Last month secretary of the interior Ken Salazar announced a 6 month emergency withdrawal of new hard-rock mining claims on the Arizona Strip. This is an extension to the two year segregation that was set to expire on July 21st. The BLM is currently responding to comments on the draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) and finalizing the Final EIS to turn over to the Secretary of the interior to make the final decision.
Malia Bascom investigates the pros and cons of Uranium Mining on the Arizona Strip. What would a 20 year withdrawal from future uranium mining claims mean to the economies of Southern Utah Counties Like Kane, Garfield, San Juan, and Washington? What are the concerns of Mohave and Coconino County in Arizona where the mining would take place?