Sacred N.M. Mountain Remains at Center of Uranium Fight, by R. Reese, The New York Times

It is true that people desperately need jobs, that our historical and sacred places should be maintained,and all health issues concerning people, and the environment need to be addressed. This article has all of these elements and more. The heated debate concerns whether a mining company (Rio Grande Resources Corp.) should be allowed to continue to delay cleaning up a mine that is dormant. This particular mine is located on Mount Taylor, in Grants, NM. The mine holds the nation’s largest uranium deposit. Mount Taylor is held sacred by many of the Pueblo tribes in the Southwest. Particularly the Hopi, Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni. The Navajo Nation also views the mountain as a sacred place. In addition, there are concerns involving health issues
“At the hearing, held by the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division, testimony was divided roughly equally between those who support the renewal of the company’s five-year standby permit, with an eye toward the local economic benefits that could come from reopening the mine, and those who oppose it out of concerns that contamination could worsen if the site remains un-remediated for another five years… Eric Jantz, an attorney with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center…noted that the New Mexico Environment Department has found elevated levels of nitrates and uranium in an old underground waste lagoon at the mine site, and expressed concern that delaying a comprehensive cleanup could put the environment further at risk.”

Steve Juanico of Acoma Pueblo stated: “ Everybody’s fighting for survival — we need that economic viability, But it’s short lived. … We really need to protect our water resources. Are we doing the right thing?” One remedy to fight contamination that was offered by the company according to Joe Lister, who manages the Mount Taylor mine site for the company:
“… involves planting salt cedar trees to soak up contaminated water. The trees will then be uprooted and destroyed.”
Nadine Padilla, who is of Navajo and Pueblo ancestry, is also a member of the Multi-Cultural Alliance for a Safe Environment stated; “ We’re not only concerned about the quality of the environment and possible contamination of the site; we’re also concerned because it’s a sacred place, a place that tribes regard as holy.”
Read the article and share your thoughts with us.
“Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.” ~ Cree Prophecy ~

Photos:
top: Mt. Taylor at sunset
courtesy of L.Dietershagen-Sanchez
bottom: Ceremony for Mother Earth. photo Google Images.