Since 2003 the prices for Uranium have risen from $3 per pound to more than $80 per pound.  This rise in prices, combined with analysts’ expectations that the prices will continue to rise, has triggered an unprecedented growth in mining claims in the vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park.  The potential harm to the Park from the development of uranium mines on and in its watersheds is enormous. 

More than 2,000 new mining claims have been filed in the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest in the last five years.  In addition, a similar number of claims have been filed on federal lands on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.  These claims are primarily BLM lands clustered in the drainage of Kanab Creek, from the edge of Grand Canyon National Park to the edge of the Kaibab Paiute Reservation.  Kanab Creek is a significant tributary that flows into the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park.  Of these 3,500 plus claims more than 800 are located within five miles of the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park.

In addition, on December 20, 2007 the Kaibab National Forest approved a Vane Minerals exploration project under categorical exclusion, without any significant environmental analysis, to drill 39 test holes this spring, some within two miles of the Tusayan Ruins visitor center.  If uranium is found, mining could begin as early as the end of this year. 

As a consequence, the Grand Canyon Program of the Grand Canyon Trust has launched a campaign to withdraw these lands around the Park and its watersheds from mining.  As a result of these efforts, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution on February 5 opposing uranium development in the vicinity of the Park and its watersheds, and Congressman Grijalva has announced that he will be holding committee hearings about the issue in the next few weeks. 

We hope to persuade Congress to introduce legislation to withdraw these areas from mining in the next six weeks.    Finally, the Trust will join the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club in filing a lawsuit challenging the approval of the Vane Minerals Exploration Project by categorical exclusion. 

Update March 12: On Friday, March 7 Governor Napolitano delivered a letter to Secretary of Interior Kempthorne formally requesting withdrawl of these lands from mineral entry. A copy of the letter is here.

Update May 5: Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Az) introduced legislation titled the Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2008. If passed, the legislation (H.R. 5583) would withdraw approximately 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon from mineral exploration under the 1872 Mining Act.

To view a map of the mining claims and proposed withdrawl areas click here.  (updated map April 9)

To view a copy of a Navajo Nation resolution opposing uranium mining click here.

To view a copy of a 2007 Arizona Game and Fish Department report on uranium mining click here.