Legislation & Regulation
Legislative and Regulatory Update
April 2017 by Scott Harn
• Bills introduced to stop federal management of greater sage grouse• WOTUS under review
• Congressional Review Act
Lawsuit Update From the New 49'ers
Many of you are aware that we have been engaged in litigation with anti-mining activists that have been attacking us through the Karuk Tribe of California since 2003. It all started with their lawsuit against the US Forest Service (USFS), challenging that District Rangers do not have the authority to allow small-scale mining activities under a Notice of Intent (NOI) when the Ranger concludes that the mining activity is not likely to create a substantial surface disturbance.
More Fiddling While Forests Burn
Logging on federal land plummeted—over 84% since the 1980s. And that management tool was replaced with—nothing.
Retired Geologist Warned Public of Pending EPA Disaster
Retired geologist Dave Taylor of Farmington, New Mexico, predicted the disaster in a letter published by the Silverton Standard a week before it occurred.
MMAC Update
We spent our evening at some informal get-togethers at two private residences in the DC area, which provided the opportunity to talk with staff members from Congress, other agencies, and a few consultants working on public land issues. We found common ground with many of them, and found a strong ally in a former Congressman turned consultant who agreed that Mining Districts provide the smartest legal route...
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Forest Service to revisit 228 regulations
• WOTUS Executive Order suspended
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• Congress heading into summer recess
• Maintenance fees due!
Dredge Mining—Current Situation in Idaho
Tomten concedes the scenario of federal environmental agents swooping in on river dredges near historic mining towns like Idaho City, Rocky Bar or Placerville remains unlikely.
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