1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

**Subject: Oppose Uranium Mining Near the Grand Canyon** I am writing to express my strong opposition to the ongoing uranium mining at Canyon Mine, also known as Pinyon Plain Mine, which is located within the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument near Grand Canyon National Park. In December 2023, Energy Fuels Resources announced it had begun mining uranium at this site for the first time in the mine's nearly 40-year history. This action not only endangers the environment but also threatens the cultural heritage and sacred sites of the Havasupai Tribe, particularly Red Butte. The following points highlight my concerns: - **Threat to Sacred Sites**: The mine threatens Red Butte, a sacred mountain to the Havasupai Tribe, disrespecting the cultural and spiritual significance of this land. - **Environmental Risks**: The mine poses significant risks to the precious groundwater in the Grand Canyon region, including the Redwall-Muav Aquifer, which feeds the springs and seeps vital to the Grand Canyon ecosystem and the Colorado River. - **Radioactive Contamination**: The mine's operations risk spreading radioactive contamination, endangering wildlife and the surrounding environment. Water contaminated with uranium and arsenic is misted into the air, and radioactive dust from the ore pile can blow into the surrounding national monument. - **Impact on Local Communities**: The uranium ore extracted will be processed at the White Mesa Mill, near the Ute Mountain Ute community of White Mesa, further endangering Indigenous communities and their land. As someone who deeply values the Grand Canyon and its irreplaceable natural beauty, I believe it is our duty to protect this national treasure for future generations. The Grand Canyon is more than just a landmark; it is a symbol of the natural and cultural heritage of our nation. Allowing uranium mining in this area jeopardizes not only the environment but also the health and well-being of the people and wildlife who call this region home. I urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Justice and the U.S. Forest Service to take immediate action to halt the uranium mining at Canyon Mine. We must prioritize the preservation of the Grand Canyon over short-term economic gains and ensure that this sacred and iconic landscape is protected from irreversible harm. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.