Lakota elder and two-time President of the Tribe, Joe American Horse, awaits the start of a hearing in front of the NRC panel of judges.

URANIUM CASE

On Nov. 21 the three-judge Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) panel that has been reviewing challenges to the license renewal and expansion of a uranium mine in northwest Nebraska granted “intervenor status” to five individuals including Joe American Horse and Plenty Board member, Tom Cook and his wife Loretta Cook along with Debra White Plume and Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Bear of Pine Ridge Reservation. Five organizations including the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Owe Aku/Bring Back the Way were also granted intervenor status. The issues that form the basis of the challenges are all related to questions about the safety of the mining operations and adverse impacts to wetlands, water, the health of area populations and Lakota cultural practices. This is a major victory but doesn’t yet ensure that the wealthy and powerful uranium mining company will be stopped. Stay tuned to savecrowbutte.org and plentyblog.com for continuous developments in this battle that has implications for all Americans.