Tell Congress: Protect the Grand Canyon. Oppose the Biggs bill.
Stand near the rim of the Grand Canyon and the expanse of ancient red rock seems to go on forever. Yet beyond the horizon, something menacing lies in wait: nearby toxic uranium mining.
Mining is threatening one of America’s most iconic natural wonders.
Mining already poses a danger to one of America’s most iconic natural wonders, and mining companies have asked to expand their operations. Yet U.S. House Rep. Andy Biggs has proposed a bill that would make new protections for the Grand Canyon all but impossible.
Will you join Environmental Action in telling Congress to protect the Grand Canyon and oppose the Biggs bill?
Toxic uranium mining contaminates land, air and water.
For years, toxic uranium mining has contaminated the land and water in the greater Grand Canyon watershed.1 And, as you well know, what happens upstream doesn’t stay upstream.
Uranium mining spreads radioactive dust through the air, contaminating nearby rivers and streams. That’s a big problem in the dry Arizona desert, where each water source is crucial to the survival of indigenous wildlife and people who live there.2
New mining is prohibited in 1 million acres surrounding Grand Canyon National Park … for now. There are still nearly 600 active mining claims on federal lands around the Grand Canyon.3 The moratorium expires in a few years, and could be overturned by executive action at any time.
Take action to protect the Grand Canyon.
President Biden could prevent either outcome by declaring the federal lands around the park to be a national monument. Except, under the Biggs bill, he couldn’t do any such thing.4
The bill would take away the president’s power under the Antiquities Act to declare national monuments in Arizona. This is an authority held and exercised by every president since Teddy Roosevelt. In fact, Roosevelt used this very law to protect the Grand Canyon in 1908.5
We need to defeat the Biggs bill — soundly. Members of Congress must understand that when it comes to protecting our last great wild places, we refuse to go backward. And you can deliver that message.
We’re counting on Environmental Action supporters like you to join us in raising our voices against the holstering of a crucial tool for protecting the Grand Canyon and other natural wonders.
- “Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure,” Environment America Research & Policy Center, June 6, 2018.
- “Grand Canyon at Risk: Uranium Mining Threatens a National Treasure,” Environment America Research & Policy Center, June 6, 2018.
- “WATCH: Sen. Kelly’s Bill to Protect the Grand Canyon Gets Senate Hearing,” Office of Sen. Mark Kelly, June 7, 2022.
- “H.R.96 – Protecting Arizona from Federal Land Grabs Act,” Congress.gov, last accessed February 24, 2023.
- “The Grand Canyon and the Antiquities Act,” National Park Service, last accessed February 24, 2023.