Mining the Grand Canyon?

Deadline Wednesday: Tell the BLM to ban destructive uranium mining at the Grand Canyon

1,100 claims threaten these priceless lands and waters. The precious lands and vital watershed of the Grand Canyon are threatened by 1,100 mining claims within five miles. Submit a public comment to support a 20-year ban and protect the Grand Canyon from the uranium mining rush. Click here to submit a comment.

Dear Friend,

Uranium mining rips up huge tracts of land to extract radioactive material for use in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.¹

For the past two years, the Grand Canyon has been protected from these ravages. But now, the temporary mining moratorium is set to expire.

The Grand Canyon's fragile ecosystem, stunning beauty, and vital water supply are threatened by 1,100 new mining claims that have been filed within five miles of this priceless "crown jewel."

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering a 20-year ban on mining to protect the Grand Canyon's entire one-million acre watershed. But there are other proposals on the table, and industry lobbyists are encouraging BLM to open the floodgates for the uranium mining rush. It's essential that we urge the BLM to protect the Grand Canyon.

Tell the Bureau of Land Management: Ban uranium mining at the Grand Canyon. Submit a public comment before the Wednesday deadline.

The high price of uranium makes its extraction extremely lucrative for mining companies, but shockingly, the practice is regulated by the antiquated 1872 Mining Law which has no environmental standards to limit the devastation and radioactive damage that results to wildlife, soil, ground and surface water. In fact, the law actually makes exploitative mining a priority over all other uses of public lands.

The legacy of mining in the Grand Canyon has already wrought lasting damage to surrounding areas and tribal communities, who have banned mining on all their lands.

If mining companies are allowed to move ahead with their new claims, the damage to the local wildlands and habitat would be extreme. And with the huge risk that polluted water will run into the Colorado river — which supplies water to cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Tucson — this mining literally poses a risk to the health of nearly 30 million people.²

Tell BLM: Ban uranium mining at the Grand Canyon. Submit a public comment before the Wednesday deadline.

It's tragic that, as we observe the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster this week, and as the Fukushima disaster continues to unfold in Japan, the thirst for nuclear energy and power would now threaten one of our most precious places, and millions of people who depend on it.

The two-year ban came as a result of intense public pressure to stop dangerous uranium mining. That's what we need to help show again. Please submit a public comment now.

Thank you for protecting one of our most precious places.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. "Uranium Mining 101," EarthWorks Action
2. The Grand Canyon Uranium Rush," New York Times, March 8, 2011

Ask Congress for Solar Power Now!

From the sun-drenched desert lands of California, Arizona and Nevada to solar hotspots in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, America's southwestern states are blessed with ample renewable solar energy.

The Obama Administration thankfully is moving forward on plans for a vast array of solar projects in the American southwest, and we need your help to make sure it is done right from the start – take action today!

Along with other renewables like wind and geothermal, solar development is critical to achieving our nation's energy and climate goals. But solar development can also have huge impacts on the landscape, making it all the more important that solar projects are carefully located.

The Wilderness Society is leading the effort to ensure that while our nation develops sustainable energy sources, we also protect environmentally fragile places from the development of those renewable sources.

By prioritizing development in already-degraded areas or areas lacking special natural values, we can protect sensitive lands and speed good projects by avoiding conflicts. Now is the time to set the stage for responsible renewables development, and you can be a part of the solution!

Thank you for taking action, and making a difference.

Sincerely,

Kathy Kilmer
The Wilderness Society

The northern leopard frog may be smaller than a cup of tea, but this tiny amphibian is in big trouble. Once prevalent throughout North America, threatened northern leopard frogs are put at an even greater risk by endosulfan -- a deadly pesticide that’s been banned in at least sixty countries, but not in the U.S. Help protect northern leopard frogs and human health. Urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take endosulfan off the market. The EPA is only accepting comments on a proposed endosulfan ban until this Monday (June 29th), so please take action today. Endosulfan is a neurotoxic organochlorine pesticide -- similar to DDT and other insecticides that have been banned in the U.S. for decades. It has a wide range of environmental and health risks to birds and other wildlife, but threatened northern leopard frogs are especially vulnerable to its effects. In one recent scientific study, a low dose of endosulfan was enough to kill 84% of leopard frog tadpoles that came in contact with it. According to the study’s lead author, Rick Relyea, “Endosulfan appears to be about 1,000-times more lethal to amphibians than other pesticides that we have examined.” [1] Endosulfan is banned across the European Union and in many other countries. However, the companies that make this deadly poison have managed to keep their dangerous product on American shelves. It is time for U.S. authorities to put human health and the safety of our environment ahead of profits for the chemical companies! Please take action now. Frogs aren’t the only ones threatened by endosulfan’s continued use. This deadly poison also poses human health risks -- particularly for the farm workers who apply the poison to tomatoes, tobacco, apples and other crops. Endosulfan can cause many adverse health effects. At low doses, endosulfan exposure has been linked to hormone system disruption, autism, Parkinson’s disease and other birth defects. At higher levels, endosulfan can cause headaches, vomiting, convulsions and -- in extreme cases -- unconsciousness and even death. Endosulfan's risks to our health and our wildlife are unacceptable. Please urge the EPA to get endosulfan off our shelves today. Thanks in advance for making a difference on this vital issue. With your help, we can send a loud, strong message to the EPA that our frogs, our health and our environment are worth protecting. Sincerely, Caroline Kennedy Senior Director of Field Conservation Defenders of Wildlife P.S. We only have a few days to make our voices heard on this issue. Please take action right now to protect our frogs and our health by getting this deadly poison off the shelves. Note [1] http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/pesticides-frogs-47111403