Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2008

CONTACT:
Elyssa Rosen, Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining, 775-224-7497

Statement of Jane Danowitz, Director, Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining

Interior Department Action Fails to Protect the Grand Canyon from Mining

"It is unfortunate that the administration today has attempted to tie the hands of Congress and thwart efforts to protect the Grand Canyon from uranium mining.

"In light of the dramatic rise in new mining claims within a stone’s throw of the Grand Canyon’s rim, the administration should be moving to halt more claim staking, not rescinding rules that allow for emergency protections.

"Ultimately, the best way to protect national treasures such as the Grand Canyon from uranium and other metal mining is for Congress to roll up its sleeves and commit to reforming the 1872 mining law in the coming year."

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Find out more:

Grand Canyon protection from mining about to end, Arizona Republic
Interior Dept. Changes Rule to Remove Congress Veto, New York Times
Policy Move Gives Mining Another Boost, Wall Street Journal
Bush rule limits Congress on drilling, mining, Associated Press