Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:

As we are aware, radioactive waste has left a toxic legacy not only here in the Missouri River valley, but also many other places in the country including one of our most treasured. In Grand Canyon and Navajo country, abandoned and closed mines continue to pollute ground and surface water. But an increase in uranium prices has caused a spike in new mining claims in the lands surrounding the Colorado River and Grand Canyon.

President Obama imposed a moratorium on uranium mining on public lands directly surrounding the park, but lawsuits to halt the closure are now working their way through the courts. Erin Goodyear of Environment Missouri will discuss current efforts to establish a "Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument"  to permanently protect over one million acres of public land near the Grand Canyon from mining.

Erin will also discuss the history of Environment America and Environment Missouri as well as their current work both nationally, in support of protecting the Grand Canyon, and here in Missouri.