LCV submits LTE to NYT

Today, LCV released a Letter to the Editor at the New York Times, referencing an editorial from Feb. 7. Click here to view the original Times opinion piece.

“Uranium Exploration Near Grand Canyon” (editorial, Feb. 7) underscores the urgency of passing comprehensive legislation in the Senate that adopts the House provisions of the Hardrock Mining Reclamation Act (HR 2262).

We support this long-overdue bill; it updates the General Mining Law of 1872 passed during - and unchanged since - the Ulysses S. Grant Administration.

Under the current law, highly toxic industry practices, including the widespread use of cyanide and arsenic, remain legal. Uranium ore mining is proven to cause cancer and affect both miners and neighboring communities. Furthermore, the hardrock mining industry comprises one-third of one percent of American industry but is responsible for 46% of industrial pollution. Estimated cleanup costs for abandoned mines range from $32 to $72 billion. But no taxation penalties for use of public lands were imposed on miners by President Grant in the original law.

This 135 year old legislation renders the government and communities virtually powerless to deny mining claims on the basis of health and drinking water concerns. We applaud the House for already taking action to reform the General Mining Law and urge Senate members to follow the lead of their colleagues early this year.

Gene Karpinski
President, League of Conservation Voters