All Articles
Legislative and Regulatory Update
November 2008 by Scott Harn
Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) introduced HR 5583 in March 2008, which attempts to place over one million acres around Grand Canyon National Park off-limits to mining.
Grijalva apparently got impatient with the lack of progress on his bill. Back in June, while Republican members of the House Natural Resources Committee walked out in protest, the Democratic Party members of the committee voted 20-2 to adopt an emergency resolution to withdraw this same area from mining.
Utilizing a little-used section of the 1976 Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) that allows withdrawals under emergency circumstances, the Democrats claimed that the park was under threat due to the increased interest in uranium around the park. Bureau of Land Management records indicate there are more than 1,100 mining claims within five miles of the park.
Section 204 of FLPMA was used twice in the early 1980s; however, a Justice Department opinion written in 1983 deemed the practice unconstitutional.
On October 10, the Bureau of Land Management addressed the situation by publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register to outlaw these emergency withdrawals.
The notice stated, in part, “Contrary to its implication, the procedures for issuing an emergency withdrawal order do not result in the protection of public lands more rapidly than the completion of a more conventional withdrawal process. Conventional withdrawals of public lands, as necessary and appropriate, will continue.”
The notice continued, “These regulations are redundant, since public lands can be protected without substantial delay via conventional withdrawal procedures, without resource to the regulations providing for emergency withdrawals. Moreover, constitutional issues may arise whenever a Congressional committee directs the Secretary of Interior to withdraw lands immediately.”
The comment period was short—only fifteen days were allowed to submit comments.
While we here at the Mining Journal do not make it a habit to endorse particular candidates or parties, it is obvious that Democrats are more in favor of placing additional lands off-limits to mining.
• PLP has their hands full representing miners
Public Lands for the People (PLP) is back in court assisting miners as the Karuk Tribe of Northern California tries again to shut down suction gold dredging.
The Karuk Tribe has failed in every attempt so far, including the recent attempt by their ally, Representative Lois Wolk, who placed a rider in the budget bill that would have placed a moratorium on suction dredging until the California Department of Fish & Game (DFG) completes a new Environmental Impact Report. DFG had continually claimed they could not start the study due to a lack of funding. Rep. Wolk included $1 million for the EIR in the budget bill rider, along with her requested moratorium on dredging. Governor Schwarzenegger allowed the funding of the new EIR to pass in the budget bill in late 2008, but vetoed the moratorium on dredging.
Now the Karuk’s are back in court, claiming the DFG failed to abide by an earlier court order that stated a new EIR was to be completed by mid-2008. The funding is now in place, but DFG didn’t even begin the EIR process by the deadline.
The Karuk’s are again seeking a moratorium on suction gold dredging due to DFGs failure to complete the court mandated study by the deadline. On October 6, PLP and their attorney attended the first of what may be many court hearings on this case.
There are rumors that a second lawsuit based on the California Environmental Quality Act may also be filed by the Karuk’s. We’ll keep you posted.
PLP is also preparing litigation to address the closure of access routes in our National Forests. The Forest Service has been requiring each National Forest to prepare a Travel Management Plan, which restricts access for mining and cuts off historic routes granted by Revised Statute 2477. (For more information on Revised Statute 2477, visit www.rs2477roads.com)
The first lawsuit will be filed against the Eldorado National Forest. Eldorado National Forest was one of the first to implement a Travel Management Plan and restrict access for miners and other public land users.
In addition, PLP, in cooperation with the Waldo Mining District, has initiated a study on dredging and mercury. See "Suction Dredge Study" later in this issue for an open letter regarding the study.
PLP will continue to fight for your rights as their funding allows, but they need your financial support.
Tax deductible contributions can be sent to:
Public Lands for the People
Attn: BH Wetherby
3700 Santa Carlotta Dr
La Crescenta, CA 91214
© ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, CMJ Inc.
Additional articles that might interest you...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
October 2016
• Vote
• EPA declares Superfund site in Colorado
• An environmental tale
Targeted for a Tax Audit
February 2012
Although the risk of a federal tax audit remains low, thanks to the Internal Revenue Service’s secret audit selection process every prospector, miner, and mining-related business owner has good reason to fear an audit, but only if they are not prepared.
Although the risk of a federal tax audit remains low, thanks to the Internal Revenue Service’s secret audit selection process every prospector, miner, and mining-related business owner has good reason to fear an audit, but only if they are not prepared.
How to Properly Ground Balance to Find the Most Gold
August 2010
Many new detector operators and even some experienced ones don’t pay enough attention to keeping their detectors in proper balance. The result is false targets as well as incessant chirping and chatter.
Many new detector operators and even some experienced ones don’t pay enough attention to keeping their detectors in proper balance. The result is false targets as well as incessant chirping and chatter.
Downieville: Another Gold Rush Favorite
October 2021
I didn’t know what to expect because the area we were working was not close to the water, but we were pleasantly surprised when we began to pan out some nice flakes and a few pickers.
I-147 Before Montana Supreme Court
September 2004
A group supporting a ballot measure to overturn a ban on using cyanide in certain mines has told the Montana Supreme Court it should throw out a lawsuit against Initiative 147. Facts surrounding the claims of I-147 opponents must be sorted out before the high court can consider the legal challenge, said proponents who call themselves Miners, Merchants and Montanans for Jobs and Economic Opportunity.
A group supporting a ballot measure to overturn a ban on using cyanide in certain mines has told the Montana Supreme Court it should throw out a lawsuit against Initiative 147. Facts surrounding the claims of I-147 opponents must be sorted out before the high court can consider the legal challenge, said proponents who call themselves Miners, Merchants and Montanans for Jobs and Economic Opportunity.
Our Readers Say
May 1999
"Thanks to your help, the word got out..."
"Thanks to your help, the word got out..."
Why So Much Gold in Nevada?
July 2021
Nevada produces about 75% of all the gold mined in the US. This means that all the other 49 states combined only produce 25%, and this includes California, Alaska and Arizona.
Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill
• Where To Find Diamonds
• Miners Find Encouraging Prospects Near Livengood
• The Business Of Mining: Profits, Losses, Hobbies and Businesses
• Glen's Big Find
• Suction Dredge Study
• Lluvia de Oro— A Shower of Gold Awaiting Development in the Sierra Madre—Part I
• Beyond The End of The Road
• Barnes Store and Yankee Jims
• Mining Tax Increase Suggested
• Opening Ceremony for Buckhorn Mine
• Mining Journal Contest—How Much Is That Old Mining Journal Worth?
• Melman on Gold & Silver
• Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices
Free:
