Professional Equipment for Serious Detectorists!

Magazine

Legislation & Regulation

Legislative and Regulatory Update

WOTUS
The EPA has adopted a new definition of Water of the United States (WOTUS) that will add additional roadblocks to small and large-scale mining operations, farming, home developers and others. The action was opposed by most counties and members of Congress.
 
In fact, the House of Representatives passed HR 1732, a bill to prevent the EPA from expanding their powers under the Clean Water Act, in mid-May, but the Obama Administration went ahead with the rule change anyway.
 
While bills to repeal the latest EPA expansion are likely to be passed in both the Senate and House, it does not appear there are enough votes to override a veto from President Obama.
 
The EPA tried to expand their regulatory authority to non-navigable waters before, but a US Supreme Court win by the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) in Rapanos v. United States in 2006 thwarted that effort.
 
In Rapanos, the US Supreme Court ruled that isolated waters and tributaries could not be regulated under the Clean Water Act.
 
“But these are the very waters that the new rule purports to regulate!” said attorney M. Reed Hopper of PLF.
PLF has vowed to return to court to stop the EPA from expanding their regulating authority.
 
Sheriff withdraws Forest Service law enforcement authority
In our  March 2015 issue, we reported on the harassment of several small-scale miners by Forest Service law enforcement officers in Mariposa County (Tasers and Mining Don’t Mix).
 
To briefly recap, several miners were sluicing for gold when they were approached by Forest Service officers who demanded identification. When one of the miners questioned their probable cause to make such a demand, one of the officers allegedly pointed a Taser at the miner.
 
The miners were members of the American Mining Rights Association (AMRA) and mining on valid AMRA claims.
AMRA president Shannon Poe talked with numerous miners who also complained of problems with a few Forest Service officers.
 
Poe compiled the complaints and attempted to resolve the issue but was unable to get a face-to-face meeting with the Forest Service supervisor. Subsequent correspondence with Forest Service patrol commander Rita Wears also failed to yield results.
 
Poe then took the case to Mariposa County Sheriff Doug Binnewies, which included a total of 12 documented cases of harassment to miners and other public land users.
 
On May 8, Sheriff Binnewies withdrew the law enforcement authority of the Forest Service in Mariposa County, and Poe expects Sheriff Mele of Tuolumne County to follow suit.
 
Congratulations are in order for Poe and AMRA, and a big “thank you” goes to Sheriff Binnewies. You can send a short note of thanks to Sheriff Binnewies via email at: dbinnewies@mariposacounty.org
© ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, CMJ Inc.
Next Article »« Previous Article

Add a Comment

Additional articles that might interest you...

Can't We Just Do Something?


We know we lack critical minerals. We know the causes. We know the need. We have the knowledge we need right now. Why can’t we just take action and fix the problem?

Taking on the EPA, Sasquatch, Ratchilla and Gold Dredging


...we packed up our two dredges and headed for our claim about an hour away on the South Fork of the Clearwater to dredge openly in opposition to the EPA.

Nevada Mining Tax Cap Repeal Clears Committee


An Assembly panel approved a measure to repeal the constitutional tax cap on net proceeds paid by mining companies in Nevada.

Selenium, Mercury and Suction Dredging—Studies Contradict CA State Water Resources Board


Federal and state regulatory agencies often cite mercury and methyl mercury in our waterways as a major factor for further restrictions on placer mining, and on suction gold dredge mining, in particular. However, these regulatory agencies are minimizing selenium and its neutralizing effects.

Legislative And Regulatory Update


• Republican bill would reopen Grand Canyon withdrawal
• Obama recommends additional fees and taxes on miners

SB 838 and the Future of Mining in Oregon


The verbage is SB 838 is vague and ambiguous to say the least. As a result, there is quite a bit of misinformation floating around the rumor mills.

Mining Districts: A Short Review of Legal Authorities


Mining Districts are the private regulatory authority granted by Congress recognized to regulate the mineral lands held by the United States and for the disposal to citizens of the United States, by means of development and potentially perfected by patent.

Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill   • Ask The Experts   • Ask The Experts   • Trail to Treasure   • The Smell of Gold -- Part II   • Hard Rock University: Expensive Hobby or Real Business?   • The Reason We Fight   • My Great Nevada Adventure   • Prospecting for Pegmatites   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices

Free:
MMAC & PLP Update

Advertisements

Precious Metals Recovery plants and equipment
Fighting to keep public lands open to the public
Specializing in the processing of precious metal ores!
Watch prospecting shows on your computer right now
Free Online Sample Issue