Protect Threatened Species from Uranium Mining in New Mexico
- by: Animal Advocates
- recipient: Department of the Interior, Secretary Sally Jewell
The biggest uranium mine in the United States is being planned by a joint venture of two corporations: Strathmore Minerals of Canada and Sumitomo of Japan. The proposed Roca Honda underground uranium mine is in the Mount Taylor District, which is part of the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, is located in Cibola and McKinley Counties of New Mexico.
The Cibola National Forest in Mount Taylor is home to threatened and endangered Mexican spotted owls and rare peregrine falcons, listed as endangered since 1986. Additionally, there are deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, black bear, mountain lion, and turkey; an array of sensitive birds including small European falcons (kestrels) and golden eagles and small mammals can also be found throughout most of the District.
Seventy acres of land in this district has been designated by the federal government as Native American traditional cultural property.
The mine plans on extracting 28 million pounds of uranium, a radioactive heavy metal. There are concerns that waste piles and toxic heavy-metal materials could make their way into ground and surface water. Former uranium miners contend a mining operation would imperil the area’s water supply and quality. Previous uranium mining left wokers sickened and the landscape scarred.
We ask the United States Department of the Interior to ban uranium mining in this National Forest, and protect threatened and endangered species, as well as people. Tell the Forest Service not to issue permits for mining and drilling in this previously designated area.
Department of the Interior
Sally Jewell
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
Phone: (202) 208-3100
E-Mail: feedback@ios.doi.gov
Web: Feedback form
The biggest uranium mine in the United States is being planned by a joint venture of two corporations: Strathmore Minerals of Canada and Sumitomo of Japan. The proposed Roca Honda underground uranium mine is in the Mount Taylor District, which is part of the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, is located in Cibola and McKinley Counties of New Mexico.
The Cibola National Forest in Mount Taylor is home to threatened and endangered Mexican spotted owls and rare peregrine falcons, listed as endangered since 1986. Additionally, there are deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, black bear, mountain lion, and turkey; an array of sensitive birds including small European falcons (kestrels) and golden eagles and small mammals can also be found throughout most of the District.
Seventy acres of land in this district has been designated by the federal government as Native American traditional cultural property.
The mine plans on extracting 28 million pounds of uranium, a radioactive heavy metal. There are concerns that waste piles and toxic heavy-metal materials could make their way into ground and surface water. Former uranium miners contend a mining operation would imperil the area’s water supply and quality. Previous uranium mining left wokers sickened and the landscape scarred.
We ask the United States Department of the Interior to ban uranium mining in this National Forest, and protect threatened and endangered species, as well as people. Tell the Forest Service not to issue permits for mining and drilling in this previously designated area.
Department of the Interior
Sally Jewell
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240
Phone: (202) 208-3100
E-Mail: feedback@ios.doi.gov
Web: Feedback form
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