Ignore the Koch Brothers' Cash and Protect the Grand Canyon!
- van: Aaron V.
- ontvanger: President Obama, U.S. Congress
The shady network of right-wing groups funded by the Koch Brothers have a new campaign: killing an effort to protect the Grand Canyon watershed from uranium mining.
Even though 80% of the public supports an effort to stop new uranium mines on 1.7 million acres of federally-owned land surrounding the Grand Canyon National Park, the Koch Brothers are pumping millions into efforts to kill the popular proposal.
Working with Havasupai, Hualapai, Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, Paiute, and Yavapai leaders, Arizona Congressman Raúl Grijalva has introduced the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument Act to protect springs and creeks that run into the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.
The Act would permanently ban new uranium mines on specific federal lands in the watershed. The need is significant: Water samples taken by the U.S. Geological Survey show that 15 springs and five wells in the watershed have already been contaminated with uranium due to mining. The Obama Administration has already protected these areas for the next 16 years, this bill would make the protection permanent.
Congress should ignore the Koch-funded campaign and support Rep. Grijalva's bill immediately! If Congress is unwilling to act, President Obama should declare this area a monument through the use of the Antiquities Act!
Please support efforts to permanently protect the Grand Canyon watershed from the pollution associated with uranium mining. The 1.7 million acres threatened by expanded uranium mining warrant immediate protection through the creation of the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument.
The need is significant. Water samples taken by the U.S. Geological Survey show that 15 springs and five wells in the watershed have already been contaminated with uranium due to mining.
These lands are already owned and managed by the federal government. Please take this simple, yet significant step to protect the lands and waters of one of our greatest natural treasures.
