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The White House
The 1872 Mining Law—Set in Stone?
The Grand Canyon
A Grand Place to Mine?
Phoenix Golf Resort
Par for the Course
Joshua Tree National Park
Claims for the Price of a Campsite
Lake Mead
Gaming the System
Death Valley
Watch your Step!
Clear Lake
Clear Waters and Hidden Pollution
Rogue River
From Scenic to Superfund
Oregon Dunes
Mining the Beach—and the Bank
Berners Bay
Ode to Orwell
Lake Roosevelt
Radioactive Remains
Salmon River
Salmon and Cyanide
German Gulch
A River Ruined?
Yellowstone
The Price to Protect Old Faithful
South Pass Historic Landmark
History Hijacked
Crested Butte
Red Lady in Distress
Moab
Arches and Acres of Radioactive Waste
Red Mountain Pass
Checkerboard Landscape
Taos County
Private Reward at Public Risk
Sugartree Mountain
Mining in the Natural State
Lake Dorr
Mickey and Mining
U.S. Capitol |
U.S. Capitol — Washington, D.C.
The Road to Reform
 Our tour concludes in Washington, DC, where Congress is currently considering legislation to bring the 19th century mining law into the 21st century. Despite industry opposition, Chairs of the House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over the mining law have introduced measures that would give the law a much-needed overhaul. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) introduced H.R. 699, almost identical to legislation passed overwhelmingly by the House in 2007. Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has also put forth his own reform bill, S. 796.
While the Senate and House proposals are distinct, both measures contain the key tenets of real reforms, including:
- Royalty payments for minerals taken from public lands;
- A permanent end to the forced sale of public lands;
- Limits on new claimstaking that threatens national parks and pristine forests, valuable fish and wildlife habitat or places of cultural or historical significance.
- The incorporation of environmental standards for mine operation and reclamation into the law itself, assuring that the privilege of mining on public lands triggers rather than overrides environmental responsibilities.
- Acceleration of urgently needed cleanup of abandoned mines on public lands.
It’s time for Congress to take action to bring the nation’s 19th century mining law into the 21st century. With the Grand Canyon and some of America’s most treasured parks and special places at risk, your next family vacation may depend on it.
Side Trips:
Editorial Board, “1872 mining law must be updated for 21st century,” The Arizona Daily Star, May 15, 2009.
House Committee on Natural Resources, “Rahall Legislation Brings Antiquated Hardrock Mining Law into the 21st Century,” press release, January 27, 2009.
Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining, Factsheet: S. 796, The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act Protecting Taxpayers and the Environment. (PDF)
H.R. 699, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009. (PDF)
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, “Bingaman Bill Seeks Mining Reform,” press release, April 2, 2009.
S. 796, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009 (PDF)
Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining, Factsheet: S. 699, The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act Protecting Taxpayers and the Environment. (PDF)
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