Markey: Obama Admin. Says "Yes We Canyon" by Protecting Grand Canyon from Uranium Mining
WASHINGTON (January 9, 2011) - At a ceremony today with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announcing the protection of one million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon from more uranium mining, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, delivered the following remarks:
"In 2008, the President told Americans "Yes We Can".
"Today, the Obama administration is saying "Yes We Canyon".
"The Obama administration is recognizing that the Canyon isn't just a natural icon, it is a national treasure that deserves enduring respect.
Yet the fact that this step was even necessary speaks to the inanity of our mining laws, the mining of extractive industries, and the extremism of Congressional Republicans.
"In 2008, Democrats on the Natural Resources Committee passed a resolution, offered by Congressman Grijalva, who has been a tireless champion on this issue for years, calling for emergency protections of federal lands near the Grand Canyon National Park.
"This action forced the Bush Administration to withdraw the area from further mining.
"Secretary Salazar showed great leadership in ensuring that these protections continued and were improved.
"But our timeless canyon is now witnessing new senseless attacks, and must be protected anew.
"Today's action follows a feverish summer of raids against the Grand Canyon. New attempts have been launched by Congressional Republicans and mining special interests to extract more uranium on millions of acres around the Grand Canyon.
"In the late 1960s, the daredevil Evel Kneivel lobbied the United States Government to jump over the Grand Canyon on his motorcycle. Following these new calls for expanded uranium mining, jumping over the Grand Canyon has now become the second-craziest idea ever proposed about our nation's most iconic natural feature.
"Adding insult to injury, one of the largest uranium mines that Republicans want to open is owned by Russia's nuclear energy organization. That means the successor to the agency that presided over the Chernobyl disaster would be allowed to mine for uranium near one of America's most beloved national treasures.
"When families travel to see the Grand Canyon, they have a right to expect that the only glow they will see will come from the sun setting over the rim of this natural wonder - and not from the radioactive contamination that comes from uranium mining.
"And hikers do not want to see more signs like the one at Horn Creek in the Grand Canyon, which warns visitors not to drink the uranium-tainted water "unless death by thirst is the only other option" because the levels of radiation in the water far exceed EPA limits for public health.
"Contaminating American fam
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