Navajo’s stand against uranium mining supported by scientists

“I’ve never seen such poor science, poor accountability and poor traceability,” said Mike Wallace, a groundwater hydrologist who has worked in the nuclear industry at WIPP in New Mexico and the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada.

Scientists Back Navajos’ Uranium Mining Fight: Tribe fears contamination of drinking water BRENDA NORRELL Indian Country 19 July 2010, RED ROCK, N.M. – Navajos fighting proposed uranium mining in an area once devastated by a radioactive spill, were bolstered by scientists who criticized the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for approving new uranium mining that could result in the contamination of drinking water for 15,000 Navajos and ultimately lead to kidney failure.”

“I’ve never seen such poor science, poor accountability and poor traceability,” said Mike Wallace, a groundwater hydrologist who has worked in the nuclear industry at WIPP in New Mexico and the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada.
Speaking to Navajos gathered at Red Rock State Park, Wallace said the final environmental impact statement for the uranium mining proposed by Hydro Resources, Inc., for Crownpoint and Church Rock, is flawed.

Referring to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval of a license, now being challenged by interveners, Wallace said, “They are not taking this area or these people’s concerns seriously.”

Scientists Back Navajos’ Uranium Mining Fight: Tribe fears contamination of drinking water, Virginia Against Uranium Mining:, BRENDA NORRELL
Indian Country , 20 July 2010, Mitchell Capitan, Navajo cofounder of the grassroots group Eastern Navajo Against Uranium Mining (ENDAUM) told the gathering: Speaking in Diné and English, Capitan said, “There’s always going to be accidents. Our water is more sacred and our water is clean; they want to dirty the water in our communities.”

Richard Abitz, geo-chemist and environmental scientist, urged Navajos to stop the legacy of uranium mining now. “There is a gross misrepresentation of the geological structure in the final environmental impact statement.”………..
They think in-situ mining will be done easily without contamination or accidents, but that is not the case.’
— Mitchell Capitan Eastern Navajo Against Uranium Mining

Wallace predicted that nearby drinking wells of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and BIA will be contaminated. “In five years time, the uranium contaminated water would reach the NTUA well. In 10 years, it would reach the BIA well.

“It is enough to cause renal damage.

“These wells are the sole source of drinking water for thousands of people that live in the area.”

Virginia Against Uranium Mining: Scientists Back Navajos’ Uranium Mining Fight: Tribe fears contamination of drinking water