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Show THE ZEPHYRJANFEB 1992 PAGE 26 the federal government, eager to build more bombs guaranteed the price for uranium ore. The rush was on and prospectors swarmed all over the desert with their Geiger counters seeking a yellow ore called camotite which contains uranium. When they found it they hauled it back to town to the Atlas Minerals Corporation uranium mill. The mill provided hundreds of jobs and was the most obvious sign of the prosperity. At first no one knew of the health hazards of radiation, but then there were reports of lung cancer caused by exposure to uranium dust Of course some people were skeptical, some felt this talk was a threat to their livelihoods. One well Intentloned citizen who challenged the Environmental Impact Statement for the mill received death threats. Since then Atlas Minerals has been accused of altering the health records of their employees and dumping radioactive waste Into the river. The tailings ponds which are located over a fault are leaking into the groundwater. The mill has not operated for years but Atlas refuses to clean it up. The old political structure who sold out the town's future continues to support the Industry hoping the good times will return. ' While camped on evening on the edge of a deep canyon I noticed a row of mines on a ledge far below. I wondered what life was like for the men who worked In those dark holes in this barren valley at the end of the road. Why would they choose an occupation that must have been lonely and dangerous? The talk around the fire focused on the mysterious disappearance of the Anasazl, Indians who left the area almost 800 years ago. The dark windows of their the homes along the cliffs are a frequent and haunting sight in the canyons. They left behind their beautiful pottery and many examples of their art carved or painted on the rocks. What drove them away? Was it war, disease, drought or deforestation? These are the same problems that plague all civilizations In decline. The fire died and my friends went off to the their tents. I stayed up thinking about these things, watching the stars rise over the horizon. As I'm sitting there I get a sense that I'm at the edge of a great crack In the globe of the earth spinning through space toward a future none of us can see. Still If we don't try to shape our future, someone else surely will, and we'll have to live with the consequences of what they create or be forced to abandon our homes and try again. In 1949 feedback the readers respond Dear Jim, Who the heck la Scott Groene? I'd move back to Moab just to be able to have regular conversations with him! Love that acid wit Aa one who'a watched Santa Fe deteriorate Into the cutesy adobe Disneyland It's I become, can only urge you guya to...Keep Uoab Uglyl Ill be through In April, but I promise I won't stay long or buy any real estate. Happy Humbugl Veronica Egan . Santa Fe, NM pre-histor- ic Larry Dear Jim, write for an environmentallnterview radio program on KDHX in St. Louis. The text enclosed was from a show about community planning. SL Louis Is now trying to live with the mistakes made back In the 1950's. We have several radioactive contaminated sites In the county. One is just upstream from the drinking water source for the city. I have followed the Zephyr's progress since It's beginning. It Is clearly showing improvement. I particularly like your comments sbout the future of Moab. I I j I just got back from Utah where I met some friends to explore the canyons. Utah has 8 National Parka and Monuments which feature Incredible geology and a rich archaeological history. My first visit, years ago was to see the Anasazl ruins, but most people come for the scenery which is dominated by the massive layers of colorful sandstone. This rock has weathered into a landscape of domes, fins, needles and arches too numerous to be imagined. While I was there I got to talk to some people about the uranium mining Industry. Considering our experience with Weldon Springs I thought it might be interesting to hear about their problems. Moab, Utah is the self proclaimed uranium capitol of the U.S. It was once the home of Edward Abbey the author of Desert Solitaire. He described it as the ugliest town in the most beautiful place on earth. In a well watered valley beside the Colorado River It was a quiet place of ranches and orchards until the cold war began. i i ! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ' , - - 265 South Main Street 259-634- 5 Undenberger |