11 Most Endangered Historic Places

Submitted by earthnsky at: July 16, 2010
The mining problem: One mountain sits atop a vast and rich uranium deposit. Another mountain sits atop veins of gold. Other mountains hold silver, copper, coal, diamonds, emeralds... Shall we simply destroy them all so we can say we profited ? These mountains also hold the footsteps of generations past, present and future. And these mountains hold pure waters so that all beings may live. When the oil industry began deep water drilling they claimed that the new technology is safe and had come a long way in the last decades. Yet the 1979 gulf leak in 50 feet of water is reported in news that sounds identical to the news of 2010. Sound familiar ? Nuclear power will not power the future. I DO want to see it shut down as an industry. America would need 5000 power plants or more right now and these are not even in the planning stages. Even still, the toxic waste will have no home. While miners enjoy jobs in service of self-serving corporations, they believe they work to help our nation generate electricity. But the spent nuclear fuel is now used to make bullets that already pepper the landscape of Iraq with radiation. The money earned will tidy up the neighborhood for a while, yes, while many workers will spend their pay on liquor to poison their bodies at the bar. One only needs to look at the ruin left behind at mining operations across the country to see the short-sighted ambitions, greed, recklessness, and the abject misunderstanding about life, earth, and our purpose here. More importantly there is a gross misunderstanding about how the Earth holds things safe and deep in it's layers. Life evolves on the surface quite nicely because we do not come into contact with many of these substances, like oil, tar, gas, uranium. You who would work and raise families on those good jobs are actually toxifying the very world your children will have to inherit from you. How can that make sense ? This has been the paradox of the industrial age and as an experiment it is failing in every part of the globe. The sun sends more energy to the Earth in one second than humanity has ever used. If we cannot discover another form of free energy technology, then solar power will have to evolve into greater efficiency. That process alone will provide many good jobs for a lifetime, with none of the harm and toxicity of uranium mining. Good luck persuading men not to go on raping for dollars. That is human nature, ok fine. And they are not gardeners after all, they are soldiers essentially. But let me point out that the Amish have survived all this time in the U.S., predominantly without electricity or mining, or fossil fuels. (i'll forget the puppy mills and religious dogma for now ) They have not only survived but thrived and continue to buy up more land across the mid west. It is not uranium that fuels our future but rather how we focus our energy and understanding. I'll bet millions of unemployed, down and out Americans right now would be willing to drop out and be adopted and trained by the Amish if they made the offer. So save your mountain (and your water) for something more enduring and interesting than just digging radioactive dirt out of it.

Submitted by lived there at: May 20, 2010
I note a lot of uninformed comments. Uranium at Mt. Taylor is 3000-3600 feet below surface. Mining has been underground there, not strip mine. Mining law of 1872 is a land tenure law not an environmental law. Mines still have to be permitted under environmental laws and can be denied. Saying that Law of 1872 does not prtect environment is like saying that divorce laws don't prevent drunken driving. Two different things.

Submitted by shorty at: May 17, 2010
i think it will blow one of these day

Submitted by Me at: March 26, 2010
If you think that 'MAN' can endanger a volcano,Just wait till it burps.... They will leave

Submitted by lovenm at: February 25, 2010
Having recently moved back to New Mexico after being gone for almost 20 years, it is amazing to much how much of the landscape is now filled with homes. I too, would hate to see such a beautiful place destoryed. As I child I would look out the car window on drives to Socorro and wonder what it was like at Mount Taylor. Having only recently visited there, I was amazed with its beauty. Let's preserve it for future generations.

Submitted by wonder at: December 7, 2009
As a historic preservation Major,and some one whos Great great great anceters were Native american I pray this land be preserved so that it may continue to be a part of its people as its people are a part of it.

Submitted by jbee at: November 12, 2009
I remember traveling for 3 months in the west when I was 12. The powerful beauty and peace enthralled me even then,because we were from Florida and I thought nothing could compare to the sea. WRONG!!! I close my eyes and at 50 can still see the Grand Canyon, Dinosaur Mountain, the `Painted Desert, Mount Taylor, the pueblos high in the cliffs, wild horses and bison, and so much more. In the name of profit I have seen mountaintop "removal" in W.Va. and oil flowing in the gulf after a hurricane. I want to congratulate the natives and non-natives who worked together to save this jewel. Where you see a holy place some see only $$. Oh, and next time they come sniffing around, ask which of their holy-of-holys YOU can destroy. PEACE to the land and the stewards of it.

Submitted by decendentofanindian at: November 4, 2009
Hi, it's me again. Wanted to offer further commentary--why do they want to destroy such a beautiful mountain? It's great to look up in the winter and see the snow.

Submitted by decendentofanindian at: November 3, 2009
Every morning, I look out my back door window to see Mt. Taylor. I really do not want to see a strip mine. Protect our heritage!

Submitted by ashiwi at: August 12, 2009
yeah i agree with Nativeamerican, all these laws that were put into effect is what is hurting us now....but you should realize that in the past there were no laws and the land belonged to the first descendents of the world...we need to keep this world the way it is and was meant to be, and for the future of our younger generation!

Submitted by Nativemercan at: August 11, 2009
"governed by the 1872 Mining Law, which permits mining regardless of its impact on cultural or natural resources", that part kills me, and the MIGHT harm the river part is insane. See Animas river, looks nice but will kill you. Please despense with the 'Americans did this or took that part'. This is the work of a few, that can be stopped by the many. The beauty of Mt Taylor transcends our 'wants'. We need to keep it as is.

Submitted by TL at: August 9, 2009
Leave something for us to look back on with pride, that we had the good sense not to destroy. We Americans have leveled so many historical sites and ravaged land all in the name of progress, which in the end looks like regression. We need no more coffee shops, strip malls or mining, leave the land that we have left with the soul that is has, destroy no more.

Submitted by Mebs at: August 2, 2009
This is the time to learn from past mistakes. NOW. No uranium development on Mt. Taylor, period. We know what has happened to other important sacred sites. We should be learning from people with a sacred relationship to the land, not destroying the land. No more argument: no uranium mining on or around Mt. Taylor

Submitted by Marjazz at: July 18, 2009
Please leave the land alone. No more exploitation. MAN keeps harping to feed his ego! We and future generations will not be able to enjoy this land in its natural state if we keep abusing it.This is what businesses bring GREED.

Submitted by me at: July 1, 2009
the native american people are educated now....{and this was against their will}....anyway....now they use it against those who stole the land from us to get it back. but lets clear one thing up.....the land does not belong to us the native americans or anyone else......it is here for us all and we just want to protect what is left of it and what is left of out "spiritual" places. we have lost alot and really do not want to lose it anymore. all we want is for a right to have a say in what goes on....we have been ignored too long.

Submitted by koga at: July 1, 2009
osiyo tohitsu how much more do they want in the name of what.is there not enough lost? cant something remain

Submitted by Anonymous at: June 30, 2009
Aho, I have arisen many mornings looking at this majestic sight of Gods' creation. Thank you for fighting to preserve this sacred site for which the Native American's cherish dearly, many blessings, Aho. revised: changed spelling, : )

Submitted by BoomBoom at: June 30, 2009
Aho, I have arisen many mornings looking at this majestic site of Gods' creation. Thank you for fighting to preserve this sacred site for which the Native American's cherish dearly, many blessings, Aho.

Submitted by Brooklands at: June 28, 2009
I have only seen Mt. Taylor from a distance on my last trip to Albuquerque. On that trip we had limited time and used it to visit Acoma on a feast day. We plan to spend more time in the area on our next Rt 66 excursion, and do not want to find out that more sacred Native American lands have been destroyed by corporate greed. Please protect this land for future generations...

Submitted by JRV at: June 26, 2009
If we don't save it, we will lose it forever.

Submitted by bee at: June 12, 2009
no thank you ashiwi,for your honesty and your understanding, take care and god bless, see ya.

Submitted by ashiwi at: June 11, 2009
yeah, what you are saying is true...we have our younger generation to think of and F.Y.I. we, the native americans not only ask blessings for ourselves but we do ask for blessings for the entire world, so in this sense we all should work together to help 'mother earth' strive and replenish for the younger generation....be it in the form of the landscape and all...Thanks, bee, for the response.

Submitted by bee at: June 8, 2009
like i said ashiwi. it is a beautiful mountain just like the other surrounding mountains like the zunis and and sandia and so forth. we are living on one earth there is no other to go too, the earth as you call it mother earth is deplieting let us not wast time fighting for what should all be ours and live together and try to make it a better place for the younger generations to come, they are the ones who will be here last. let us not leave them to hate or be hated.

Submitted by ashiwi at: June 5, 2009
this is in response to 'bee', yeah you came here and took over what was rightfully native american lands, and it is to this day that we the native americans have to go and fight back for the lands that have been taken away because of all the beuracracy and the "white man's laws". It is sad to see that the lands on Mt. Taylor belong to settlers of the area and it, since time immemorial, has rightfully belonged to the Native Americans...

Submitted by kitten at: June 5, 2009
i agree with aaron mount taylor is the coolest

Submitted by aaron at: June 5, 2009
hi mount taylor is the coolest

Submitted by bee at: June 2, 2009
I've lived here all my life and the mountain looks the same, beautiful as ever. I lived on the eastern part of the mountain and have always enjoyed it. It may become a threat to development, if the people unite and come to terms with the situation. I understand the natives want to preserve it, but there are other people who are owners of the land, be it land grants or private ,it is theirs. Yes WE came here and took over your land many years ago, and you had to learn the ways of foriegners and their traditions and cultures which make you the people you are today. Proud and Stuborn.

Submitted by ricasha at: May 30, 2009
I spent my childhood in Grants. I remember the majestic beauty of the mountain & a special visit to Acoma Sky City. Please preserve this historic place.

Submitted by Abs at: May 20, 2009
This place looks like a wonderful place, lets work together as a community and help our governor and council member provide this evidence they talk about.

Submitted by Jylan at: May 20, 2009
Lets make every effort to save Mt.Taylor.

Submitted by Ton_Ton at: May 20, 2009
Please help to save wonderful place it brings out alot of eye opening wonders when you go and visit.

Submitted by Janet at: May 19, 2009
Please make every effort to help us save Mt. Taylor

Submitted by geography at: May 19, 2009
Mt. Taylor is wonderful place to go and have a wonderful time with your family ( I NEVER BEEN THERE )

Submitted by Back on earth at: May 18, 2009
I'm not sure I'm getting it right. The "endangered status" for this site is strictly based on the potential development of uranium mining?

Submitted by Singing Wren at: May 15, 2009
An Acoma Song....Early this morning the rain spirits from Kawehshtiima awakened and brought forth their yellow clouds, they set down the yellow fog, with this they will bring new life to the people, livestock and refreshing water to drink. Can You see the rain coming, can you feel the droplets fall on your face, can you hear the thunder, they're telling us they have accepted our prayers from you and our Field Chiefs.... Brothers and Sisters can you hear their ratlles and crashing of the turtle shells, can you smell the fresh fallen rain. Please pray faithfully to save Kawehshtiima; Strength and Courage - your Brother - Singing Wren

Submitted by lawdawg at: May 15, 2009
I have enjoyed viewing Mt Taylor for 50 yrs, its importance to our American Indian way of life has been handed down for many generations our version which I now share among my Acoma Bros & Sis She is very much in each of our lives regardless of Race or Creed. She is in prayer, she is in song and she is there each morning to greet us with new life, hope, and inspiration. It is from sacred places such as Kawehshtiima, TsiBiina, DauTyumah, and KuuChaanah, OUR sacred mtns that we get these gifts. It is up to us brothers ans sisters Indian and non-Indian alike to unite in prayer, in sharing a common voice to let economic industry / devlopment know that MONEY is NOT the answer, but preservation is. Money as they say is the driving root of evil, if we allow Kawehshtiima to be explored, developed and destroyed then what have we done to the beauty given to us; the new life, hope and inspiration we see each day for which I give Thanks. Let's join forces in prayer with faith and sincerity to SAVE Kawehshtiima because she cant speak to save herself, it 's up to us to do that for her. Strength and Courage to all my brothers and sisters.

Submitted by D.J. Tsabetsaye at: May 14, 2009
Mount Taylor has culture values

Submitted by jasper at: May 13, 2009
Mount Taylor should indeed be undisturbed as far as any developement which relates to natural resources, or any kind of developement whatsoever. To many Native Americans, Mount Taylor serves as a significant part of our religion. Please help to preserve our religious roots.

Submitted by Livingstone at: May 11, 2009
I sincerely hope that Mount Taylor is kept from any kind of industrial development. I am a Native American, and we all have to respect what we have now. Far too many religious sites have been damaged and ripped up in America. We, as Zunis, as well as tribes in the region understand the need for Mount Taylors' preservation. Thank You.

Submitted by DG at: May 9, 2009
1872 mining law?! Wow! None of the previous Presidents ever thought to change laws from such a rediculous time in US history? A time when it was alright to move whole Indigenous people from their homes just because there was oil and gold present. "Land grab" CJ? So now when the shoe is on the other foot its called a "land grab"? Ok. whatever. Mister-they want to take my land back. And for the first question about the recents Presidents, i forgot that one of their hidden promises was to take care of those who contributed to their campaing fund. Man! fresh printed money smells good i must agree.

Submitted by goofball at: May 8, 2009
please do not disturb the mountain that is Mt. Taylor. This mountain has a huge amount of cultural significance that one cannot fathom. please save Mt. Taylor

Submitted by Rancid-Savage at: May 8, 2009
This mountain is holy as well to us Dine' (Navajo), this is the home to some of our holy people, this mountain has power that the outsiders do not know of, there are sacred things that grow and can only be obtained from the mountain. We need to and will save this sacred of spots, this mountain is one of the four sacred mountains that we Dine' have to save. Put it this way, let us mine and change the face of the Vatican, the Mormon Tabernacle, the Dome of the Rock, The White House, that would never ever be tolerated by society, so what is the difference here...nothing, save our sacred sites.

Submitted by Hale Relic at: May 8, 2009
This is one sacred place that it not violated yet. There are fewer every day. It should be protected so that those of us that can still hear and feel and see have somewhere to go and feel the earth's spirit. Most of the planet seems like open wounds to me. It takes a long time for the balance to be healed. Unfortunalely most people seem oblivious to the refined details of life's harmony.

Submitted by ALTIN TSETHLIKAI at: May 8, 2009
who care's really what the mountain has been used for in the past or, what they plan to do with it in the future. i believe, it should be saved ALL generations to follow. i remember Mt. Taylor, on my way to Abq - that's it. but as far as natural resources and the scenary that accompanys such a landscape, it should be saved. i would much rather see the mountain, than some smelter or, mining of some sort. yes, it may be important to the acoma's and we should help in saving it. how would you like it, if a church was torn down, even if it helped the people in the community. just because non-native's are against native american cultures and customs, does not mean we need to distroy something that was build by God, instead of man. throw that argument around - is it better to tear ruin something built by God for 1,000 and 1,000 of years or, by man, that took less a decade (in most cases)? that's what i think... I AGREE WITH THIS PERSON, VERY STRONGLY AGREE

Submitted by buttercup at: May 7, 2009
It's great to wake up every morning to look to the north and see this beautiful mountain. It's another attemp to destroy what nature has put there. We should perserve all natural landscapes for everyone to enjoy whether they are native or not. Look at all the land where mining was done and see how it effected the enviroment and well as the water and way of life in those areas.

Submitted by naturelover at: May 7, 2009
I agree with submitted by me on May 7, 2009. This is God's wonderful creation.

Submitted by just me at: May 7, 2009
who care's really what the mountain has been used for in the past or, what they plan to do with it in the future. i believe, it should be saved ALL generations to follow. i remember Mt. Taylor, on my way to Abq - that's it. but as far as natural resources and the scenary that accompanys such a landscape, it should be saved. i would much rather see the mountain, than some smelter or, mining of some sort. yes, it may be important to the acoma's and we should help in saving it. how would you like it, if a church was torn down, even if it helped the people in the community. just because non-native's are against native american cultures and customs, does not mean we need to distroy something that was build by God, instead of man. throw that argument around - is it better to tear ruin something built by God for 1,000 and 1,000 of years or, by man, that took less a decade (in most cases)? that's what i think...

Submitted by jazzman4menow at: May 6, 2009
I am for saving as much nature as we can and Mt Taylor is high on the list in the southwest.

Submitted by JL at: May 4, 2009
Warp - and remind me again what we do when the uranium's all gone? Mining uranium for energy is only delaying the inevitable. (Mining it for "defense" purposes is even more ridiculous.) Rip the bandaid OFF already, reduce your power consumption, seek alternative energy solutions if needed. Leave the mountain alone - we might need it someday, oh, maybe to provide us with CLEAN WATER, AIR and sustenance? That's the real "homeland" security. Think mining can be compatible with clean water? Think again.

Submitted by CJ at: May 1, 2009
I too live at the base of Mount Taylor. It the tribes want to call is sacred, let em! They certainly don't need to impair my rights to enjoy National Forest land in order to call it sacred. This is a land grab, pure and simple. The listing on this website is a complete joke.

Submitted by Dildo at: April 30, 2009
Oh for chrissake. It's a mountain.

Submitted by resident at: April 29, 2009
I live in the foothills of Mt. Taylor. My home is surrounded by this wonderful landscape. My view is second to none. I have experienced, annually, first hand, how the American Indian pinon pickers have desecrated their "sacred, spiritual, life-sustaining" Mt. I DO NOT want to see this Mt. destroyed in any way. And I OPPOSE a permanent listing of Mt. Taylor as a traditional cultural property under any circumstances. To: "doh", if you couldn't see the wilderness, you haven't walked in my shoes.

Submitted by Cibola7 at: April 29, 2009
Mt. Taylor is the first thing I see from my window in the morning and, by moonlight, the last thing I see at night. To think of seeing mining operations marring this beautiful landscape makes me shudder! Mt. Taylor can be seen as sacred, in a way, by all of us if we learn to view nature as more than a money making venture.

Submitted by Native Mind at: April 29, 2009
Mt. Taylor should be left alone for all to appreciate the beauty and Traditions that this place has to offer. Non-Natives will never understand the true meaning of SACRED. Money and power is all most think of before health and future generations it could possibly damage. I am sure Uranium can come from another source.

Submitted by doh at: April 29, 2009
That Taylor is pilgrimage site there is no doubt but it also has a complex history of development including timber (lots of roads), uranium, electronics, powerlines and heavy grazing. This is no wilderness, but lets hope the designation will encourage more thoughtful development and coordination of uses.

Submitted by Warp at: April 29, 2009
Isn't uranium mining a key to reducing human carbon dioxide releases?

Submitted by Dolly at: April 28, 2009
WOw! Imagine if the U.S did something positive for the Acomas besides let them open a casino. Obama! Speak!

Submitted by don at: April 28, 2009
what a great place!!!

Submitted by Di at: April 28, 2009
In 1977, I spent an entire summer (about 10 weeks) camping near the base of Mt. Taylor while I worked on an archaeological site. I hiked all throughout the area and became somewhat familiar with its varied plant and animal life. Preshistoric settlements dot the region and, should development continue, their destruction is guaranteed. The site we excavated was fairly well protected as our only access was accross gated and fenced private land. Also important to note is that Mt. Taylor is one of the four sacred mountains that mark the cardinal directions for the Navajo people.