URANIUM MINING CASE

[The Plenty-supported battle to stop the expansion of uranium mining in northwest Nebraska near the Pine Ridge Reservation continues.] Simply put, the more uranium mined, the more nuclear fuel released, the more radiation, arsenic and other contaminants are scattered and built up in the water, plants and animals (that we drink and eat), and the more people (including our children and their children) who will get cancer, diabetes and other ailments due to the contaminants residing in our bodies. Government and energy industry companies are working together to make it easier for uranium mining to be licensed and for nuclear facilities to be built. We are working hard to oppose them until, if ever, it is proven that such mining and nuclear activities can be done without poisoning the water, land, animals and people. We are implementing the International Precautionary Principle adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 which states: "When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof. The process of applying the Precautionary Principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties. It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action."

Sept. 30-Oct. 1: hearing to be held in Chadron, NE for the Renewal Proceeding Standing and Admissible Contentions.

October 2: mine site inspection and tour of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation with NRC judges and parties.

October 4-5: a weekend of activism in Chadron, NE for uranium activists from five states. Thanks again to Onaway Trust and the Impact Fund.

-David Cory Frankel, Lead Counsel