Legislative and Regulatory Update
- PLF files petition with US Supreme Court on behalf of Oregon miners
- Land and Water Conservation Fund abuse by Forest Service
- Army asks for REE proposals
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- New Deputy Secretary of Interior
- Case against dredger allowed to proceed
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.
More Fiddling While Forests Burn
Logging on federal land plummeted—over 84% since the 1980s. And that management tool was replaced with—nothing.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- Oregon miners to petition for US Supreme Court review
- Two executive orders to reign in federal agencies
- Petition for Joshua tree as a threatened species
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- WOTUS rule finalized
- Reminder on new claim fees
PLP Update
All 28 groups listed agree that Section 402 of the Clean Water Act does not apply and no dredge miner should be asking a state or federal agency for such a permit.
MSHA Moves Ahead on Silica RFI But Leaves All Options Open
For now, MSHA is just collecting information. However, the information it collects will shape what comes next.
Traders At JPMorgan Chase Indicted For Rigging Metal Prices
…the men sought to “inject false and misleading information about the genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts into the markets, and to deceive other participants”…
Legislative and Regulatory Update
• ESA changes for the better
Disturbing Trend: Federal Judges Disregard Mining Laws
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.
PLP Update: How to Restore The Rights of Suction Dredge Miners
A two-pronged approach is necessary to restore suction dredging; federal preemption needs to be established as addressed above via petition; and clarification from the EPA is needed to establish that no Section 402 permit is necessary when there is no “addition” of a pollutant.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- Key appointment at BLM
- Current administration not waiting for Congress
- BLM relocating
- Kansas exempts bullion from sales tax
Selecting A Low-Risk Region To Explore, Mine or Invest
“The evidence is clear—mineral deposits alone are not enough to attract precious commodity investment dollars...”
Reminder: Annual Claim Filings Due
Please note that new mining claims filed on or after September 1, 2019, will be subject to the new fee schedule.
Vindication for Montana Veteran Joe Robertson
Under the previous administration, the EPA declared the ditch was a federally-protected waterway, and Robertson needed a federal permit under the Clean Water Act.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- Administration issues proposals to fix mining access and permitting
- Online “webinar” and request for comments for proposed Forest Service NEPA revisions
Mining Organizations Unite To Petition For Rule Change
The petition seeks specific changes to existing Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management regulations to restore the intent of Congress and federal preemption.
Legislative and Regulatory Update
- House appropriations bills introduced
- Two Minnesota hardrock mining leases reinstated
- Equal Access to Justice Act
A 'Rare' Opportunity for America
All of which brings us back to the question of why we rely so heavily on China in the first place. America’s economy is heavily dependent upon energy and telecommunications, but does that require Chinese manufacturing? Clearly not.