By Tom Doggett
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department said on Monday it would prohibit certain mining for two years on nearly 1 million acres of federal lands near the Grand Canyon while it studies whether to withdraw the land from new mining claims for 20 more years.
"I am calling a two-year 'time-out' from all new mining claims in the Arizona Strip near the Grand Canyon because we have a responsibility to ensure we are developing our nation's resources in a way that protects local communities, treasured landscapes, and our watersheds," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
The lands that will be pulled are within portions of the Grand Canyon watershed next to Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and contain significant environmental and cultural resources as well as substantial uranium deposits, the department said.
"The spectacular Grand Canyon is far too precious to risk to contamination from new uranium mining," said Rep. Nick Rahall, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, who co-sponsored legislation permanently withdrawing the 1 million acres.
Mining would still be allowed to continue on pre-existing claims, but not for new mining applications.
The department, by law, can withdraw these lands for no more than 20 years, while only Congress can permanently withdraw them.
Environmental groups praised the move, saying it will preserve natural treasure areas and also give Congress time to pass legislation updating the country's mining laws.
"That the government has continued to issue potentially hazardous uranium mining claims until now is symptomatic of the outdated laws that govern mining in the West," said the League of Conservation Voters.
(Reporting by Tom Doggett; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
