§ 22-1030. Legislative findings.

The legislature hereby finds and declares that mining of uranium may
pose a significant danger to the public health, safety and welfare and
the environment in that:

1. such mining activities may pose a significant threat of
contamination and depletion of the state's drinking water supplies,
including surface and subsurface waters;

2. mining activity poses the danger of release of airborne radioactive
particulates which may endanger the health of residents and the value of
livestock and dairy products;

3. no adequate method currently exists for storing wastes created as a
result of uranium mining;

4. in the event of abandonment of any such mine site caused by
financial insolvency or other reasons, significant cleanup costs may be
forced upon state or local governments and may harm their fiscal
integrity;

5. abatement of the hazards associated with uranium mining requires
technology or administrative techniques not yet extant, proven reliable,
or proven economically feasible;

6. the activities associated with uranium mining may detract from
scenic qualities, and reduce property values, tourist revenues, and the
general quality of life in the affected area.

The legislature therefore finds that particular caution is needed in
determining public policy pertaining to the mining of uranium and that
the prohibition of this activity is necessary at this time to insure the
protection of the public health, safety and welfare.