Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The US House of Representatives today passed legislation to finally reform the Mining Law of 1872. The legislation provides the first update to the mining laws since the time of pick and shovel miners.
The legislation comes as 40% of the headwaters of western U.S. watersheds have been polluted by mining and the backlog of cleanup costs for our country’s hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines sits at $20-$54 billion. Dozens of perpetually water-polluting mines are permitted and more are proposed.
In response, Dalal Aboulhosn, Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director issued the following statement.
“We’re pleased to see the House take this important and long overdue step to protect our communities from irresponsible mining. Current mining laws are dangerously out of scale with modern mining, burdening communities with growing drinking water contamination and toxic cleanups. Hardrock mining companies need to be held to the standards of this century. We urge the Senate to move quickly on companion legislation put forward by Sen. Udall.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.