Mining, milling focus of meeting
in Grants

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — The state of New Mexico House of Representatives earlier this week announced two public meetings to discuss environmental concerns and economic development in connection with uranium mining and milling.

The Indian Affairs Committee and Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Committee will hold joint meetings in Crownpoint and Grants on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, respectively.

The Indian Affairs Committee will meet in Ramah on Oct. 3.
The Crownpoint meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Navajo Technical College, with expert presentations beginning at 10:30 a.m. Public comments open at 11:30 a.m. An afternoon session will include panel discussions and a 4:00 p.m. tour of the proposed HRI Crownpoint in situ leaching site.

The Grants meeting session starts at 9 a.m. in the County Convention Center with more panel discussions and public comment from 11 a.m. till noon. Reps. John A. Heaton and Patty Lundstrom; and Sens. Lynda M. Lovejoy and David Ulibarri will discuss legislative initiatives beginning at 1 p.m.

“During these two days of meetings, the committees and the public will receive information on the whole picture of uranium mining and milling in the region as well as the entire state New Mexico,” said Heaton, an Eddy County Democrat and chairman of the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee.

“We will be attempting to understand the geology, the non-potable water impacts, what consultation by the State with impacted populations means and how court decisions related to temporary historic preservation designation have been interpreted," he said.

The Oct. 3 Indian Affairs Committee at Ramah Chapter House will feature Chapter President Leo Pino, Vice President Martha Garcia and Council Delegate Cecil Frank Eriacho discussing updates on chapter status, beginning at 9 a.m. Following the updates, ECHO Health Services project will also provide updated information and Secretary of Veterans Affairs John Garcia and Secretary of Taxation of Revenue Rick Homans will discuss Native American income tax settlements.