Two recent online articles address the contentious topic of future uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region. Both are linked below. The first is an opinion piece by two of the five Grand Canyon National Park superintendents I have had the privilege of serving with during my years at the Grand Canyon Association. Their reasoned voices deserve to be heard in this debate, and they come down firmly against mineral extraction.
The second article focuses on a dubious claim by DOI Secretary Ryan Zinke that includes an Obama-era court victory against the uranium mining industry as one of Zinke’s major accomplishments during his first year as secretary. The falsehood is especially disturbing given Zinke’s cozy relationship with the extraction industry and his tireless efforts to open up public lands for such activities.
Perhaps with enough public pressure, he will finally take seriously the “protection” clause in his mandate as the head of the DOI and not have to borrow shamelessly from successes of others when he reports out on his department’s record.
Huffington Post: Ryan Zinke Takes Credit For Obama-Era Fight To Protect Grand Canyon From Mining
