Mining Puts National Parks At Risk

Mining has expanded around many of the country's national parks, causing concern that the legal extraction of natural and hazardous materials is harming the protected ecosystems.

1 minute read

August 19, 2007, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Areas surrounding iconic locations in the western US such as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon risk being intensively mined in coming years, says the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit research organisation based in Washington DC."

"Its study draws on data from the government's Bureau of Land Management to identify 2900 new mining claims that have been staked within five miles of national parks since 2003. "This is a modern-day land rush," says Dusty Horwitt, one of the report's authors."

"These prices have triggered a rise in the number of plots of land staked out by mining companies – called mining 'claims'. Claims rose from 207,540 in January 2003 to 376,493 in July 2007, according to the EWG. Many are close to treasured locations. Since 2003, more than 800 claims, mostly for uranium, have been staked within five miles of the Grand Canyon."

FULL STORY: Modern-day gold rush threatens Grand Canyon

Friday, August 17, 2007 in New Scientist

Environment History / Preservation United States

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.