Born Again Environmental Spiritualist

While waiting for my ride to the Sundance ceremony, I couldn't help but write this for you, discussing several major concerns I have about the Nuclear Power Craze.

First of all, I think the Nuclear Boom caught most environmentalists with their pants down, being totally unprepared for this explosion on their psyches and environment, and then being borgified into believing that Nuclear Power is the "solution" to the global warming theory after watching the film "An Inconvenient Truth," depicting Al Gore as the proletarian superhero who'll save us from our ecologically destructive mass consumptive society. Frankly most environmentalists I feel have almost lost sight of their objective as a result of their borgification into this false belief: to protect the environment.

I come from South Dakota, a state rich in mineral resources such as gold and uranium; it is also a state with a very poor environmental record. Most of the river have been contaminated with mining wastes; in the north in the Slim Buttes and Cave Hills areas on the Custer National Forest, uranium mine tailings waste, agricultural chemical wastes, while in the south, the rivers and Black Hills are polluted with gold mining tailings wastes. To me, protecting our rivers and the Black Hills have become a major focus of my life, being a fisherman and an avid outdoorsman. As an ardent and somewhat vocal supporter of environmentalism, I feel that eventually if we yell loud enough, someone will hear us and come to help us in our fight against all of the mining companies in our state.

After reading much of material on the Internet about environmentalism, I also feel that most of these groups have got to become more active in terms of proposing legislation and actual improvements, rather than just having an outdoor meeting just to meet other men and women for dating; this is what MySpace is for. I am not sniping at any group in particular, but specifically all of these environmental groups have got to take one unified stand against the destroyers, rather than fall to the "Divide and Conquer" tactic used on Native Americans for hundreds of years. We have got to remember we all have our parts in this grand play, and at the show's end, the main actor that should take the applause is our planet Earth.

Judge denies Stay: Drilling to continue

"Judge denies Stay"
"Drilling to continue"

PRESS RELEASE

June 20, 2007

Rapid City, SD -- South Dakota Circuit Court Judge John Delaney denied a motion for a stay to stop any further drilling by a Uranium mining company near Edgemont. Opposing parties considering state Supreme Court appeal.

Powertech, a Canadian mining company, began drilling uranium exploratory wells in the Dewey Burdock area northwest of Edgemont a few weeks despite the approval of their permit being appealed in court. Two environmental organizations, Defenders of the Black Hills and ACTion for the Environment are appealing the decision made by the South Dakota Board of Mining and Environment. Cindy Gillis, lead counsel for the two groups had previously sought a preliminary injunction and a restraining order. Judge Delaney denied those requests and said a "stay" was the proper procedure, and one was filed on April 30. A hearing was held on June 19, 2007, in the Pennington County Courthouse and the Judge denied the stay stating there was not enough environmental information to show harm to the plaintiffs.

Charmaine White Face, Coordinator for Defenders, said, "This appeal is about the violation of our Constitutional rights. Our concerns about the environment were not even considered by the Board during the first hearing in January," she said. "That's why we appealed their decision in the first place. We are not even to the environmental questions yet."

Attorney Gillis raised the point in court that Powertech will have all their exploratory wells finished before the hearing on the permit can occur. Judge Delaney stated that even though a number of procedural violations were committed by the Board and the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he now had the authority to make the decisions and this was his decision.

The Board's Hearing Chair, Lee McCahren, on Jan. 17, 2007, signed the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order that were prepared by Max Main, the attorney for Powertech. This was prior to the Board hearing the oral objections on Jan. 18 at which no court reporter was present. The process also allowed for written objections to be submitted within 30 days after the Hearing. The two groups submitted their written objections, and their objections should have been addressed by the Board in a Final Decision. The Board never sent a Final Decision. In order to participate in an appeal of the decision, the groups filed their appeal in State Court based on the Order sent out by Powertech.

Without the Board following their own procedures, the objections raised by the two groups then become an admission of fact. "Failure to answer an allegation in a petition constitutes and admission of that fact." according to South Dakota Compiled Law, 74:09:01:03. The two groups raise the contamination of the water and watersheds in their objections, as well as the health risks to all living things.

The permit that is being appealed allows Powertech to drill 155 more exploratory wells at depths of 500-600 feet in the southwestern Black Hills. They already have 4,000 uncapped, and unmarked uranium exploratory wells drilled in the past. The mining company plans on doing In Situ Recovery (ISR) of uranium from the Lakota and Fall River aquifers. In Situ Recovery was formerly known as In Situ Leach (ISL)mining.

During the ISR process, a solution to dissolve the uranium is poured down the wells and the dissolved uranium brought back up to the surface. The uranium is separated from the rest of the radioactive waste solution. The radioactive waste solution is then put back into the aquifer after being held in waste ponds on the surface. The procedure contaminates aquifers and cannot be controlled underground. In case of sudden rainstorms, the radioactive waste ponds often overflow and contaminate the surface ground and nearby watersheds as well.

According to Powertech's application, each exploratory drill hole "will have a small excavated mud pit that will be approximately 12 feet by 5 feet" and 10 feet deep. Among the concerns of the environmental groups are the possibility of overflow from the mud pits with the sudden rain showers that occur in the Black Hills. One of the aquifers empties directly into the Cheyenne River and is used by many ranchers to water their livestock. Among the deeper aquifers of concern is the Madison which provides water for many western South Dakota communities.

The two groups are considering appealing the request for a stay to the state Supreme Court. They continue to state that Powertech does not have a valid permit to drill until after the appeal of the granting of the permit is finished.

For more information call Charmaine White Face, Coordinator, at (605) 399-1868.

Uranium Mining Boom

Below is a list of the exploratory uranium prospecting actions by the various uranium mining companies. I wonder if anyone will notice that once a mining company decides to prospect, it eventually will begin mining; and again either leaving an environmental mess for Superfund in the case of an abandoned toxic surface or leave for someone else to worry about, groundwater contamination issues as in an In Situ Leach uranium extraction operation.

Just amazes me that most environmentalist have become pro-nuclear. Probably because they don't realize that during mining booms, all concern for the environment is lost to the madness for profits as in "gold fever."


Uranium Exploration Projects
Northern Miner, Query 6/8/07

State Organization Status Property Name

AK Full Metal Minerals Ltd Exploration McCarthy Marsh
AK Full Metal Minerals Ltd Exploration Boulder Creek Property

AZ Denison Mines Corp Exploration Arizona Strip Property

AZ Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Anderson

AZ Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Colorado Property

AZ Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Rose Property

AZ Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Wate

AZ Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Arizona Strip Resources Joint Venture, LLC

AZ Golden Patriot Corporation Exploration Lucky Boy Project

AZ Liberty Star Gold Corp Exploration North Pipes Project

AZ Quaterra Resources Inc Exploration Arizona Stip Project

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Workman Creek Property

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Lucky Bay Project

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Mormon Lake Property

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Red Bluff Property

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Middleton Mountain Property

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Buckaroo Flats Property

AZ Rodinia Minerals Inc Exploration Pendleton Mesa Property

AZ Tournigan Gold Corporation Exploration

AZ Universal Uranium Ltd Exploration Artillery Peak Property

AZ Uranium Energy Corp Exploration

AZ Uranium Star Corp Exploration Arizona Project

CA Kilgore Minerals Ltd Exploration

CO Anglo-Canadian Uranium Corp Exploration Spider Rock Property

CO Denison Mines Corp Exploration Sunday Mine Complex

CO Energy Fuels Inc Exploration Whirlwind Property

CO Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Hanson Creek Property

CO Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Maybell Project

CO Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Skull Creek Project

CO Powertech Uranium Corp Exploration Centennial Project

CO Universal Uranium Ltd Exploration Marshall Pass Property

CO Universal Uranium Ltd Exploration Jamestown Property

CO Uranium Energy Corp Exploration

CO Laramide Resources Ltd Exploration Los Ochos Property

ID Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Stanley Property

MT Kilgore Minerals Ltd Exploration

NV Duran Ventures Inc Exploration Smokey Valley Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Auto Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Babbit Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Blackbox Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Clearwater Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration New Year Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Shale Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Findlay Tank Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Grama Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Little Robinson Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Lost Calf Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Rim Property

NV Energy Metals Corporation Exploration White River Valley Property

NV International Arimex Resources Exploration California Creek Property

NV Kilgore Minerals Ltd Exploration

NV Northern Canadian Minerals Inc Exploration Carol R Mine Claims

NV Thelon Ventures Ltd Exploration White River Valley Project

NV Western Uranium Corporation Exploration Kings Valley Property

NM Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Crownpoint Property

NM Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Hosta Butte Property

NM Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Nose Rock Project

NM Laramide Resources Ltd Exploration La Jara Mesa Project

NM MAX Resource Corp Exploration C de Baca Project

NM Strathmore Minerals Corp Exploration Church Rock Property

NM Strathmore Minerals Corp Exploration Roca Honda Property

NM Uranium Resources, Inc Exploration Churchrock Project

NM Uranium Resources, Inc Exploration Crownpoint Property

NM Uranium Resources, Inc Exploration Rocha Honda Property

NM Uranium Resources, Inc Exploration West Largo Property

NM Western Uranium Corporation Exploration Treeline Project

NM Laramide Resources Ltd Exploration Melrich Property

OR Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Aurora Property

SD Energy Metals Corporation Exploration

SD Energy Metals Corporation Exploration

SD Northern Canadian Minerals Inc Exploration

SD Powertech Uranium Corp Exploration Dewey-Burdock Property

SD Strathmore Minerals Corp Exploration Chord Property

SD Tournigan Gold Corporation Exploration

SD Trans America Industries Ltd Exploration Edgemount Project

TX Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Chevron Project

TX Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Hobson Facility

TX Energy Metals Corporation Exploration La Palangana Project

TX Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Swinney Switch Project

TX Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Cadena Property

TX Uranium Energy Corp Exploration

UT Anglo-Canadian Uranium Corp Exploration East Canyon Wash Property

UT Denison Mines Corp Exploration Henry Mountains Complex

UT Denison Mines Corp Exploration Deer Creek Complex

UT Denison Mines Corp Exploration Rim Mine

UT Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Congress Property

UT Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Frank M Property

UT Energy Metals Corporation Exploration San Rafael Property

UT Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Velvet Property

UT Energy Metals Corporation Exploration

UT Glen Hawk Minerals Ltd Exploration San Rafael Property

UT Global Uranium Corporation Exploration Lisbon Valley Property

UT Global Uranium Corporation Exploration Pine Ridge Property

UT Global Uranium Corporation Exploration Harts Point Property

UT Global Uranium Corporation Exploration Fry Canyon Property

UT Global Uranium Corporation Exploration San Rafael Property

UT Global Uranium Corporation Exploration Dome Plateau Property

UT Laramide Resources Ltd Exploration La Sal Project

UT MAX Resource Corp Exploration PPCO Property

UT Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Little Egypt Property

UT Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Big Muddy Property

UT Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Cedar Mountain Property

UT Mesa Uranium Corp Exploration Lisbon Valley Property

UT Mill Bay Ventures Inc Exploration BP Claims

UT Quaterra Resources Inc Exploration

UT Trigon Uranium Corp Exploration Henry Mountains Project

UT Trigon Uranium Corp Exploration Marysvale Property

UT U.S. Energy Corp Exploration Velvet Mine

UT Universal Uranium Ltd Exploration Lisbon Valley Property

UT Uranium Energy Corp Exploration

UT Uranium Power Corp Exploration Sahara Mine

WA International Arimex Resources Exploration

WA Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Bond Property

WA Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Nancy Creek Property

WY Cameco Corporation Exploration Gas Hills-Peach Property

WY Cameco Corporation Exploration Ruby Ranch Property

WY Canyon Resources Corporation Exploration Converse Jt Vent

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration AC Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Antelope Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Battle Spring Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration BL Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration CD Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Cyclone Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration DW Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration EC Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Horse Creek Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration JAB Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration JK Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration KM & KME Blocks

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Laramie Project

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Midway Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Moore Ranch Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Moss Agate Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Nine Mile Lake Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration OZ Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Peterson Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration PN Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Red Rim Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Rocky Draw Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration RM Block

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration South Powder River Basin Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Twin Buttes Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Western Sheep Mountain Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration VR Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Allemand-Ross Project

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration North Platte Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration North Platte Extension and Herma Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Le Bar-Hall Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration East Douglas Property (Sand Creek Joint Venture)

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Reno Creek Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Ruby Ranch Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Red Desert Property

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Gas Hills

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration Sweet Claims

WY Energy Metals Corporation Exploration QC Claims

WY Kilgore Minerals Ltd Exploration

WY Magnum Uranium Corp Exploration Lye Property

WY Malapai Resources Company Exploration

WY Northern Canadian Minerals Inc Exploration

WY Pathfinder Mines Corporation Exploration

WY Powertech Uranium Corp Exploration Dewey Terrace Property

WY Powertech Uranium Corp Exploration Aladdin Project

WY Quaterra Resources Inc Exploration

WY Strathmore Minerals Corp Exploration

WY Strathmore Minerals Corp Exploration Cedar Rim

WY Tournigan Gold Corporation Exploration

WY Trans America Industries Ltd Exploration

WY Trans America Industries Ltd Exploration Sundance Project

WY U.S. Energy Corp Exploration Sheep Mountain Property

WY Ur-Energy Inc Exploration Great Divide Basin Project

WY Ur-Energy Inc Exploration Shirley Basin Project

WY Ur-Energy Inc Exploration Kaycee Project

WY Ur-Energy Inc Exploration Shamrock Project

WY Uranerz Energy Corporation Exploration

WY Uranerz Energy Corporation Exploration

WY Uranium Energy Corp Exploration

WY Uranium Power Corp Exploration Sheep Mountain

Laramide Resources Ltd Exploration Sioux Project