Four articles today on the 1872 General Mining Law.
“The law, signed by President Grant, allows patents for hardrock minerals on public lands to be mined for $2.50 or $5 an acre.” It’s time to end mining industry welfare. By Joel Connelly. Seattle Post-Intelligencer Columnist.
“Uranium mines don’t belong next door to one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Yet a British mining company plans to drill exploratory holes on federal land within three miles of the Grand Canyon.” We know the Drill. Arizona Republic.
Coalition calls for new mining laws. By John Cramer of the Missoulian.
Company wants to reopen Elk City gold mining claim. Idaho Statesman. Elk City is deep in north central Idaho’s backcountry. Mining from the early years still poisons the streams.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
The energy “Holocaust” in the west is like killing mosquitos on the north slope of Alaska, kill a hundred & they are replaced by 10 thousand. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans believe that we can consume, breed & kill our way into an “earthly paradise”. To speak frankly of large-scale human destruction of the “natural world” that is a product of the pathology of unrestrained growth is an anathema to the majority of Americans who are contempuous towards ecological issues. And this fact is verified daily by listening to the “crap” that dominates the mainstream news media.