State holds
public hearing to reform mining laws
CONTACT: Gina
Goodhill, Environment California,
(916) 446 – 8062 x 104 or (213) 447 – 8583
Sacramento, CA – In the face of a dramatic increases in new mining claims in
California, state officials and environmental groups called on Senator
Feinstein and Senator Boxer to reform the 135-year-old law that governs the
mining of gold, uranium and other hardrock minerals on federal lands in
California and other western states.
A comprehensive bipartisan package that would modernize the Civil War era
statute was passed by the House of Representatives in November. Similar legislation is now being written for
the Senate, where it must eventually go through the Energy and Natural
Resources Committee. Those at the press
conference urged for a Senate bill that is equally as strong as the bill from
the House of Representatives.
“This year, California
and the West will take center stage in the effort to reform the 1872 Mining
Law,” said Gina Goodhill of Environment California. “Senator Feinstein and
Senator Boxer can play a lead role in protecting the health of California’s
communities, lands, water and wildlife by producing a modern framework for
mining that protects taxpayers and the environment. We all have a stake in
their success. ”
The press
conference was immediately followed by a State Mining and Geology Board public
hearing pertaining to mining reform on federal lands in California.
In California,
federally managed lands comprise 45% of the State’s total land area. Public comments focused on the need for
federal mining reform.
According
to the Environmental Protection Agency, mining is the leading source of toxic
pollution in the United
States.
Mining sites feature giant open pits and dangerous chemicals such as
cyanide and sulfuric acid, which can contaminate water supplies with acid and
heavy metals.
The need for reform has also been made more urgent by the dramatic increase in
new mining claims in western states, including California. According to Bureau of
Land Management data analyzed by the Environmental Working Group, the total
number of hardrock mining claims in California
is almost 20 percent higher in 2008 than in 2003. Claims totaled 6,122 in
January 2008.
“The
pressure of global markets has already pushed uranium mining along the rim of
the Grand Canyon. If the worldwide demand for precious metals
continues we could very well see toxic mining operations not far from schools,
parks and playgrounds in residential communities,” said EWG Vice President Bill
Walker. “The only way to make sure California communities
are protected is for Congress to make sound, comprehensive reforms to the nation’s
antiquated federal mining law.”
Yesterday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing
about the current mining law. The Senate
is expected to produce a bill by April. The hearing follows passage late last
year of H.R. 2262, which provided fundamental reform measures.
The 1872
mining law, signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, offers special status to
those filing claims on public lands – without safeguarding watersheds, wildlife
or communities from the messy business of mining. It also allows mining
companies to take minerals from public lands without compensating taxpayers,
while oil, gas and coal industries have been paying royalties for decades.
Today’s event included participation from Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, Environment
California, The Sierra Fund, the Environmental Working Group, the Planning and
Conservation League, and The California Indian Environmental Alliance.
