A_01_RO_RA_030914_MS Spring 11 12 1 10 2 forward Today Don’t forget 9 3 High 70 to set clocks Low 39 8 4 ahead one 7 5 hour at 2 a.m. Weather, F6 6 today. AP SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 Sturgis middle Stevens girls earn a ticket school to spend Read more $3M on renovation to state tournament about it on F1 Read about the changes on E1 $2.00 • To subscribe, call us at (877) 525-6397 A publication of Lee Enterprises CONCUSSIONS STILL A CONCERN FOR CHL Uranium mine foes in regroup mode Ecological and tribal cultural issues part of opposition strategy Joe O’Sullivan Journal staff In the wake of a recent set- back for their cause, opponents of a proposed uranium mine near Edgemont are planning their strategy and gearing up for an August federal hearing, where they will attack the methods used by federal nuclear regulatory officials who have given initial approval to the mining plan. A quick glance at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s initial report on the proposed uranium mine near Edgemont seems to indicate that all signs are go for federal approval of Azarga Ura- Journal file nium Corp’s proposed Dewey- Rapid City Rush forward Andrew Martin, center, collides with Quad City Mallards defenseman Bobby Preece, during a Dec. 3, 2010, Central Burdock uranium mine. Hockey League game at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Ice Arena. The hit caused Martin to suffer a concussion and led to his retirement as a The NRC recently issued a draft player. Preece now plays for Rapid City. operating license, and its staff rec- ommended approving the project in an environmental impact state- ment for the proposal put forth by Powertech Uranium that is now being pursued by Azarga Uranium, a Hong Kong-based investment group that recently merged with LIVING ON Powertech. Mining opponents, however, are rallying around the prospect of a hearing scheduled in August that they hope will give voice to some of their concerns — and the com- mission’s process to approve it. Benjamin Brayfield, Journal staff And increasingly, tribal offi- Chiropractor Ryan Swenson adjusts Rapid cials are expressing grave concerns THIN ICE City Rush defenseman Ryan Palmer before a Jim Holland during a home game on Dec. 3, 2010, against over the approval process and the game against the Denver Cutthroats. Journal staff the Quad City Mallards. prospect that mining could dam- A teeth-rattling collision with then- kind of crossed paths,” Martin recalled. age cultural sites. It was one concussion too many for Quad City defenseman Bobby Preece took Martin finished the game, making an In August, attorneys repre- Andrew Martin. Martin completely off his skates. He didn’t unsuccessful shot attempt during a shoot- senting opponents of the pro- The fast-skating, high-scoring forward lose consciousness, but he still had to use out deciding Quad City’s 5-4 win that night. posed mine will make their case from Brampton, Ontario, signed with the the boards to steady himself as he made his But he knew something wasn’t right. before an NRC board, arguing Rapid City Rush in 2010 after playing hockey way back to the bench. He had suffered a concussion, a hit to the that the study was incomplete in the United Kingdom in 2008-2009. “I was looking one way. He was looking head that causes the brain to move inside the and did not fully address water His season got off to a good start with the other way. He got his head up at the last skull, a sudden movement that can cause it issues, ignores tribal cultural five goals and seven assists in 19 games. second, and he got his hands and his elbows to swell. issues and does not look out for But that season, and ultimately his up in my face. It was one of those things endangered species. career, came literally to a crashing halt where I didn’t even see him coming. We just Concussions, A5 Uranium, A8 Fall River sheri had not paid property taxes in fi ve years Delinquency found by certainly energize the upcoming Jarman, who along with Mraz the 2009 tax obligation to more Fall River County sheriff’s race. lives in Edgemont, then made than $1,600, according to the sheriff’s opponent; sheriff It all began when Brett Jar- the 25-mile drive on Wednesday Fall River County Treasurer’s calls it an ‘oversight’ man, a former Edgemont police to the courthouse in Hot Springs website. chief who unsuccessfully ran for and raised the ante by pay- To buy the certificate, Jarman Andrea J. Cook the county’s top law enforcement ing more than $6,000 to claim also had to pay Mraz’s past-due Journal staff job in 2010, said that while on the the certificate the county took taxes for 2010, 2011 and 2012, Jarman Mraz county’s website reviewing his in 2010 after Mraz failed to pay along with the 2013 taxes, pay- The sheriff dismissed it as an taxes, he discovered that Sheriff 2008 taxes due in 2009. able this year. oversight. the county treasurer suddenly Rich Mraz hadn’t paid his prop- At the time, Mraz and his Later on Wednesday, Mraz An opponent in the 2010 pri- resigned as the information came erty taxes in five years. wife, Jennifer, owed approxi- redeemed the certificates by pay- mary race said he discovered it by to light last week. “It just blew my mind,” said mately $1,157 in taxes on their ing his taxes. accident. In any event, the curious Jarman, who added the discovery home and a lot in Edgemont. And no one is saying why sequence of events will almost “was a fluke.” Interest and penalties increased Tax, A4 ON THE WEB THE BIG NUMBER INSIDE Number Classifieds B1 10 signs you’re of people Commentary E4 on the Business D1 ready for spring Malaysian Legislature A6 jet that Life & Style C1 In honor of the time change, we disap- look forward to the ways we peared Obituaries E6, 7, 8, 9 Opinion E5 prepare for warmer weather at 239 from radar Friday and Sports F1 rapidcityjournal.com/wonder remains Weather F6 Find out more on E10 missing. West River Life E1 A_08_RO_RA_030914_MS A8 | SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014 LOCAL RAPID CITY JOURNAL » From A1 mine, but two main ones premature,” Hollenbeck Maureen Conley, a the permits.’ At that point, opponents will sue to have that will be heard in August said. The company is also spokeswoman for the NRC, from our perspective, the it put on hold. deal with old Indian burial working with area tribes defends her agency’s pro- ship has sailed.” “That is certainly their Uranium grounds and whether water through what’s known as a cesses. In an email, Con- Hollenbeck disputes game plan,” Hollenbeck polluted during the mining programmatic agreement, ley wrote that NRC “staff that Azarga has not sur- said. “It always has been. Known as the Atomic could spread through the he added. has been independently veyed the aquifers. The science is not on their Safety and Licensing region’s aquifers. But Jeffrey Parsons, an and thoroughly review- “We have certainly side and they know it.” Board, it is made up of Frankel says Azarga is attorney representing the ing Azarga’s application, looked at the old pump Even with a federal judges who will hear those relying on cultural assess- Oglala Sioux Tribe, said following procedures set tests, as well as we did our operating license, Azarga contentions over the proj- ments performed by Azarga still has a responsi- forth in NRC regulations.” own pump tests,” he said. will still need approval ect’s environmental impact Augustana College that bility to make a full survey Since 2010, NRC staff- “Our hydrologists are from the Environmental statement and licens- didn’t excavate any areas of tribal cultural assets at ers have had numerous completely confident that Protection Agency and two ing process. The meeting to determine if Native the site. And Oglala Sioux meetings, phone calls and we can contain the fluids.” state permitting boards, will take place in either American graves are on the Tribal President Bryan webinars with area tribes, Further, opponents will which have held hearings Rapid City, Hot Springs or proposed mine’s approxi- Brewer told the NRC as according to Conley. argue that the environ- but issued no rulings. Custer, according to David mately 10,500 acres. much in a Feb. 5 letter. “The NRC staff has mental impact statement Opponents protested Frankel, an attorney repre- The area was known as a “It is a poor excuse for consulted in good faith did adequately explore vigorously at the start of senting Clean Water Alli- camping spot and hosts NRC to provide the Tribes with (Standing Rock) and the impact the mine will those board meetings, both ance and other opponents. old burial sites for tribes and public an after-the- other tribes, and the staff have on water quantity of which were put on hold On Aug. 18 — the first such the Oglala Sioux and fact opportunity to com- has repeatedly invited in the aquifers or discuss until the federal agencies day of proceedings — the Standing Rock Sioux, ment on any cultural (them) to take a more any efforts Azarga will rule on the projects. To members of the public will according to Frankel. reviews outside (the offi- active role in consulta- take to lessen any nega- Hollenbeck, the objections be able to make comments. “They’re about to bull- cial environmental assess- tions,” Conley wrote.