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"Dwindling access to quality hunting and angling opportunities is a trend that slowly is pulling apart the American sporting tradition," Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
Those of us who hunt, fish and appreciate the outdoors have reason to be concerned about the continuing loss of hunting and fishing opportunity on public lands. And, there is important legislation being voted on in Congress now which impacts us greatly.
Mining Today Under Standards Written in 1872
135 years ago metal mining was considered "the highest and best use of public lands" and the 1872 Hard Rock Mining Law reflects that priority exclusively. Times have changed since 1872 and no one feels the impact more than those of us living in Arizona which leads all of the western states experiencing the fastest growth in the nation! Mining law should be written to reflect priorities today.
Mining for gold, uranium and other metals on U.S. public lands has risen nearly 50% in the last five years and a mining claim rush is now underway in the West. Many new claims have been staked near the Grand Canyon and other Arizona treasures, near highly populated urban areas and tribal lands. Our national forests, critical watersheds, wildlife corridors and local communities are seriously threatened by the massive increase in claim filings.
Under the terms of the 1872 mining law today's metal mining companies Ð unlike coal, oil and gas companies Ð are able to remove valuable resources from public land essentially for free. As a result, the U.S. Treasury loses an estimated $100 million a year. Under the 1872 law, also, metal mining companies do not have to meet the same environmental and cleanup standards as other companies. That means you and I are left holding the tab for an estimated $50 billion in mining cleanup costs while our water, land and wildlife suffer the consequences.
1872 Mining Reform legislation has been introduced in Congress, H.R. 2262, to bring mining law up to date. It brings mining companies under environmental and cleanup standards like the Clean Water Act and toxic substances laws. It addresses problems of abandoned mines which include contamination of drinking water, degradation of fish and wildlife habitat, and threats to public health in nearby communities. And, the bill makes sure that local voices Ð our voices - are heard and valued when decisions which impact local economies, families, natural resources and sacred sites, are made.
Hunters and anglers can make their voices heard by asking Congressman Rick Renzi to sponsor and support H.R. 2262.
Unprecedented Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat from Oil and Gas Development
In a related matter, the federal government is moving "fast and furiously" to meet the increased demand for the development of oil and gas on public land. It's possible to make oil and gas available and still protect the wild places and wildlife in the West, the quality of our air and water, and the property rights of our ranchers and farmers. Yet, in the rush to approve oil and gas development, the government often does not take those concerns into account.
Since 1996, more than 24.4 million acres have been leased for energy development. Many of these locations hold some of the nation's best hunting areas and blue-ribbon fishing streams. Western sportsmen have joined together to draft a Public Lands Energy Agenda and have been in Washington encouraging Legislators to support a balanced approach to energy development which protects all of the resources of our public lands.
A legislative package was recently passed by the U.S. House which includes many of the elements of the Sportsmen's Public Lands Energy Agenda including a Global Warming section to set up national plan for assisting wildlife populations impacted by global warming.
As one hunter who traveled to Washington in support of the bill put it "ÉWe all use gas and oil. We are not against this use on public lands. All we ask is that this short-term use must be tempered with the long-term vision of a landscape that we will leave for future generations, and of course the aquifers that are under itÉ"
Unfortunately Congressman Renzi did not support the comprehensive energy package.
He has the opportunity to help hunters and anglers now by supporting Mining Law Reform. Please join me in asking him to do so.
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