Today, the House moved to stop a toxic and evil threat lurking at the
edge of the Grand Canyon and other treasured lands, by passing the
Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 (H.R. 2262).
It
is clear that hardrock mining companies are looking to scare up more
profits, without regard to the lands that are sacrificed in the
process. With more than 800 new claims staked at the edge of the Grand
Canyon since 2003, this national treasure could soon be haunted by a
witch’s brew of cyanide and sulfuric acid.
In reforming the
1872 Mining Law, the bill approved today will bar future mining in our
last wild national forests and other treasured lands across the
country. The Grand Canyon and other national parks will also be
protected by H.R. 2262, because it makes it clear that mining proposals
that will impair the resources of the park will not be approved.
Environment
America is campaigning to ensure that these strong protections remain
in the final bill. We now look forward to working with the United
States Senate to pass substantial reform to the 1872 Mining Law that
maintains the protections outlined by H.R. 2262.
