On November 8, 2001, Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) retracted a proposal to grant $30 million to uranium mining companies to further develop in-situ-leach (ISL) uranium mining, citing fears stoked by "substantial misinformation" about the legislation. Sen. Domenici had initiated the proposal as part of S. 472, "The Nuclear Energy Supply Assurance Act of 2001" which he offered in March 2001. Domenici’s fellow New Mexico Republican, Heather Wilson, introduced this provision in the House, where it was passed as part of the House energy bill, HR4.

Opposition to the proposed mining subsidies was led by Navajo (Dine) grassroots organizations such as Dine CARE, Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining (ENDUAM) and Concerned Citizens of Crownpoint, along with local New Mexico environmental groups, such as Southwest Research Information Center (SRIC), New Mexico Environmental Law Center, and the Water Information Network. This coalition was concerned that the grants would jump start Hydro Resource Inc.’s (HRI’s) dormant Crownpoint Uranium Project, which proposes to open four new ISL uranium mines on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico.

This proposed mining threatens to contaminate the only water source for about 15,000 Navajo people and their livestock. The Navajo Reservation is plagued by hundreds of abandoned uranium mines and piles of radon emitting mill tailings--a deadly legacy which the uranium industry has not been held accountable for. The sadly inadequate compensation of Navajo uranium mining victims which was long ago agreed upon by the federal government is finally beginning, it had been deferred time and again while victims died.

The proposed subsidies would have directly benefited HRI’s parent company Uranium Resources, Inc. Sen. Domenici alleged that the benefit to the parent company would not be passed on. Navajo community activists would not accept that. Dr. John Fogarty, an emergency room physician and member of Concerned Citizens of Crownpoint, observed "It’s kind of like saying if you win the lottery your daughter wouldn’t benefit… and it’s simply absurd." Lori Goodman of Dine CARE said "We, as the Navajo people, know the tricks of the federal government… (Congress) needs to know that we cherish our land with respect and keep harmony with Mother Nature."

On October 1, 2001 NIRS delivered a letter, signed by more than 80 organizations and 100+ individuals, protesting the proposed subsidies to Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and members of the Senate’s Energy & Natural Resource Committee.

In-situ leach mining injects acids and other caustic substances through pipes into uranium bearing rock formations, found below the water table. The acids melt the rocks and the mixture of melted rock, uranium and acid is pumped to the surface with water into drying ponds where the uranium is later extracted. There are three major pathways by which the acids and uranium can contaminate the water table

1. By leaking up around the edges of the pipes
2. By seeping into the ground from leaks sprung in the pumping pipes above ground
3. By leaking through the linings under the ponds in which the water with the uranium is collected.

The milling process, which usually takes place at or quite near the mine, involves another set of significant contamination dangers.-Donald Keesing

For further technical information on ISL uranium mining please visit the following url at the WISE Uranium website-