For 25 years, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center has worked every day to protect our region's water, land and air from toxic pollution; and to help New Mexico's many and diverse communities protect their environment.
EPA Revisits Permit for What Could Be First in New Wave of Uranium Mines
But Eric Jantz with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center says the permit was based on limited and misleading water quality data. And now the Law Center is helping the group Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining petition for a revocation of the permit. So far, the groups’ online petition has gathered close to 10,000 signatures. Jantz says he thinks speculation in uranium may be overblown.
“That said, even if only a few materialize, based on history, those mines could do a lot of damage to state resources and public health.“ KUNM
Listen to Eric Jantz Talk to KSFR Radio Urging the EPA to Protect Navajo Water
Eric Jantz talks to KSFR about the aquifer exemption permit the EPA must revoke to protect a Navajo aquifer from uranium mining. The interview begins at 7:25. Listen now at KSFR.
EPA May Throw Wrench in Plans to Build Highly-Contested Uranium Mine
SANTA FE, N.M.— The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) and Eastern Navajo Diné Against Uranium Mining (ENDAUM) are urging the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revoke an ill-advised permit they gave to uranium mining company, Hydro Resources, Inc. 23 years ago. After ENDAUM and NMELC brought deficiencies in the permit application to EPA’s attention, the EPA took the unprecedented step of revisiting its decision to grant the permit.
“The permit is an ‘aquifer exemption,’ which allows Hydro Resources to conduct uranium mining in a groundwater aquifer under the community of Church Rock, NM,” says Eric Jantz, NMELC Staff Attorney and lead counsel on the case. “The type of uranium mining it is proposing would contaminate potable water with radiation and heavy metals, making it unfit for consumption forever. The EPA has both the legal authority and moral obligation to revoke the aquifer exemption.”
Super Sucker Smackdown
At the end of March, the State Engineer agreed with them and denied Augustin Plains Ranch’s request. But this story may not be over. On Monday, April 9, the company announced it would appeal the decision in District Court.
Asking for permission to pump without saying how the water will be used treats water like a mineral resource, such as gold or copper, says Bruce Frederick, attorney with the Environmental Law Center. But under the Constitution, water belongs to the public. Augusta Plains Ranch “clearly just wanted to hold onto the water until the best price came along,” he says. Alibi
A Tale of Two CITEs
Southern NM courts Pegasus Global Holdings’ elusive “ghost town” test site
State Land Commissioner Ray Powell does have to consider the impact to any state land leased for such a project, however, notes Bruce Frederick, staff attorney with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center. Although Powell is charged with maximizing income for the state, he also must make sure the land isn’t damaged and that the state isn’t incurring any liability, Frederick notes. And Powell has a lot of autonomy, because he acts independently of the governor.
“It’s hard for people to come in and challenge the things that [Powell] does because he has so much power and discretion,” Frederick says. Santa Fe Reporter
Augustin Plains Ranch Files Appeal
A partnership that wants to pump groundwater from its high desert ranch in west-central New Mexico to the Rio Grande Valley went to court Monday to appeal a state decision to deny its water rights application. “We believe this is a great project that deserves a hearing,” said Tom Carroll, spokesman for Augustin Plains Ranch LLC, in a statement issued Monday afternoon.
Bruce Frederick, the attorney for many of the area residents fighting the project, said the court should throw out the Ranch owners’ appeal. “I am not surprised,” he said, “however I think the appeal has no merit and should be dismissed.” El Defensor Chieftain