The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s recent report on a request to mine uranium in the Black Hills isn’t going over well with Native Americans and non-Natives alike. The report concludes there are no environmental concerns, but possible water contamination remains an issue for many.
The NRC’s final supplemental environmental impact statement supports Powertech Corporation to mine uranium. The report says there are quote - “no environmental impacts that would preclude licensing”.
Officials with Powertech have told S-D-P-B the NRC decision vindicates the company’s claim that uranium mining can be done safely.
Dayton Hyde founded the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. He worries that the mining will contaminate the area’s ground water.
Hyde is also concerned about the estimated 9000 gallons of water per minute that’s required for the mining process.
“And South Dakota doesn’t have that kind of water,” comments Hyde. “The aquifers are not very big…and even the Madison isn’t a huge amount of water. If a rancher ever filed for a well as big as the miners feel they need…there’d be a public outrage about it.”
Despite the NRC’s decision, Dayton Hyde says he’s determined to stop Powertech from mining uranium in the Black Hills.
http://www.wildmustangs.com/
http://www.powertechcorporation.com/