Mine approval process could exclude public.
As the federal government braces for a uranium boom, it's taking steps to help mining companies break ground more quickly.
But both state officials and environmentalists are balking at the changes.***image1***
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) anticipates approximately 14 new applications for uranium mines between now and 2010. As such, on July 24, the NRC announced plans to prepare a "generic environmental impact statement" (GEIS) that would apply to all uranium mines and processing facilities.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, federal agencies must complete certain studies before embarking on a major project that will have significant impacts on the environment, such as wildlife, water and air quality. Agencies also are supposed to provide a range of alternatives for proposed projects, present their findings to the public and solicit public input.
A generic environmental impact statement would identify common environmental issues and potential impacts but would "not be limited to specific political or geographic regions," according to Andy Campbell, the acting deputy director of the agency's environmental protection and performance assessment program, who responded to questions via e-mail. The NRC will solicit public input at a meeting in Albuquerque on Aug. 9, or accept e-mailed comments until Sept. 4 (
).
Once the GEIS is completed, site-specific assessments would be completed for individual sites, but public comment would not be a part of the process.
New Mexico Environmental Law Center attorney Eric Jantz says it's ridiculous for the NRC to suggest it can adequately address environmental and community concerns in generic region-wide studies. Jantz has represented both Navajo groups and environmental organizations' attempts to stop the development of four new in situ uranium mines on the Navajo reservation. In situ leach mining involves injecting water underground, then extracting uranium from the resulting sludge. These mines also would be subject to the new rules.
Jantz says the generic EIS would limit the site-specific analysis and public input and also would allow the NRC to discount site-specific environmental justice issues-which, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, are defined as the "fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income."
"For places like Crown Point, Church Rock, the Black Hills of South Dakota and some of the mining areas in Texas that are in Hispanic communities," he says, "that's a very, very important analysis that needs to be done in every instance."
Gov. Bill Richardson's office also is expressing concern about the plan and asking the NRC to reconsider. According to spokesman Allan Oliver, "The governor wanted it stated very clearly that he wants the public to have the opportunity to share their concerns about this whole process."
Santa Fe Reporter