This year is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park. Even with former fossil fuel lobbyists in charge of Trump administration environmental policy, this should be a time to celebrate.
Instead, the administration is considering whether to open this internationally iconic landmark to new uranium mining claims. The president recently classified uranium as a “critical mineral,” despite it not matching the definition of the term.
Opening protected land to the industry, as influential mining and political figures are urging him to do regardless of the public health or environmental risks, would be a logical next step...