Grand Canyon Trust

ICYMI: On July 30, 2024, two trucks loaded with uranium ore left a mine near the Grand Canyon headed for the White Mesa uranium mill in southern Utah. The news prompted widespread outcry, spurring a rapid response from the Navajo Nation, Havasupai Tribe, tribal members, and grassroots groups across Arizona, the Navajo Nation, and beyond. Those trucks are paused, for now.

Grand Canyon Uranium Mine Haul Trucks Pause Amid protests, uranium haul trucks pause near the Grand Canyon.

There's only one Grand Canyon. Become a member of the Grand Canyon Trust today and help protect the Grand Canyon region from threats like uranium mining, dams, and mega-resorts. Membership starts at just $25/year.
Join today! https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/new-member
📷: Ed Moss

The Arizona attorney general wants a new look into the environmental impacts of a uranium mine south of the Grand Canyon, saying the current one is decades old and the information is "outdated and inaccurate."

'In 2024, we can't rely on studies that were done in 1986': Arizona AG wants new study into impacts of uranium mine near Grand Canyon Kris Mayes said a new study found it is "highly likely that mining contaminants will be transported" between aquifers in the region.

An iconic natural phenomenon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah collapsed last week.

The National Park Service says the so-called "Double Arch" in Rock Bay fell Thursday.

Iconic Glen Canyon 'Double Arch' has collapsed Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's iconic "Double Arch" collapsed last week. The National Park Service says they suspect changing water levels and erosion from waves in Lake Powell likely contributed to its demise.

One year ago this week, the president listened to Grand Canyon tribes and designated Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument!

Thanks to their hard work, the monument now protects nearly 1 million acres of cultural sites, wildlife habitat, natural landmarks, and precious water sources that flow into the Colorado River. This new collection of videos, photos, and stories highlights the newly protected lands: https://bit.ly/bnik

1 year ago today: Decades of advocacy led by Native American tribes culminated with the designation of Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. Find out what the monument protects: https://bit.ly/bnik

“If you listen very carefully, you’ll be able to hear the footsteps of our ancestors.” – Stuart Chavez, former Havasupai Tribal Council member

Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument turns 1 today, yet it’s been a cultural homeland to Native peoples since time immemorial.

Celebrate by getting to know the new monument through maps, videos, insights from tribal leaders, and more.

Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Step through Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument to learn from Native voices about their homelands.

"I, too, have grandparents who passed from cancer from uranium exposure. We are all deeply affected by uranium. We're all affected in one way or another...Today we're standing up and saying, 'Respect our tribal sovereignty, respect our laws.' And right now, we're saying 'no.'" -Navajo Nation First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren

Protesters say uranium shipments near the Grand Canyon threaten health, safety Over 100 protesters rallied against the Pinyon Plain uranium mine near the Grand Canyon, demanding action and highlighting environmental concerns.

This map shows active mining claims, including various uranium mines, inside the boundaries of Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument. While the new monument, designated 1 year ago this week, bans new mining claims, a pre-existing uranium mine like Canyon Mine (aka Pinyon Plain Mine) can move ahead: https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/mining-threats-map-baaj-nwaavjo-itah-kukveni-grand-canyon-national-monument

Uranium mining potentially threatens the Grand Canyon — HECHO: Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors While we celebrate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument’s first anniversary, uranium mining potentially threatens this irreplaceable landscape.

Understanding mine shaft flooding and heavy metal levels in water pumped out of the mine shaft at Canyon Mine (aka Pinyon Plain Mine), a contested uranium mine near the Grand Canyon:

Canyon Mine (Pinyon Plain) Uranium Mine Water Dashboard An interactive dashboard about water quality, uranium, arsenic, lead, and flooding at Canyon Mine, also known as Pinyon Plain Mine.

"When it comes to uranium, people need to understand it’s a humanitarian issue that we face here on Navajo because it’s killed thousands of our people, and they need to recognize that. We just want people to respect us, honor our laws." -Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.

Indigenous leaders, activists protest uranium ore hauling through Navajo Nation Indigenous leaders and activists protested over the weekend opposing the start of uranium ore transport from the state’s only active uranium mine. They say it is a violation of tribal sovereignty and threatens public health and the environment on the Navajo Nation.

ICYMI: Navajo President Buu Nygren vowed to carry out the plan to enact roadblocks while the tribe develops regulations over the first major shipments of uranium ore through the reservation in years.

“Obviously the higher courts are going to have to tell us who is right and who is wrong,” he told The Associated Press. “But in the meantime, you’re in the boundaries of the Navajo Nation.”

Navajo Nation plans to test limit of tribal law preventing transportation of uranium on its land The Navajo Nation plans to test the limits of a tribal law that banned the transportation of uranium ore on its lands.

"Late Thursday, Navajo President Buu Nygren’s office says Gov. Katie Hobbs persuaded Energy Fuels to halt the shipments yesterday to give both sides a chance to negotiate."

Uranium ore shipments through Navajo Nation, northern Arizona on hold The transportation of uranium ore through portions of northern Arizona including the Navajo Nation is on hold until safety concerns are addressed.

How much uranium, arsenic, and lead is there in the water pumped out of the mine shaft at Canyon Mine (aka) Pinyon Plain Mine, a uranium mine near the Grand Canyon inside Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument?

Learn more: https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/blog/flooding-uranium-mine-near-grand-canyon-tops-66-million-gallons

We may be biased, but we think the Grand Canyon has some of the best sunsets around. Here are our favorite places to catch Grand Canyon sunsets:

Where to Watch a Grand Canyon Sunset Settle in to see the depths of the Grand Canyon transform under an expansive, colorful sky at sunset.

This map shows the route uranium haul trucks will take, traveling about 300 miles through Arizona, the Navajo Nation, Utah, and the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation to deliver uranium ore mined at Canyon Mine (renamed Pinyon Plain Mine) near the Grand Canyon to the White Mesa Mill for processing. Download your copy: https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/pinyon-plain-mine-uranium-haul-truck-route-white-mesa-mill

JUST IN: A uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park has started trucking ore along a scenic, well-traveled highway despite strong opposition. The radioactive ore is headed for the White Mesa uranium mill in Utah, located next-door to the Ute Mountain Ute community of White Mesa and a mile from Bears Ears National Monument. Learn more about the haul route.

https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/blog/uranium-trucks-hit-road-near-grand-canyon

📷 : Blake McCord

Uranium Trucks Hit the Road Near the Grand Canyon Uranium trucks are passing through Arizona, Utah, and the Navajo Nation despite strong opposition.

Canyon Mine, also known as Pinyon Plain Mine, has begun mining uranium inside Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, near Grand Canyon National Park. Sign the petition to voice your opposition to this controversial mine.
🖊 Sign now! https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/act/i-oppose-uranium-mining-near-grand-canyon

📷 : EcoFlight

I Oppose Uranium Mining near the Grand Canyon Sign the petition to oppose Canyon Mine (Pinyon Plain Mine) near the Grand Canyon

ICYMI: “There’s a problem that’s still lingering in our community. We’re still being exposed to radiation on a daily basis...I do have deep concern, but also, more concern about where the uranium ore is being trucked to, the White Mesa Mill, and the White Mesa community of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. We’re their allies.” -Larry King, former underground surveyor at the Northeast Church Rock Uranium Mine

The largest radioactive disaster in U.S. history happened on the Navajo Nation 45 years ago Northeast Church Rock Mine extracted approximately 3.5 million tons of uranium ore between 1967 and 1982, becoming the second-highest producing mine on the Navajo Nation. But on July 16, 1979, a dam containing uranium tailings failed.

ICYMI: Get hiking tips, trail guides, maps, and permit info for Grand Canyon National Park, Arches, Zion, and more! Sign up for our free monthly hiking newsletter.

📷: Blake McCord

Get hikes in your inbox! 1 year of free Grand Canyon hiking tips, trail guides, maps, and more.

There's only one Grand Canyon. Become a member of the Grand Canyon Trust today and help protect this natural wonder from threats like uranium mining, dams, and mega-resorts. Membership starts at just $25/year. Join today at https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/new-member
📷 : Rick Goldwasser

ICYMI: Public Radio International's The World interviews Yolanda Badback about her community's concerns about the uranium mill up the road, and its business processing and disposing of radioactive materials from as far away as Japan.

Utah mill recycles nuclear waste - The World from PRX The White Mesa Mill in Utah is one of the few remaining places in the US where low-level nuclear waste can be recycled. So, the Canadian-owned mill often takes in hundreds of tons of waste from all over the world. The mill is located just a few miles from the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, whose […]

Did you know the Colorado River used to be called the Grand River? Learn about the name change and the many other names the river is known by.

4 Fun Facts About the Colorado River Did you know the Colorado River used to be called the Grand River? Learn about the name change and more fun facts about this hardworking river.

Are you passionate about protecting the Grand Canyon? Sign up for our e-news to stay up-to-date on the latest Grand Canyon Trust news, join our action alert network, or sign up for hiking tips and volunteer trip invites today.

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Learn and teach others about the history of uranium mining near the Grand Canyon and the extra protections that Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument brings to the region with this lesson plan: grandcanyontrust.org/lesson-plan-uranium-mining-near-grand-canyon

A mnemonic to remember the Grand Canyon's rock layers: "Know The Canyon's History, Study Rocks Made By Time, Very Slowly."

Geology Rocks: Grand Canyon Rock Layers Answers to your most pressing Grand Canyon geology questions.

On July 16, 1979, the largest radioactive spill in U.S. history happened on the Navajo Nation, and those most harmed by it are thinking about the risk that new uranium mining poses near the Grand Canyon.

The largest radioactive disaster in U.S. history happened on the Navajo Nation 45 years ago Northeast Church Rock Mine extracted approximately 3.5 million tons of uranium ore between 1967 and 1982, becoming the second-highest producing mine on the Navajo Nation. But on July 16, 1979, a dam containing uranium tailings failed.

What river is this?
a) The Grand River
b) The Big River
c) A lot of water coming through
d) Flowing water
e) The Colorado River
f) All of the above
Answer at: bit.ly/WhatRiverIsThis
📷: Stuart Ruckman