Uranium in the Four Corners

Opponents of uranium mining projects update the Federal Environmental Review and point out that uranium mines are very close to Redhill's traditional cultural assets approved and designated by the US Forest Office in 2010. Transportation of uranium has proved to be a major concern for communities in northern Arizona, especially Flagstaff. In 2010, Flagstaff City Council passed a resolution supporting the 20-year withdrawal of 1 million acres of federal park federal land from uranium mining by the Obama administration for 20 years.

Uranium mine took place in Utah State from the late 1940s to the 1950s. In the 1970s, the demand and motivation for uranium mining increased due to the competition between the Cold War and nuclear power plants. Mine workers in the four corners are trying to build wealth. It is well thought that Navajo Rook Yazi discovered major uranium deposits in Monument Valley, Utah. Trader Harry Goulding told the story that Yazzie saw a sample of uranium ore at Goulding's Trading Post counter. Later he showed the trader some samples he found. In return, he just received a free lunch. The place where Yazzie's sample was found became one of the largest uranium mines in Navajo Reserve. It brings tremendous wealth to the owner, but all income received by Rukyaz is a minimum wage of $ 130 per month over the next fifteen years.

When the risk of uranium mining is generally known, another environmental sanitation hazard is under construction: Omega Power Station. Between 1963 and 1970, five generators were built and put into the line, and good wages were obtained in areas with few opportunities. In 1974, the Navajo power station added more work. However, the two factories also introduce health hazards and emissions that destroy the climate such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, fly ash, carbon dioxide. Terry Eiler photographed these photos as part of the newly created EPA's Documerica project in early 1972. In the next decades, in response to environmental regulations, both facilities have introduced pollution control measures; when it did not work, they shut down the generator and reduced its capacity. The sky above the Grand Canyon became awkward, the air of the Navajo community near the plant became easier to breathe.