N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 22-1030: Legislative findings

§ 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.