One day after the NEI and National Mining Association filed a lawsuit against the federal government to reverse a decision that put a 20-year ban on uranium mining in Northern Arizona, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made statements supporting his position before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
“I feel very confident in our decision, and I think it’ll withstand any legal challenge that is being made,” Salazar said Tuesday.
The decision, reached by Salazar January 9th, pertains to one million acres of land surrounding the Grand Canyon and will affect the approximately 3,200 mining claims currently in the area. None of the land is in Grand Canyon National Park or the buffer zone protecting the park.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in a U.S. district court, argues that Salazar "lacks the legal authority to make withdrawals of public lands exceeding 5,000 acres." The industry also believes the decision is merely an "arbitrary agency action" under the Administrative Procedure Act, and therefore violating the National Environmental Policy act that – according to a unanimous 1989 Supreme Court Decision – requires a "hard look" at any withdrawal's consequences.
"These resources represent as much as 375 million pounds of uranium, approximately 40 percent of U.S. reserves and more than seven times current U.S. annual demand," the NEI said in a statement.
The lawsuit also believes the government relied on old and inaccurate information to make the decision.
"The proposed land withdrawal is designed to protect against situations and circumstances that no longer exist," said Richard Myers, Nuclear Energy Institute vice president for policy development, planning and supplier programs. "It is a mistake to judge today's uranium mining activities by practices and standards from 50 to 60 years ago. Yet that, apparently, is what the Interior Department has done in its final environmental impact statement."
Salazar, however, believes a withdrawal is the right move.
The ban “will allow us to develop the science relative to uranium mining,” he said. “That’s important for the 30–million–plus people who depend on the water supply from the Colorado River.”
Myers believes this sentiment is inaccurate. "Contrary to the assertions by the administration, today's environmental laws ensure that ore extraction and production at uranium mines have minimal environmental impact on the surrounding land, water and wildlife," he said.