Mining companies say the decision could cost the regional
economy billions of dollars. Environmentalists disagree and say
mining near the Grand Canyon would mar a natural treasure. Rob
Schumacher/The Arizona Republic/AP/File Teddy Roosevelt can rest
easy. The Obama administration on Wednesday formally unveiled a
plan to ban new uranium and other mining claims on 1 million
acres of federal lands bordering the Grand Canyon for 20 years –
a move that follows in the footsteps of the 26th president's
efforts in the early part of last century. With the price of
uranium soaring on international markets, thousands of new
mining claims were posted in recent years on lands near the
canyon – some within site of public viewing areas. Now, all
nascent claims will be blocked from development, although a
handful that had already reached a required federal threshold
for development may ultimately proceed. The administration move
was telegraphed in June by Secretary of the Interior Ken
Salazar, who at that time, announced an