Blog: Uranium Mining Opposition is Loud and Clear in Coconino County, Home of the Grand Canyon

The second largest county in the United States, Coconino County is home to rich natural resources, including the Grand Canyon. The county has been actively opposing uranium mining in the Grand Canyon and its watersheds since the early 1940s, and the issue is consistently on the federal legislative agenda of the Coconino County board of supervisors.  

HECHO sat down with Coconino County Supervisor, Elizabeth Archuleta and Coconino County Public Affairs Director, Eric Peterson, to learn about the advocacy work the county does to protect and preserve what is largely considered a national treasure, the Grand Canyon.

HECHO: Supervisor Archuleta and Mr. Peterson, can you give us a bit of context as to the history Coconino County has with uranium mining?

EA: Land and space are important values Coconino County residents share because of our proximity to the Grand Canyon. These shared values are what drives the county in active opposition to uranium mining in and around the Grand Canyon. Both active and abandoned mines have set the stage for the advocacy work that Coconino County has undertaken.  

EP: Uranium mining has left a toxic legacy on the residents of Coconino County, with the mines causing innumerable health issues for community members, affecting both water and land. Additionally, the abandoned mines have still not been remediated. In the past, children played with the toxic mine tailings and ingested polluted water. When bad mining practices are implemented, the land cannot be rehabilitated and is lost to all who enjoyed it prior to the devastation.

HECHO: How do community members in Coconino County feel about uranium mining practices in and around the Grand Canyon?

 EA: We as a people in Coconino County, know the value of the land we are a part of in this great state. It is why as a community, we are deeply concerned about what is happening around the Grand Canyon and in our watershed. The majority of our community does not want to see harm done by extraction. Additionally, the Grand Canyon is a major economic driver for our county. We have a tourism and outdoor recreation based propelled by the Grand Canyon.

HECHO: What types of legislation has Coconino County passed to oppose uranium mining in the Grand Canyon and its watershed?

EP: Coconino County has been outspoken in actions to oppose uranium mining in the Grand Canyon and its watersheds for decades. In 2008, resolution 2008-09 was passed unanimously, supporting the removal of the Grand Canyon and its watersheds from mining operations and withdrawal from extraction permitting. In 2012, we supported the Interior Department’s 20 year removal of the Grand Canyon Watershed from mining, in 2018 we won passage of federal resolutions through the National Association of Counties for a policy position supporting robust remediation of abandoned uranium mines. This year, we reaffirmed the 2008-09 resolution to support the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and asked serious questions of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) on the Aquifer Protection Permit for the Canyon Mine, and opposed reissuance of the current permit. Uranium mining opposition and robust cleanup of the abandoned mines has been on our agenda for many years, and the county is determined to keep the issue on the ears and lips of federal and state policy-makers.

HECHO: When will Coconino County be satisfied in their efforts against uranium mining?

EA: Until we permanently withdraw the Grand Canyon watershed from uranium mining, until all 500 abandoned mines have been cleaned up, Coconino County won’t give up. Every action that we take on the environment has a consequence, and we must not only practice stewardship, but encourage a legacy of stewardship for future generations.

HECHO: What is your personal connection the Grand Canyon, and why are you committed to its protection and preservation?

EA: As a child, I learned of the beauty and magnificence of the Grand Canyon and that it is a very special place. When I visit the Grand Canyon, I’m reminded of my ancestors. The five generations of family who have walked the same trails I have, and have stood where I have stood. A lot of ancestral Latinos used the Colorado River for navigation, and that is an important part of our cultural history. Finally, when I think of Arizona, I immediately think of the Grand Canyon – it is that important to our state.

EP: When I visit the Grand Canyon, the natural beauty of this creation is awe inspiring. It has a solemn presence that draws you in. The Grand Canyon is a crown jewel, a world wonder, and presence. It brings people together and is an absolute gift. In Coconino County, stewardship is important to us. We value our public lands, and our environment. From the clean air that we breathe, to the water we drink, we are determined to keep the Grand Canyon pristine and grand.