Section 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.