Colorado House passes bill to protect state waters, communities, and lands from uranium mining pollution.
On the dawn of a new uranium mining boom, the Colorado House of Representatives passed strong clean water and environmental protections from toxic and radioactive uranium mining pollution with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 49-to-16.
The "Land and Water Stewardship Act" (H.B. 1161) is sponsored by Rep. John Kefalas (Fort Collins), Rep. Randy Fischer (Fort Collins), and Sen. Steve Johnson (R-Fort Collins).
"We shouldn't experiment on Colorado communities with uranium pollution. Now is the time to act with reason and caution." said Rep. Kefalas. "Colorado's future is at stake. We must ensure that uranium mining happens responsibly and that we protect our water, our environment, and our people from
pollution."
The Land and Water Stewardship Act would require mining companies conducting injection or "in-situ" uranium mining projects to restore groundwater quality to its original, pre-mining condition after or groundwater standards established for radioactive materials and toxic metals. Also, the bill requires all uranium mining projects to meet strong environmental and public
health protections as a "designated mining operation."
"Do we really want to put Colorado's water, wildlife, and lands up for collateral as we roll the dice on the new uranium boom?" said Pam Kiely legislative director for Environment Colorado. "Uranium is a big gamble for Colorado, but we can make it a safer bet by passing strong protections for our environment."
The bill comes in response to farmers and ranchers, landowners and others who have been fighting the Canadian company Powertech since last summer over the Centennial Mine, a proposed injection uranium project. Critics ranging from U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave to the Colorado Medical Society say the
Centennial Mine will jeopardize health, drinking water and rural lands.
"For generations, Colorado's farmers and ranchers have worked in harmony with the land," said Benjamin Waters, government relations representative for the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.
"Without sensible protections for our water and our land, uranium mining could upset that balance. With the passage of HB 1161, my farmers can rest well knowing we've passed important
protections for their water, their livelihood, and future generations."
Communities across the state are starting to see the front end of the uranium boom. Just this past month, new injection uranium mining projects popped up in Park County. And in Fremont County, local homeowners are seeing underground uranium claims being staked on properties and sometimes under homes.
"Hang on to your cowboy hats because the uranium boom is back," said Rep. Fischer. "We can't afford to let the uranium boom be a bust for Colorado communities. We need to protect our groundwater and our pristine lands from uranium mining pollution."
The boom could also leave behind toxic tailings on unspoiled mountains, river canyons, and streams. In fact, Uranium claims on public lands have jumped from 120 in 2003 to over 10,730 in 2007. The Dolores River Canyon, a proposed wilderness area northwest of Telluride, is littered with hundreds of uranium claims that threaten the natural beauty of the area.
Injection, open pit, and underground uranium mining can mar landscapes and contaminate the environment. The injection or in-situ leach uranium mining process involves injecting chemicals into aquifers to force out or leach radioactive uranium ore through the aquifer. All types of uranium mining can release toxic metals such as arsenic, selenium, and uranium, poisoning the
groundwater, surrounding landscape, and wildlife habitat.
A broad range of groups support the bill such as Colorado Counties Inc., the Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Colorado Medical Society, Environment Colorado, Information Network for Responsible Mining, Oil and Gas Accountability Project/Earthworks, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Sierra Club-Rocky Mountain Chapter, and Western Colorado Congress as well as grassroots citizen groups including the Alliance for Responsible Mining, Citizens Against Resource Destruction, Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, and Tallahassee Area Community.
