Striking It Rich in Northern Arizona: The On-Again/Off-Again Battle of Preserving the Grand Canyon and Mining for Uranium

Abstract

The Grand Canyon has developed into the majestic landmark that it is today over the course of six million years of geological activity and erosion by the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon extends 277 river miles and 10-18 miles wide from the North Rim to the South Rim,2 and is situated among the 1,217,403.32 acres (1,904 sq. miles) that make up the Grand Canyon National Park. Exposed rocks at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are nearly two billion years, and the oldest discovered artifacts date as far back as 12,000 years. The park is also home to seven endangered species and 20 species of special concern. In September 2011 alone, the Grand Canyon National Park hosted 410,636 visitors logging a combined total of 6,522,966 recreational hours at the park. These isolated facts clearly indicate the Grand Canyon is the ideal location for an activity that brings consequences of chemical and radiation hazards, water contamination, mineral depletion, endangerment to plant and animal species, and disturbance to American Indian cultural resources. Or at least that is the impression the proposed legislation, Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act of 2011, leaves as it would allow companies to explore and develop uranium mining just north of the Grand Canyon and south of the Arizona Utah/State line in an area known as the Arizona Strip.