SANTA FE, N.M. – At a press conference today, New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard issued an executive order banning the leasing of state lands for new uranium mining and related activities. The order directs the State Land Office to focus on cleaning up legacy uranium sites and calls on the uranium industry and the federal government to prioritize, fund and meaningfully address the legacy problems caused by uranium production.
New Mexico has a painful history as the largest producer of uranium ore in the United States, which has left a legacy of over 1,000 former uranium mining, milling, and exploratory drilling sites in the state, of which 250 are considered abandoned because they are not associated with a viable responsible party (at least 50 of the sites involve state trust lands). Meanwhile, the Trump administration is aggressively pushing to increase uranium production nationwide despite the fact that the federal government and responsible private parties have failed to address the thousands of unremediated uranium sites in New Mexico and beyond.
“New Mexico has always been at the center of uranium production in this country, but our citizens have been ignored and disrespected by the industry and the federal government for far too long. That stops now,” said Commissioner Garcia Richard. “As Land Commissioner, I have not allowed any uranium mining on state lands and today’s action solidifies this prohibition to protect our communities and our land and water. Indigenous communities and New Mexico families have suffered the environmental and health effects inherent in living near a uranium pit or downwind from a nuclear testing site. The Trump administration’s push for aggressive uranium development is a low blow to these communities, and I will keep doing everything in my power to fight back.”
Download a copy of the executive order here.
Additional Quotes:
“I have legislation to withdraw federal lands from uranium mining in the Chama watershed because we know that that watershed precious and it is fragile. That Chama watershed is important not just for the Native Americans who rely on it, not just important for the people who might want to go and be enjoying themselves at Abiquiu Lake or Ghost Ranch. It is the water that feeds our crops along the acequias. It is the water that feeds into the rivers that feed and nourish Santa Fe. We also know that this administration is undermining protections. While the President is saying no to protect our lands, we are thankful that the state, the Land Commissioner, and all of the people who protect and hold sacred the land that we are standing on today are saying, ‘no more uranium mining.’”
-Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández
“Uranium is part of the story of my community. It is part of our families. And it is a history, a legacy we are still living with. No community in New Mexico should have to sacrifice its people, its water, or its land so somebody else can make a profit. I am proud that today we are choosing differently. We still have mines to clean up. We still have families who deserve justice. And we daughters are still fighting for our fathers. And I promise you, we will make damn sure our children don’t inherit the same fight. Thank you.”
-Senator Angel Charley
“I want to thank all of the communities in Northern New Mexico, Chama, Taos, Santa Fe, Española, all the way to Albuquerque that are supporting us. This is an important issue for the children of tomorrow, our children and their children. We have to fight for them so they have a healthy ecosystem that they don’t have to worry about where they are going to get their water, where farmers and ranchers can grow food to support our nation.”
-Rio Arriba County Commission Chair Moises Morales
“I want to express our total support for Commissioner Garcia Richard as she stands up here against these outside companies that come into New Mexico and strip our lands of minerals. Once they’ve extracted what they want and made all the money they can, they close up and leave. We will no longer be disrespected by any of these outsiders. We will no longer allow them to lie about how mining brings much needed jobs to our communities. We want more four our children and grandchildren that to work in the uranium mine. I vehemently oppose any new uranium mining in the state.”
-Javier Vigil, Northern New Mexico Rock Foundation & Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium
“My grandfather worked in uranium. My father worked in uranium. So, I did not learn about this issue from a policy paper. I learned it from my family, from the people who went into those mines, and from communities that were left with the consequences long after the uranium was gone. And that is why this moment belongs, first, to those communities. You kept pushing. And today, you won something. That is worth celebrating. We have enough uranium mines. Now let’s clean up what was left behind, protect our water, and build what comes next.”
-Keegan King, Founder & CEO, Native Land Institute
———–
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has earned more than $15 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.