The president says no uranium mining will occur on sacred lands.
President Joe Biden declared nearly one million acres of tribal land at the Grand Canyon to be a national monument under the Antiquities Act. The designation protects the land from uranium mining, for which the Havasupai tribe has been lobbying.
There has not been active uranium mining on tribal lands since President Obama placed a moratorium on the area, but that will expire in 2032. With the new monument designation, any future mining development in the area is off-limits.
Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory said, “This land is sacred to tribal nations and indigenous peoples. Its sweeping plateaus and deep canyons share many of the features of the Grand Canyon. The land includes some of the most biodiverse habitats in the region, providing refuge for wildlife like bighorn sheep, bison, bald eagles, and songbirds. And the area’s meandering creeks and streams flow into the mighty Colorado River, a critical water supply to millions of people across the Southwest.”
This is the fifth national monument designation by the president, which curbs the development of energy fuels.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chair Mallory and members of the Council on Environmental Quality as they advise the president and his administration.
- For the president and his Cabinet members to seek God’s wisdom regarding conservation and energy production.
- For Native American tribal leaders as they work to protect their lands.
Sources: Washington Times, CNN
