Protect the Grand Canyon!

The Grand Canyon National Park is the second-most visited national park in America. Therefore, it was no surprise in 2009 when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar decided to protect one million acres of land around the Grand Canyon by putting a halt to uranium mining. So currently, a mining moratorium is protecting the Grand Canyon, but this ban is going to expire soon.

Mining continues just outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park, and pollution from mining operations is threatening the Colorado River’s clean water. Not only does uranium mining pollute water, it also removes water from naturally occurring seeps or springs which species depend on for survival. Removing water sources for plants and animals is devastating, and has long-term impacts on the entire environment.

Several areas of and surrounding the Grand Canyon have already been declared by the U.S. Forest Service and other national agencies as toxic areas. Water supplies and land have been poisoned by radiation from uranium mining run-off. Human, animal and plant lives and species have been lost and continue to be endangered by the toxic contamination.

The Colorado River has sculpted one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, with layers of rock revealing millions of years of history. The river is home to endangered fish and wildlife. We have a responsibility to save this priceless place for future generations.

America’s greatest treasure has to be protected!

Please help save the Grand Canyon by signing this petition and asking President Obama to ban uranium mining in and around it!