The Issue:聽Uranium Mining
Canadian firm聽Energy Fuels plans聽to resume operations鈥攁nd with it聽the threat of contam颅ination鈥攁t Canyon Mine, just nine miles from the South Rim. Activists worry that聽it and three other聽former mines could leak toxic waste聽into the watershed. In 2012, interior sec颅retary Ken Salazar put a 20-year ban聽on uranium mining聽in the area, but companies with existing rights are exempt. The Grand Canyon Trust is suing the聽Forest Service to 颅prevent the Canyon Mine from reopening.
The Issue:聽Tramway
The proposed 1.4-mile Grand Canyon Escalade, a luxury gondola, would carry thousands of people each day from the North Rim to the pristine confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers鈥攁 sacred site to natives. The Navajo 颅Nation Council is divided on the proposal聽but is expected to decide this spring.
The Issue:聽Mega-Resort
Stilo Development Group in Scottsdale, Arizona, is attempting to build more than 2,100 homes, hotels, restaurants, and retailers in Tusayan (current population: 600), near the South Rim. Though the city council already approved the project, the Forest Service rejected a proposal聽to improve roads in the area. 颅Developers are expected to revise their project plans and resubmit them.