2nd Prayer Walk Held to Raise Awareness on Radioactive Roads Bill

Some of the participants of the walk held on September 9th

Florida (UCTP Taíno News) – A group of Indigenous Peoples and allies held a prayer walk to bring awareness to the so-called “Radioactive Roads Bill” and the Climate Crisis. The 8 mile walk was held on September 9th and was organized by Garrett Stuart and Betty Osceola of Miccosukee Tribe. The walk was supported by the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP).

Commenting on the prayer walk, UCTP Florida Liaison Officer Robert Rosa stated, “It’s important to connect people with nature as well as to bring attention to the fact that we are only killing ourselves when we allow the destruction of the environment.”

The controversial “radioactive roads” bill was lobbied for by the fertilizer giant Mosaic and signed by Florida Republican Governor DeSantis in June 2023. The bill allows for roads across the State of Florida to be made with "radioactive" mining waste that has been linked to cancer. The measure allows phosphogypsum to be added to the list of "recyclable materials" used for road construction. Phosphogypsum are the remains left behind from mining phosphate, which is described by the EPA as being a "radioactive material" because it contains "small amounts" of uranium and radium. 

Phosphate is used to create fertilizer and as the leftover material, phosphogypsum, decays it produces radon, which is a potentially cancer-causing, radioactive gas. The Clean Air Act requires that phosphogypsum be managed in specialized process to prevent it from coming in contact with people and the environment. Because of the danger it poses, phosphogypsum, it is not stored in landfills. 

While the bill has been signed by DeSantis, the Florida Department of Transportation will need to conduct a study to "evaluate the suitability" of its use. This study will need to be completed by April 1, 2024.

UCTPTN 09.10.2023