Sandy Bahr (602) 999-5790 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Sierra Club joined U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva, Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee; leaders from Indigenous nations; local elected officials; veterans; and conservation groups in supporting H.R.1373 - Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act. The bill is sponsored by Congressman Grijalva and now co-sponsored by nearly 100 other members of Congress, including Representatives O’Halleran, Gallego, Kirkpatrick, and Stanton from Arizona.
The Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, will make the 20-year mining moratorium established in 2012 permanent. All told, the legislation would protect approximately one million acres of public lands north and south of the Grand Canyon from toxic mining.
Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Director Sandy Bahr, who spoke at a press conference on the bill today, released the following statement:
“Sierra Club thanks Rep. Grijalva for moving forward with this important legislation and for his strong and continued support and leadership for protecting Grand Canyon. We also want to thank the Tribal Nations, including Havasupai, Hopi, and Navajo, among others, who have been and would be most affected by uranium mining. Their advocacy and stewardship for these lands has been unwavering.
Mining in the Grand Canyon region is a threat to the people, land, water, and wildlife that make this place so extraordinary. Grand Canyon is more than just a beautiful place and a photo op. Grand Canyon is more than just a place for one of the best hikes of your life. Grand Canyon is more than diverse ecosystems of plants and animals. Grand Canyon is a wonder, a magical place that deserves our utmost respect and care.
That is why we are thrilled that Rep. Grijalva is putting forth this legislation to permanently limit mining on public lands surrounding Grand Canyon. We urge every member of the House and Senate, including Arizona’s two U.S. senators, to support this much-needed measure to protect public lands and one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. Protecting this special place is a legacy upon which we all can agree.”
###
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.