Source: http://intercontinentalcry.org/uranium-mine-expansion-threatens-the-lakota

The Canadian-based uranium giant Cameco Resources is attempting to expand their mining operation near Crawford, Nebraska. Last year they submitted a proposal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), asking permission to use another 2.4 billion gallons of water over the 4.7 billion they currently exploit (per year) from the High Plains aquifer, the largest aquifer in America.

If the expansion is approved as Cameco hopes it could seriously infringe on those who depend on water from the High Plains - and several interconnected aquifers; among them, the People of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and others in eight states from Nebraska to Texas. At the moment, the aquifer is being depleted at a rate of 160 percent above its ability to replenish.

A group of indigenous stakeholders and environmental organizations say this expansion must not happen. Led by Debra White Plume and Owe Aku (www.bringbacktheway.com), Tom Cook of Chadron NE, Slim Buttes Agricultural Development of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and the Western Nebraska Resources Council - the groups say the mining operation is already having a serious impact on Pine Ridge and other communities. In November, they filed a petition with a panel of judges with the NRC, seeking the right to participate in the decision regarding the expansion.

Among several concerns they've raised, the groups point to the massive spill in 1996 that brought nearly 300,000 gallons of radioactive waste to the aquifers. The company says they've cleaned it all, but the groups say Cameco left behind 100,000 gallons which they believe is slowly moving as a radioactive plume through the aquifers'one of which lies directly beneath Pine Ridge.

They also say there's a link between the 98 wells that have been closed because of radioactive contamination and an emerging health crisis at Pine Ridge. An unusually high number of cases are being reported of mothers having miscarriages; of children having brain seizures; of birth defects appearing in newborns; and in adults getting cancer and kidney disease. (Never mind the expansion, this should be more than enough to bring Cameco's operation to a grinding halt.)

Another concern raised by the group is directed at Cameco's water use. As discussed in one of three Press Releases (pdf) sent out by Save Crow Butte (www.savecrowbutte.org), the ongoing (and possibly increased) depletion of water not only threatens Pine Ridge's ability to sustain life, but it also infringes on 'the trust responsibility, hunting and fishing rights, as well as rights to meaningful and effective consultation concerning activities that may threaten the Tribe's water resources or the ability of the Lakota people to practice sacred ceremonies such as the 'sweat lodge' using local, pristine water unadulterated by the ISL mining process.'