** Finally mining reform after 150 years?
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Wednesday, May 5, 2021
The Chemetall Foote lithium operation in Silver Peak, Nevada ([link removed]) , Wikimedia Commons ([link removed])

After nearly 150 years, Congress may finally be on the verge of reforming one of America's bedrock laws that governs public lands—the General Mining Act of 1872 ([link removed]) . E&E News reports that because of the increased need for critical minerals like lithium, copper, and cobalt to power a renewable energy economy, lawmakers from both parties agree it's time to revisit the obsolete system put in place under President Ulysses S. Grant ([link removed]) .

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva and Rep. Alan Lowenthal of California sent a letter ([link removed]) to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week asking for their help modernizing hardrock mining policy. Grijalva and Lowenthal said they're working on a bill to replace the 1872 law with "a modern system designed to protect the interests of American taxpayers and our nation's public lands." In the meantime, they urged the Biden administration to take administrative actions to clean up existing mines and close loopholes in current regulations, especially clarifying that land managers have "the authority to reject proposals that will likely cause substantial irreparable harm to important natural and cultural resources, or which require water treatment in perpetuity."

Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, are pushing a bill that would limit reviews of critical mineral projects to two years ([link removed]) and create grants for research for mineral processing research.


** Public lands, choose-your-own-adventure style
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To help Americans find lesser-known public lands with smaller crowds this summer, Outside magazine has a new interactive guide ([link removed]) . Pick whether you want an adventurous or laid back trip, whether you want solitude or amenities, then pack up and hit the road!
Quick hits


** Sen. Alex Padilla introduces bill to protect 1 million acres of public land
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The Hill ([link removed]) | San Francisco Chronicle ([link removed]) | Mercury News ([link removed]) | ABC 7 ([link removed]) | CBS Bay Area ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed])


** Forest Service to require reservations for two of Colorado's most popular outdoor destinations
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Denver Post ([link removed])


** Congress eyes mining reform legislation
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E&E News ([link removed])


** Fixing the Grand Canyon's aging water pipeline won't be easy—but it's necessary
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National Geographic ([link removed])


** Declining water levels affecting access to Lake Mead
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Las Vegas Review Journal ([link removed])


** Group asks Interior Dept. to cut funding to Idaho over wolf-killing bill
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Letter: Haaland offers hope for protection of Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands
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Malheur Enterprise ([link removed])


** Endangered condor hatches in Pinnacles National Park—and there's video
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | Pinnacles National Park ([link removed]) (Facebook)
Quote of the day
California public lands are exactly that: They belong to the public. Too many children, especially those of color, live in nature-deprived communities. In fact, Los Angeles County has one of the lowest rates of park access.”
—Sen. Alex Padilla, San Jose Mercury News ([link removed])
Picture this


** @nationalparkservice ([link removed])
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Pew! Pew! Pew! ⁣
⁣
Cutest baby skunk I am. Baby skunks are adorable, that's for sure. But while they may look similar to fluffy, little, black and white kittens it doesn't mean that they'll behave like or are simply striped cats. While the young skunks are relatively small, they can pack the same powerful pungent punch as an adult and are able to pew pew pew up to 15 feet!

#maythe4thbewithyou ([link removed]) #fartsquirrel ([link removed]) #chiricahuanationalmonument ([link removed]) #nationalparkservice ([link removed]) #starwars ([link removed]) #skunktastic ([link removed])

Photo: NPS/J.Argo

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