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.