Judge blocks uranium exploration near Grand Canyon

We've got some good news from near the Grand Canyon. Late Friday a judge blocked uranium exploration near the national monument.

Of course we'll highlight the quote of one of our own from this story:

"The Grand Canyon is too important for the Forest Service to give short shrift to the possible and significant negative impacts of uranium mining exploration," said Sandy Bahr, conservation outreach director for the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter.

"The Forest Service should take a hard look at the impacts and the public should have an opportunity to review and comment on this mining exploration," Bahr said. "We are pleased that the judge recognized the importance of protecting the Canyon and the possible significant impacts this exploration could have."

There had been a hearing on March 28 about this very issue - a hearing where  hundreds turned out to voice their opposition to the mining claims near the canyon. According to the Arizona chapter of the Sierra Club, the hearing saw a variety of concerned citizens, including Native Americans who voiced their their opposition while explaining the legacy issues that they have had to deal with for the last 50 years.

Uranium mining has quite the terrible legacy - especially for Native Americans. All you have to do is read this series from the LA Times about that.

Also at that hearing, the Superintendent of the Grand Canyon National Park, Steve Martin, said that uranium mining poses a "significant threat'" to the Grand Canyon, and on a scale of 1 to 10, gave it a 10.

Congrats to those who worked so hard for this decision!