Washington, D.C. -- New legislation to be introduced today will finally require private mining companies to pay their fair share to take valuable minerals like gold, copper and silver from public lands. Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV) announced plans to introduce the new mining legislation, called the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007.
In anticipation of the legislation being introduced in the House of Representatives later today, Earthjustice legislative associate Sara Tucker offers the following statement:
"We thank Representative Rahall for his leadership on this important mining issue. It's about time the mining industry takes responsibility for the damage it has caused to the environment at the expense of the American taxpayer. Congress now has the opportunity to update a vestige of the past with new mining legislation that points us towards a protective future for public lands out West.
"Some of our nation's most spectacular places have been destroyed by destructive mining practices. The bill will update an existing law that has been in place since 1872. The old law has never been updated to account for a much more profitable and modern industry. For over 100 years, private mining companies have gotten away with a land grab that has robbed American taxpayers of fair royalties for these precious minerals.
"Thanks to Mr. Rahall's commitment to protecting our environment, these lands will be here for future generations to enjoy. We support Congress in its attempt to close this loophole and protect our lands, guarantee our fair share, and save these special places for future generations.
"Representative Rahall has been a great leader on this issue and we praise his tireless efforts to protect America's special places and natural resources."
Rahall's attempt to update the 1872 law might run into opposition from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) of Nevada.
Rahall, [Reid] said, has been "difficult to work with on hard-rock mining issues" in the past, "but a lot of things have transpired."
"Nick and I had a long conversation. He'll be easy to work with," Reid predicted.
Rahall said he and Reid share the same goals, including a fair return to taxpayers, cleanup standards and regulatory and permitting certainty for the industry.
"I personally have reached out to the majority leader and vice versa, and we will continue our discussions on this issue," Rahall said.
This could turn into a battle of two Congressional titans.
Rahall also has been active as chairman of the natural resources committee providing oversight to the gutting of the Endangered Species Act by PResident Bush's croneys.
From Environmental News Service:
Bush administration officials at the Interior Department have repeatedly manipulated science in order to weaken protections for endangered species, former agency officials and environmentalists told the House Resources Committee Wednesday.
The hearing prompted a key Democrat to call for the resignation of the department's deputy secretary, who endured several hours of heated questioning from the committee.
"Under your leadership we have got negligence, incompetence and political hackery," Representative Jay Inslee, a Washington Democrat, told Interior Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett. "It would be helpful to have your resignation because you refuse to recognize how sick this situation is,"
snip
MacDonald's "reign of terror" may have ended, said Committee Chairman Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat, but "she left behind a lot of baggage."
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