Saturday, August 2, 2008

Energy policy: Nuclear Here's the lowdown on the recent lawsuit filed by several conservation groups asking for expanded analysis of impacts of uranium mining on near the Dolores River, from The Durango Herald. From the article: Conservation groups filed a lawsuit Thursday in federal court claiming that the Department of Energy needs to do more analysis on the impacts of proposed uranium mines near the Dolores River Canyon. The department is considering approving 38 uranium mines on 42 square miles of public lands in the area. The lawsuit claims that the department failed to adequately evaluate soil, water and habitat contamination threats as required by federal law. "The Department of Energy must thoroughly consider all of the consequences of vastly expanding its uranium leasing and mining program in western Colorado," said Brian Farnsworth with Information Network for Responsible Mining, in a news release. "The federal government cannot blindly stumble along with this proposal, which could permanently and irretrievably contaminate precious water, soil and wildlife habitat," Farns-worth added. Dolores Public Lands Manager Steve Beverlin declined to comment until seeing the lawsuit. "We try to balance use with protection of the existing resources," he said. "That's our mission."[...] In Colorado last year, mining claims on public lands rose to 10,730 from about 120 five years ago. The Dolores River area is the epicenter of Colorado's uranium boom, said Megan Corrigan, staff biologist with the Center for Native Ecosystems in Denver. In Dolores County, uranium claims rose from 396 in 2006 to 5,399 in 2007. In San Miguel County, claims were at 1,119 in 2006 and 2,633 in 2007. Conservation groups that filed the federal lawsuit include the Colorado Environmental Coalition, Information Network for Responsible Mining, Center for Native Ecosystems and Center for Biological Diversity. More Coyote Gulch coverage here. "cc" 8:53:39 AM

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