Event Recap: Local "Agua Es Vida" Event Informs and Engages Community Members about Uranium Mining Impacts Around the Grand Canyon

Nov. 20, 2019 (Phoenix, Arizona) – Today more than 30 community leaders gathered at the Rio Salado Audubon Center for an event organized by HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors) to discuss uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, and its effects on Native American and Hispanic communities.  

The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the threat of uranium mining near the Grand Canyon and the impact it would have on nearby communities.  

Communities of color often face disproportionate health impacts when it comes to climate change, and the effects of past uranium mining on Native American and Hispanic communities are no different. Hispanic communities are 165% more likely to live in counties with unhealthy levels of particulate matter pollution, and Native American communities living near the Grand Canyon are still suffering from the lingering effects of drinking contaminated water. Studies have even linked exposure to uranium radiation to birth defects and cancer.   

One of HECHO’s founding board members, Elizabeth Archuleta, presented at the Cocktails and Conservation event called Agua Es Vida (Water is Life), and talked about the importance of learning about the impacts of uranium mining near the Grand Canyon.  

“Uranium mining at the Grand Canyon impacts all of us, those of us who live in the state of Arizona, and those who visit us from other states and internationally,” Archuleta said. “Some places are just too beautiful to risk, and so the thought of risking the environment of the Grand Canyon and Colorado River because of uranium mining is something that everyone should know about. It’s not only important for our generation, but to future generations,” she said.  

Amber Reimondo, program director of the Grand Canyon Trust, also presented at the event, and talked about the importance of letting representatives know that we should not be opening the door to another toxic legacy.  

“It’s really important to get out in your community and speak to your leaders, whether it’s local leaders or all the way up to your members of congress. In Northern Arizona, we have the Coconino Board of Supervisors, the City of Flagstaff, and our local representatives that all support this bill, and they support it in part because they hear from the broad community of people who care about this issue,” Reimondo said. “So, it’s really important to get out in your community and speak to your leaders, whether it’s local leaders, or all the way up to your members of congress,” she said.  

The event took place just weeks after the U.S. House of Representatives voted for a bill to permanently ban uranium mining on over 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon, sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva.  

At the event, attendees answered prompts about their personal connection to the Grand Canyon as well as the importance of clean water. They also urged Arizona’s U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally to become active leaders in the fight to protect the Grand Canyon from uranium mining.  

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