Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities

Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** Coalition urges halt to uranium mining near Grand Canyon
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Thursday, February 1, 2024
Source: Wikimedia Commons ([link removed])

A coalition made up of 80 conservation and faith groups, Tribes, and scientists ([link removed]) are imploring the Biden administration and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to halt production at a uranium mine located just 7 miles south of Grand Canyon National Park ([link removed]) . The Pinyon Plain mine began operating in January and is within the 1.1-million-acre Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

Like most monument proclamations since 1996, the designation carved out protections ([link removed]) for valid, existing rights, including those for the Pinyon Plain mine. Energy Fuels, which owns and operates the mine, insists ([link removed]) its rights are valid. The mine covers 17 acres within the Kaibab National Forest, and was first permitted by the U.S. Forest Service in 1986.

The coalition argues that the Pinyon Plain mine poses an ongoing threat to local waterways in the Grand Canyon watershed and called on Governor Hobbs in a letter Monday ([link removed]) to rescind a state-approved water permit ([link removed]) for the mine. The groups are also calling on the Forest Service to conduct a new environmental impact statement for the Pinyon Plain mine ([link removed]) using new research that considers the input of local Tribes. “State and federal mine approvals, since the outdated, but still-in-force 1986 Environmental Impact Statement, have consistently favored mining
over public interests,” the groups wrote in their letter ([link removed]) .


** Quick hits
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Patagonia's profits are funding conservation—and politics

New York Times ([link removed])

BLM quietly scrapped updated drilling plan for New Mexico

Source NM ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

Coalition urges halt to uranium mining near the Grand Canyon

KNAU ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

Wyoming mining industry headed for showdown over private property rights

Cowboy State Daily ([link removed])

California is in a "snow drought," but new storms are on the way

Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])

"Smoking gun" documents show oil industry knew of climate danger as early as 1954

The Guardian ([link removed])

Colorado commits $20 million to purchase historic western slope water rights

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

The Northwestern Shoshone are restoring the Bear River Massacre site

High Country News ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” America is a great Nation because we choose to learn the good, the bad, and the full truth of the history of our country — histories and truths that we must preserve and protect for the next generation. This National Black History Month, as we remember where we have been, may we also recognize that our only way forward is by marching together.”

—President Joe Biden's Proclamation on National Black History Month ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@greatsanddunesnps ([link removed])
What's your favorite winter activity at Great Sand Dunes? Share #YourParkStory ([link removed]) in the comments!

Snowy Star Dune and Crestone Peaks in Morning Light
NPS/Patrick Myers

#GreatSandDunes ([link removed]) #Winter ([link removed]) #WinterActivities ([link removed]) #Dunes ([link removed]) #MorningLight ([link removed]) #FindYourPark ([link removed])

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