Segment 1: Proposed Withdrawal of new Uranium Exploration and Mining

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?

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Segment 2: 20 Year Proposed Withdrawal of new Uranium Exploration and Mining Round Table Pt. 1

Chad Booth heads South to Kanab to discuss the different perspectives on future uranium mining with Kane County Commissioner, Jim Matson; Scott Florence, Arizona Strip BLM; and Carl Taylor, Coconino County Supervisor Arizona. The panel discusses what the withdrawal means to the area (the withdrawal doesn't end uranium mining completely), concerns over tourism being negatively affected, and what happens to "moth-balled" mines.

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Segment 3: 20 Year Proposed Withdrawal of new Uranium Exploration and Mining Round Table Pt. 2

The debate continues with a discussion concerning the size of the mines, water issues, and economic benefits to future development of uranium mining on the Arizona Strip.

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Segment 4: 20 Year Proposed Withdrawal of new Uranium Exploration and Mining Round Table Pt. 3

The panel wraps up the discussion, touching once again on the economic impact study that the BLM carried out as part of the EIS. Carl Taylor points out that the jobs projected by the study might not necessarily be as large as what the study projected. Scott Florence points out that the BLM is revisiting the economic study. The discussion is continued in one more segment that was not aired on the program. Please see our extended round table discussion here on the website.

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