Represent Haaku Water Office in government-to-government negotiations concerning new uranium mining permits near Acoma Pueblo and on or near Mt. Taylor.

06/05/2009 - Mount Taylor was permanently listed in the State Register of Cultural Properties by the Cultural Properties Review Committee. To view the final nomination, a map showing the guardian peaks used to establish the TCP boundaries and other related materials, please visit the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division website.

Appearing in proceedings before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to stop the operation of an in-situ leach uranium mining operation that will contaminate the sole drinking water source for 15,000 Navajo citizens.  Federal appeal of license filed in February, 2006.

This case marks the first time that a community has sued the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) over the issuance of an in situ leach (ISL) uranium mining license.  This case also marks the first time that the NRC has issued a license for mining in a high-quality drinking water aquifer, despite the fact that no ISL mines have ever been reclaimed to pre-mining condition.  (In fact, the Crow Butte mine in Nebraska, which the NRC has described as a “model reclamation” in the past, was fined $1 million in July 2008 for groundwater contamination.)

03/08/2010 - The 10th Federal Circuit Appeals Court in Denver, CO returned with their decision upholding the NRC license allowing HRI to mine for uranium in Crownpoint’s municipal water supply.

05/12/2008 - Oral arguments are heard in 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, CO. Currently we are waiting to hear judges decision.

We represent our clients in an effort to prevent the NRC from issuing a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for new in situ leach (ISL) uranium mining in Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming. If approved, the NRC would apply the document to every proposed ISL minesite in those four states, rather than conducting site-specific environmental impact statements.  A Generic EIS would limit public participation in licensing proceedings, and would reduce the type of studies required at each site.  The agency issued a 500-page Draft Generic EIS in July 2008. In August 2008, we successfully petitioned the agency to extend its public comment period by 60 days.  During that time, we conducted an in-depth legal and technical review of the document, and submitted comments in November 2008, with national groups and groups from California, New Mexico and South Dakota signing on. 

06/04/2009 - NRC Issues Final Environmental Report on Uranium Recovery Operations, Announces Change in Review Approach Go to press release

11/07/2008 - Comments Submitted on Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement for In-Situ Leach Uranium Milling Facilities on behalf of SRIC, BVDA, ENDAUM and the Haaku Water Office of the Acoma Pueblo, and with the support of other organizations and individuals.

Participate in New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) proceeding concerning discharge permit for Roca Honda uranium mine.

Participate in first application to Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) for conventional uranium mining permit under NM Mining Act.

Participate in USFS proceeding concerning consideration of Strathmore’s Plan of Operations for Roca Honda mine.

The Law Center represents Taos Pueblo in efforts to prevent or limit expansion of the Taos municipal airport, which would impair religious practices by Pueblo members, threaten the iconic architecture of the Pueblo, and increase development pressure on their living culture - the basis for its designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2003, the FAA conducted a noise analysis that offered the conclusion that a Cessna overflight is no louder than a thunderclap.  Our clients assert that comparing a twin-engine aircraft to an act of nature illustrates the administration’s lack of cultural sensitivity.

We are in continuing negotiations with the FAA to prevent the expansion of the airport, or to mitigate its impacts on the Pueblo.

August 2009 - Negotiations with the FAA are continuing.