simply to do the bidding of the mining industry, and Chairman Grijalva’s bill will protect the Grand Canyon ecosystem and the people who call it home” - Rep. Deb Haaland (Democrat, New Mexico, District 1)
• “Uranium mining throughout northern Arizona has impacted the health and wellbeing of families across the region, and communities are still grappling with the legacy of this activity decades later… I am proud to work with my colleagues to protect my constituents and the Grand Canyon, which is an economic driver that contributes billions to Arizona’s economy. We cannot allow these precious lands to be turned over to mining operations that could irreparably harm the area.” - Rep. Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, Arizona, District 1)
• “After the extractive industries mine away our natural resources, they should clean up their mess. But uranium mining has had a toxic impact across the southwest, leaving behind thousands of abandoned mine sites on the Navajo Nation leaving taxpayers on the hook for cleanup… Just yesterday I met with several Navajo members who lost family members to the toxic effects of uranium mining and who themselves are suffering with resulting health problems. We cannot allow people to suffer from these preventable impacts simply to do the bidding of the mining industry, and Chairman Grijalva’s bill will protect the Grand Canyon ecosystem and the people who call it home” - Rep. Deb Haaland (Democrat, New Mexico, District 1)
• “Uranium mining throughout northern Arizona has impacted the health and wellbeing of families across the region, and communities are still grappling with the legacy of this activity decades later… I am proud to work with my colleagues to protect my constituents and the Grand Canyon, which is an economic driver that contributes billions to Arizona’s economy. We cannot allow these precious lands to be turned over to mining operations that could irreparably harm the area.” - Rep. Tom O’Halleran (Democrat, Arizona, District 1)
- In New Video, Arizonans Urge Permanent Grand Canyon Protection Ahead of Expected Vote on Rep. Grijalva's "Grand Canyon Centennia
- Chair Grijalva Formally Introduces Bill to Protect Grand Canyon Area From New Mining Claims (Press Release)
- Trump administration signals support for uranium mining that could touch Grand Canyon (The Hill)
- Bill to ban new uranium mining claims near the Grand Canyon passes House committee (AZ Central)
- CBO Cost Estimate H.R. 1373 (Congressional Budget Office)
- This week: House to vote on Turkey sanctions bill (The Hill)
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