PLP and Mining Districts
PLP Update
December 2021 by Scott Harn
Public Lands for the People (PLP) continues to refine its reclamation dredging program, which was started in California earlier this year.
The group is working on getting the US Forest Service in California to bless the PLP guide on suction dredge reclamation so they have indisputable federal preemption going forward in 2022, according to PLP researcher Clark Pearson.
PLP is also concluding its funding and review of a scientific study which names the suction dredge as the preeminent tool for reclaiming American waterways to counter atmospheric mercury impacts coming from China.
Additionally, PLP has developed a working group to overcome Oregon’s draconian dredging rules at the DEQ and, as long as more Oregon members join and support PLP, the non-profit group is willing to shift some of its resources to help Oregon miners overcome these obstacles. Several groups in Oregon have already signed on to offer their support.
Some have asked how the trips to Washington, DC, to support small miners have been going. These trips have been shut down due to COVID-19 and due to the current makeup of the House and Senate. We hope to restart these trips soon, pending the results of the 2022 mid-term elections.
PLP Update
In the meantime, I want to highlight some recent court cases won with the assistance of Public Lands for the People…
MMAC & PLP Update
On July 4, we are reminded of the sacrifices our Founding Fathers made to establish this great country of ours, and in that spirit, the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC) has created a draft Declaration of Miners.And MMAC has been hard at work writing a bill, with the unwavering support of several members of Congress, to reaffirm the rights of miners operating in traditional mining districts.
PLP Update: Another Suction Dredge Case Heading to the US Supreme Court
In the meantime, we will continue our multi-pronged approach to seek regulatory relief at the federal level while supporting those court cases that are built on a strong legal foundation.
PLP Update
While progress with Congress has been slow, the Trump administration has taken the lead to start making needed changes at the Department of Interior and US Department of Agriculture to support miners…
MMAC Update
... officials with BLM have been impressed by MMAC’s professional approach and consistency.
Miners Making the Rules and Regulations?
How would you like it if you could make the actual rules and regulations governing your own business? A dream, right? Well, the existing Federal Mining Law gives a claimholder this ability in the context of organized Mining Districts.
PLP Update
Things became a bit challenging when the hot, dry weather was interrupted by 30mph winds with occasional gusts nearing 50 mph.
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