We have learned over the years, of course, that “previous development,” “roadless,” and “local support,” are in the mind of the beholder.

• Critical minerals a priority
• Montana miners win again
• MSHA backs down
• Environmental groups as foreign agents

Recently, a left-leaning Arizona federal judge, James Soto, who is an Obama appointee, shut down a proposed copper mining project for the flimsiest of reasons. He basically disregarded and rewrote federal mining law.

To reach this goal, our federal government would need to designate another 45.7 million acres as protected lands every year.