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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. 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.
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva and Rep. Alan Lowenthal of California sent a letter 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 and create grants for research for mineral processing research.
Public lands, choose-your-own-adventure style
To help Americans find lesser-known public lands with smaller crowds this summer, Outside magazine has a new interactive guide. Pick whether you want an adventurous or laid back trip, whether you want solitude or amenities, then pack up and hit the road!
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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.”
