Salazar Temporarily Protects The Grand Canyon
Recently, we asked you to urge Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to withdraw nearly a million acres around the Grand Canyon from mining for 20 years. Thanks to the thousands of you that responded.

Although Secretary Salazar has yet to protect the Canyon for 20 years, the area is withdrawn for the next two years.

Grijalva Introduces Legislation For Permanent Protection
While temporary withdrawal from mining is important, Congress needs to act to permanently protect the area.

Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) has introduced H.R. 644, The Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act, which would permanently withdraw a million acres of public land within the watersheds of the Grand Canyon from mineral exploration under the 1872 Mining Law.

An increase in uranium claim staking, exploration and mining threatens the Grand Canyon - one of our most beautiful national treasures. Industrial activity around the park could upset the ecological balance of the area or contaminate the Grand Canyon Watershed.

TAKE ACTION!
Urge your Representative to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 644 to help protect this irreplaceable landscape.

Thanks for taking action.

Source: Earthworks