Outdoor Alliance and Others Promote Legislation to Reform 1872 Mining Act

February 7, 2008

CONTACT:
Tania Maria Rosario, 206.447.9091, M+R Strategic Services
Joe LaTourrette, 360.754.2594, Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining
Mike Petersen, 509.990.5719, The Lands Council
Washington Leaders Urge Senate Action on 1872 Mining Law, Praise Senator Cantwell for Commitment to Real Reform
U.S. Senate considering legislation to modernize Civil War-era statute

Olympia, WA — As the U.S. Senate considers legislation to modernize the nation's 135-year old law that governs mining on western public lands, a broad coalition of state and local officials, conservationists, tribal leaders, and sportsmen called on U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to develop a genuine reform package that builds on the success of H.R. 2262, the bipartisan measure that passed the House of Representatives in November. Today, Senator Cantwell announced her commitment to meaningful reform of the mining law. The press conference follows similar stakeholder events conducted in the West over the last several weeks.

Last month the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Senator Cantwell is a member, hosted its third hearing on the mining law. The Committee is expected to produce a bill this spring.

Senator Cantwell's office joined the group to share the Senator's commitment to mining reform that protects the economy, the environment, and public safety. "If we don't have meaningful reform, many of America's most treasured places, including roadless areas, will continue to be claimed for mining" said Senator Cantwell. "The time has come to end the preferential treatment that hardrock mining receives under the 1872 Mining Law and to craft mining reform legislation that responsibly balances mineral development and the protection of our national treasures and western waters."

"This year, Washington and the West will take center stage in the effort to reform the 1872 Mining Law," said Joe LaTourrette, based in Olympia with Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining. "We are pleased to have Senator Maria Cantwell playing a lead role in the effort to protect the health of Washington communities, lands, water, and wildlife. We urge Senators Cantwell and Murray to work with their colleagues to craft a modern framework for mining that protects taxpayers and the environment. We all have a stake in their success. Our public lands are the source of some of our best fishing, hunting opportunities and wildlife habitat. We pay user fees to hunt and fish. It's time the industry also paid its own way, and took on the cost of mine cleanup. Sportsmen have a stake in mining reform."

According to Bureau of Land Management data analyzed by the Environmental Working Group, the total number of hardrock mining claims in Washington was 14 percent higher in mid-2007 than in 2003. In 12 western states combined, an 81 percent increase in claims was seen over that time period, with many new claims being staked near natural treasures such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.

"The state of Washington has a stake in federal mining law reform," said Bill LaBorde, Program Director for Environment Washington. "Washington has seen the downsides of poorly managed mining operations — from the heavy metal contamination in the Columbia River and abandoned mines around Lake Roosevelt to the contamination at the old Midnite Mine. Today, more and more claims are being staked on our public lands, so we urgently need a modern mining law to prevent a repeat of past mistakes."

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 hardrock 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.

"Our state believes that protecting natural resources and a healthy business climate go hand in hand," said Wallace, Southwest Director of the Department of Ecology. Wallace noted that "Congress has an opportunity to update the 1872 Mining Act in a way that provides a more equitable balance for the use of public lands without diminishing the rights of mining companies to operate in our state." Wallace also read a statement from Governor Christine Gregoire calling for reform of the mining law.

"Local governments also have a stake in mining reform," said Mary Jane Melink, member of the Longview City Council. "Thanks to the mining law, cherished natural resources in our community, including our drinking water supply, could be lost or degraded by mining. And thanks to the mining law, our community's interests have little weight in decisions about the use of public lands. We need a modern mining law that allows us to protect our own communities."

A comprehensive bipartisan package that would modernize the Civil War era statute was passed by the House of Representatives in November. That measure included modern environmental standards for mine operation and cleanup, a prohibition on new mining claims in National Forest roadless areas and other special places, and new authorities for local, state, and tribal governments to protect important public lands from mining. The House bill also placed a royalty on mine production to fund an abandoned mine cleanup program. Seven of nine Washington House members voted for the measure.

"Recreationists and outdoor enthusiasts have a stake in mining reform," said Thomas O'Keefe, speaking on behalf of the Outdoor Alliance. "We're dealing with an antiquated law where all other public land users are given second billing. Recreation opportunities in our state are important to Washingtonians quality of life. Public lands should be managed for the public, not as a giveaway to special interests. We ask Senators Cantwell and Murray to take this opportunity to play a leading role in reform at the federal level."

Today's event included participation from Dick Wallace-Washington Department of Ecology, Charlene Abrahamson-representing The Spokane Tribal Council, Mary Jane Melink-City of Longview, Joe LaTourrette-Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining, Bill LaBorde-Environment Washington, Thomas O' Keefe-Outdoor Alliance, Ted Whitesell-Washington Wilderness Coalition, Terry Turner-Washington Council of Trout Unlimited, and Nate Caminos- office of Senator Maria Cantwell.

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