The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7B.Add,
- Welcomes the State Party’s decision to not authorize the Tusayan residential and commercial development, which had the potential to impact the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
- Also welcomes the establishment in 2012 of a 20-year uranium mining withdrawal from 400,000 hectares of land around the Grand Canyon and the ongoing 15-year scientific study to better understand environmental impacts from uranium mining near the property;
- Notes with significant concern that there are 11 consented uranium mining proposals in the area surrounding the property that are exempt from the 20-year withdrawal due to valid existing rights, and considers that such mining activities, if they were to proceed, could have significant direct and cumulative impacts on the OUV of the property;
- Reiterates its position that mineral exploration or exploitation is incompatible with World Heritage status, which is supported by the International Council of Mining and Metals’ (ICMM) Position Statement;
- Requests the State Party to ensure that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are completed for the proposed uranium mining developments, particularly prior to resuming operations for the Canyon Mine project, temporarily closed in 2013, which should include a specific assessment of the impact on the OUV, in line with IUCN’s World Heritage Advice Note on Environmental Assessment;
- Also notes with concern that the Grand Canyon Escalade project may have negative impacts on the OUV of the property, and also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre updated information on the status of this project and its review process;
- Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2017, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.