PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Uranium and Oil Exploration

During the Cold War climate of the early 1950s, the Atomic Energy Commission encouraged the exploration and milling of uranium through a system of price supports and other incentives. This touched off a uranium boom, particularly on the Colorado Plateau. In southern Utah's Capitol Reef National Park, for example, the Department of the Interior attempted to prevent uranium mining and exploration, but the AEC cited national security as warranting full development of domestic uranium sources and pushed for prospecting in any potential uranium-bearing formations within public lands. In February 1952 a special use permit was signed between the AEC and the Park Service that opened Capitol Reef's lands to uranium miners. [1500] While no such action was taken at Pipe Spring National Monument, a considerable amount of exploration for uranium and oil took place on surrounding lands, including some on the Kaibab Indian Reservation.

During September 1952, Heaton began to report that a number of people camping on the monument were prospectors for oil and minerals: "Government men out looking for oil on Indian Reservation and will start drilling in a few weeks." [1501] That month 46 people camped for one or more nights at the monument, with a number of prospectors using the campgrounds as a base for their activities. It was reported at the Zion staff meeting in early November that drilling on the reservation by oil companies was to begin as soon as equipment could be set up. In March 1953 more oil prospectors were conducting oil exploration on the reservation.

Prospecting activity noticeably increased from June through October 1954, with concomitant use of the monument's campground. [1502] In early July Heaton reported,

There have also been a lot of prospectors going and coming through the monument hunting for that rare metal, Uranium. Instead of traveling with the lowly donkey (the Desert Nightingale) and pick and shovel, they have the high-powered gas wagons and geiger counters. Several hundred acres have been staked to the west and southwest of the monument. [1503]

In August 1954 Heaton reported, "More oil and uranium activities starting in the area." [1504] Heaton reported that mining and drilling had begun in the area "and the roads are kept busy with workmen driving to and from their work." [1505] In early September he wrote, "Quite a large outfit for core drill for uranium passed, going west. Report 40 or 60 300-foot holes are to be drilled." [1506] In October Heaton wrote, "Uranium drillers are here.

Pulled in last night. [They are] working some 10 miles to the west of the monument." [1507] There were no reports of rich finds. Several oil companies were trying to close leases on private lands so that they could begin drilling that winter. Heaton also reported a new user of Pipe Spring water: "Uranium mines are hauling quite a bit of water from the monument to use in their drilling operation." [1508] Area mining operations closed down over the winter of 1954-1955, except for a few claims staked by private individuals. In January 1955 Heaton reported, "The Mineral Engineering Company of Pueblo, Colorado is doing some core drilling for uranium on the cedar ridge 10 miles west of the monument. There was some drilling before but could not make any good test because of moisture and water in the ground at about 60 to 80 feet." [1509]