Smoke Signals 9
Tribe, Environmentalists Fear Bush's Plan will
Lead to Uranium Mine Near Grand Canyon
AUGUST 15, 2001
FLAGSTAFF, AZ. (AP) - The Si
erra Club claims land near the Grand
Canyon that is sacred to the
Havasupai Tribe is a target of the
George W. Bush administration's plan
to expand energy production.
The Tribe itself is at least equally
upset about the possibility, though the
company owning the uranium site in
question says it has no plan to open
the mine.
"That's our aboriginal homeland,"
said Matthew Putesoy, the Tribe's
Vice Chairman. "We claim that as our
origination, where the very first
Havasupai people were born ... from
one of our great-great grandmothers.
Grandmother Canyon, we call her.
"We say we are tied to the universe
from that area," said Putesoy, whose
Tribe's lands border the sprawling
Grand Canyon on the south. "They
are drilling right in the abdomen of
our Mother Earth."
The President's energy plan calls for
1,300 new power plants across the
country by 2020 and for an expan
sion of nuclear power.
The Sierra Club said part of that
plan includes operating the Canyon
The President's energy plan
calls for 1,300 new power
plants across the country by
2020 and for an expansion
of nuclear power.
If 11
Mine 15 miles from the Grand Can
yon in the headwater drainage of
Havasu Creek. The site is within the
Kaibab National Forest.
The mine was been built a few years
ago but hasn't been operated. The
Forest Service approved its construc
tion after looking into its environmen
tal impact and the U.S. Supreme
Court rejected Tribal opposition in up
holding the permit.
Cathy Schmidlin, a public affairs
officer for the Kaibab Forest, said the
company that built the mine is de
funct and that International Uranium
Corp., which operates three mines in
Arizona, is the current owner.
Ron Hochstein, President and CEO
of International Uranium, said there
is no immediate cause for alarm.
"There is no plan to restart the can
yon mine at this time," he said. "Ura
nium prices have to improve signifi
cantly before we could consider re
starting that operation."
Hochstein declined to comment on
the Tribe's cultural concerns.
Nonetheless, Rob Smith of the Si
erra Club said the mine illustrates the
potential for problems for Arizona
under the Bush energy plan.
"The emphasis on building a lot of
new power plants means Arizona will
stand to be a big loser," said Smith.
"Arizona could become an energy
sacrifice zone if big power plants are
the main thrust of a national energy
policy. This means loss of natural and
cultural areas, using up our water,
polluting our air."
Smith, the club's southwestern rep
resentative in Phoenix, said Arizona
has another of the 21 natural areas
nationwide about which the club has
great concern.
That other one is the recently des
ignated Ironwood Forest National
Monument near Tucson in Southern
Arizona.
Asarco Inc., a giant producer of cop
per and other metals, wants to trade
land in order to expand a mine into
the monument. Environmentalists
contend doing so would harm the
habitat of an endangered species - the
desert pronghorn antelope.
Tucson-based Center for Biological
Diversity claims the land that Asarco
wants is critical to i ..traduction and
survival of the last population of
desert bighorn sheep.
Additionally, there are plans for a
power plant nearby and to run a
transmission line through the monu
ment, the Sierra Club pointed out.
Mexico City-based Grupo Mexico
acquired New York-based Asarco in
1999. The company's mining includes
operations in Montana and Arizona.
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A Tiny Dancer - This young man was moved by
the sounds of the Robert Cray Band and didn't hesitate to
show off his dance style.
Jammin' for Salmon
A Celebration of Salmon Cultures
E
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A Strong Persuader - Blues guitarist Robert
Cray, who began his career in the Northwest, brought his
personal brand of smooth sounds and feel good musical
style to the stage at this year's Jammin' for Salmon event
on Sunday, August 5. The event was held on the Wil
lamette River waterfront in downtown Portland and all pro
ceeds go towards raising awareness and money for the
preservation of the salmon.
Talented Grand Ronde Tribal
member Chuck Williams, an accom
plished professional photographer, is a
fixture at events that benefit Native
people and the area's natural resources.
"I Want
One of Those"
Native artist Jim
Jackson was just one of many vendors
who took the opportunity to show
their wares at this year's Jammin' for
Salmon event.
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Couples like this one took advantage of the music to create their own little
world in the middle of the crowd.