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May 5, 2008. Denver. In a major victory for protecting Colorado's groundwater and communities from irresponsible uranium mining, House Bill 1161 and Senate Bill 228 passed through the Colorado Assembly today with broad bipartisan support. The legislation is now on its way to Governor Ritter's desk. Northern Colorado state Senators Steve Johnson (R-Fort Collins) and Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) and state Representatives John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) and Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins) all worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of these important bills.
HB 1161 will establish minimum standards to protect Colorado's environment and ground water from unsafe in-situ leach uranium mining and will require all uranium mines in Colorado to meet basic environmental and public health protections as "designated mining operations."Mining companies would have to restore the ground water at injection or "in-situ" uranium mining projects to original, pre-mining conditions or to state standards. "This is a fantastic day for the citizens of Colorado, and we are tremendously grateful for the hard work of our representatives to protect our water and our right to know when uranium companies want to start their dangerous work," stated Jackie Adolph, Outreach Chair for Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction (CARD). "While this legislation by no means solves all of the problems with in-situ leach uranium mining, especially in populated areas, it does offer a great minimum level of ground water protection." Thousands of uranium mining claims have been staked throughout Colorado within the last couple of years. Many of these mines would be in-situ leach mines, which dig hundreds of wells and use millions of gallons of groundwater. These mines contaminate ground water not only with radioactive chemicals such as uranium, but also with a multitude of other toxic heavy metals. Proposed in-situ leach uranium mining sites include those in northern Weld County within 20 miles of 275,000 residents, in Park County at the headwaters for Denver's water supplies, and in Grand County just west of Rocky Mountain National Park. New underground or open-pit uranium mines are being considered within populated and growing areas of Weld and Fremont Counties, as well as across Colorado's western slope in the State's historic uranium mining districts. SB 228 provides for greater transparency for all mineral exploration and was sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) and Rep. Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison). The state of Colorado has previously kept all information about mining exploration secret. "Times have changed and this secrecy is no longer relevant," stated Jeff Parsons, attorney with the Western Mining Action Project. "Mining claims are no longer made just in remote areas. Powertech Uranium Corp. is exploring a site in Weld County that is only seven miles from Fort Collins. The public needs to be aware of any potential water or public health impacts from mining operations in their communities." "Passing laws does not mean a problem is solved," stated CARD spokesperson, Lilias Jarding, PhD. "A law is just a piece of paper. People need to stay involved to be sure that state agencies follow up with strong rules that will protect our water. And then we need to track enforcement of the rules, so that we are truly protected from this dangerous industry." Both HB 1161 and SB 228 were crafted in response to concerns that in-situ uranium mining, which occurs directly in ground water, will jeopardize health, agriculture, property rights, and the economy. A broad coalition of groups supported one or both bills, including the Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Counties Inc., Denver Water, Environment Colorado, Information Network for Responsible Mining, and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. CARD encourages area residents to personally thank HB 1161 and SB 228 sponsors and committee members for their hard work. Read all about it: Loveland Reporter-Herald (May 6, 2008): Uranium mining bill goes to governor by Pamela Dickman Greeley Tribune (May 6, 2008): Uranium bills make it to governor's desk by Rebecca Boyle Fort Collins Coloradoan (May 5, 2008): Uranium bill heads to Gov. Ritter by Jason Kosena |
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