Hoser John
Gold Member
A New Attack on the 1872 Mining Laws
by Hoser John » Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:58 am H.R. 5060, "Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014" ,
To modify the requirements applicable to locatable minerals on public domain
lands, consistent with the principles of self-initiation of mining claims,
and for other purposes.
This bill was introduced 07/10/2014 to repeal and replace the 1892 Mining Law. It has been sent to committee. The bill, if passed into law, will change mining as we now know it. This would be a good time to call, write or email your representatives to voice your opinions. Here is a link to contact your representative:
http://www.usa.gov/C...-Congress.shtml
I recommend obtaining the contact info from the site and writing your own letter or email to your reps; Phone calls are good too. Just keep it polite and make your point(s) clear and concise.
The is the letter that the organizations SUPPORTING this bill (and probably wrote it) are sending to OUR representatives:
Earthworks
wLeague of Conservation VoterswNatural Resources Defense CouncilwSierra
Club
wWestern Organization of Resource CouncilswThe Wilderness Society
June 18th, 2014
Dear Member of Congress,
On behalf of our millions of members from across the country, the undersigned organizations
endorse the “Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014,” a bill that would correct the
environmental and taxpayer inequities promoted by the outdated 1872 Mining Law.
Although it is now 142 years old, the 1872 Mining Law still governs mining for precious minerals
such as gold and copper on public lands. Signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant and
designed to facilitate the settlement of the western United States, the 1872 Mining Law allows
mining companies, many of which are foreign corporations, to stake claims on public land and take
whatever minerals they find without royalties to the U.S. citizens that own these resources.
The legacy of the 1872 Mining Law is pervasive, threatening the well being of our western
communities, and the scarce drinking water upon which they depend. For example, according to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, hardrock mining has polluted 40 percent of the stream
reaches of the West’s headwaters. Hardrock mining releases arsenic, mercury and lead into our
communities’ air and waters. In fact, the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory has consistently shown
that the hardrock industry releases more toxic chemicals into our air, land and water than any other
industry in the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of hazardous abandoned mines around the country
persist – which will cost U.S. taxpayers tens of billions of dollars to clean up.
Not only does the 1872 Mining Law imperil drinking water supplies in the drought-ridden west, its
cost to taxpayers is enormous. Since 1872, hardrock mining companies have taken more than $300
billion worth of minerals from public land, without paying a dime in royalties to taxpayers. It is the
only extractive industry in the nation to receive such preferential treatment. The 1872 Mining Law
also allows mining companies to buy, or “patent” public lands for $2.50 to $5.00 an acre, though
there is a temporary moratorium on this practice. This price in no way reflects the fair market value
of either the land surface or underlying mineral wealth. Furthermore, patenting enables mining
companies to remove land from the public trust, which undermines the principle of multiple use that
should apply to federal lands.
The 1872 Mining Law places the interests of mining corporations above those of average U.S.
citizens. Over the years, mining has threatened Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National
Park and many other special places, but because of the 1872 Mining Law, land managers have been
unable to deny these mine proposals. Even when a mine threatens sacred sites, important
watersheds or sensitive habitat, the 1872 Mining Law trumps all of those other important values.
We wish to make it clear that we are not opposed to all mines on public lands. Instead, we object to
an outdated law that lacks any measures to protect water or other natural resources, ignores cleanup
requirements, fails to provide a fair return to taxpayers and treats mining as the “highest and best
use” of public lands.
The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014 would resolve the drinking water pollution, fish
and wildlife habitat degradation, and taxpayer inequities mentioned above. Specifically, the bill
would:
•
Protect water resources and habitats by establishing strong environmental and cleanup
standards specific to mining;
•
Provide a fair return to taxpayers, by providing for a reasonable 8% royalty on the value of
the precious minerals mining companies take from public lands for new mines, 4% for
current operations;
•
Defend local communities and special places from irresponsible mining, by giving land
managers the ability to balance mining with other uses of the public’s lands;
•
Abolish the giveaway of public lands to private mining interests; and
•
Create an Abandoned Mine Land Fund to address the long-standing hazards of abandoned
mines to drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and the well being of local communities,
requiring the industry to pay a reclamation fee while giving “Good Samaritans” limited
liability relief when they participate in clean up efforts.
The strong public participation, agency oversight and enforcement provisions of the Hardrock
Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014 will translate into real improvements on the ground. This bill
will ensure that any mining on public lands takes place in a manner that protects crucial drinking
water supplies and other natural resources, special places, taxpayers, fish and wildlife habitat, and
the health and well being of our communities. The Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2014
will also create jobs thousands of jobs for communities across the United States by funding muchneeded
abanoned mine restoration projects.
We strongly urge you join as a co-sponsor of this important legislation. It is well past time that
Congress replaces this archaic law with one that protects western communities and resources, while
also maintaining a healthy, responsible mining industry.
Sincerely,
Lauren Pagel
Policy Director
Earthworks
Alex Taurel
Deputy Legislative Director
League of Conservation Voters
Sharon Buccino
Director, Land and Wildlife Program
Natural Resources Defense Council
Athan Manuel
Director, Lands Protection Program
Sierra Club
Richard Parks
Hard Rock Campaign Team Chair
Western Organization of Resource Councils
Chase Huntley
Renewable Energy Director
The Wilderness Society
The support for this bill is huge among enviromental organizations and their members. The small miners community is in danger of extinction if this bill passes IMO. Take the time to contact your representatives. Do not think someone else with take care of this issue. Talk to the people within your sphere of influence and ask their support and participation to defeat this bill.
Hoser John
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