Yesterday the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee started marking up legislation that would make big reforms in hard rock mining on federal lands. The bill is by West Virginia Democrat Nick Rahall, a longtime critic of mining laws that stretch back to President Ulysses Grant’s administration in the 1870s. He wants to charge royalties for the first time, end the practice of selling mining claims at $2.50 to $5.00 an acre, and impose tough environmental and reclamation standards on mining operations.
Joel Southern, APRN – Washington, DC
