The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Wednesday endorsed a U.S. Department of the Interior proposal to withdraw more than 1 million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon from mining for the next 20 years.
Pointing to concerns about potential habitat loss if companies acted on the more than 3,000 uranium mining claims in the area, commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of the proposal.
“We are not taking mining on as an issue; we are taking on increased mining and the impact it has on wildlife in those areas,” said John Harris, a member of the commission.
The endorsement comes as the Interior Department seeks public comment on a draft environmental impact statement offering four alternatives for dealing with new mining claims near Grand Canyon. The department’s preferred alternative, and the one endorsed by the Game and Fish Commission, involves three large tracts south and north of the canyon.
Companies filed thousands of claims for mines near the canyon as uranium prices rose in recent years. In 2009, the Interior Department issued a two-year moratorium on new mining claims and exploration on 1 million acres.
Josh Avey, habitat branch chief for Game and Fish, told commissioners there was a possibility that populations of mule deer, pronghorn antelope, elk and desert bighorn sheep would lose habitat and become fragmented as mining companies built new roads ramped up operations.
Harris, who voted to endorse the Interior Department’s plan, said he was concerned about potential harm to seeps and springs vital to wildlife as well as the impact of new roads.
“I think those roads would be hauling hot and heavy,” he said.
Commission member Jack Husted voted against the endorsement, saying that blocking mining on public land could set a precedent leading to bans on hunting and other activities.
“It is a slippery slope when we block one activity out,” he said.
But commission member Norman Freeman said the department’s endorsement wasn’t taking an anti-mining stance but addressing impacts to wildlife. He noted that mines with pre-existing claims are allowed to continue.
“It is not in opposition to mining,” he said. “It is kind of like, let’s take a breath.”
tonto Joe posted at 1:10 am on Thu, Mar 31, 2011.
It's nice this writer loves the birds and the bees so much that she would stifle growth in the state. Most Mines have a certain lenght of tjme before they run out of material. If we quit mining we're giving up growth (which we need badly) that can't be replaceed in the next 20 years
k33j88 posted at 3:42 am on Thu, Mar 31, 2011.
One million acres to the ever-expanding federal bureaucracy. Another power grab at play. This didn't go to voter approval.
ChandlerAZGuy posted at 9:36 am on Thu, Mar 31, 2011.
This is good news, after the disaster in Japan you would think Uranium would be worthless. Finally someone in this state is doing the right thing.