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Show a series of proposals by the BLM to regulate ALL uses of the public lands has fallen on the mining industry. Miners agree that the proposed BLM regulations would mean an end to the small independent miners and hamper exploration and development of The first in large companies Public statements by the Bureau of Land Management officials have confirmed our worst fears. This new bureaucratic incursion into our lives must have been authorized by Washington people with very limited knowledge of mining and the American economy. We all love our land, our mountains and our endless horizons but we must be The United of States on the our entire economy depends practical. capacity to manufacture from our abundant natural resources. These proposed regulations were published in the Federal Register on December 6 and 10, 1976. The regulations are entitled: PROPOSED PROCEDURES TO MINIMIZE ADVERSE and RECORDATION OF MINING CLAIMS AND FILING PROOF OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ANNUAL ASSESSMENT WORK OR NOTICE OF INTENTION TO HOLD MINING CLAIMS. The more objectionable aspects of following article. these proposed regulations are discussed in the YOU CANNOT REBUILD MOUNTAINS Reclamation: Reclamation means returning land to its virgin state. Although 40 of all mining land has been reclaimed, this land was located in flat terrain that lent itself to reclamation. The BLM regulations state that all reclamation work must begin as soon as possible on mining activity. Mineral occurrences in the West are usually located in mountainous areas. You cannot rebuild mountains. Large tonnages of ore and rocks are removed from mines monthly and filling in these mine sites could not be accomplished without additional disturbance to the environment. These minerals are used in every household convenience, mechanical and automotive d if the mining machinery and food production. Our total economy is industry suffers from excessive costs and the small explorative independent miner becomes extinct, it will affect us right where it counts, IN OUR POCKETS. inter-relate- 100000 A MERE The BLM Bonding: has stated that any operator who files a plan of operation must also furnish a bond prior to beginning operations. The stated minimum statewide bond is $100,000. National organizations must pay $300,000. This will totally destroy the small miner, he cannot afford to post a $100,000 bond. Bonding companies contacted have refused to issue bonds because the loose language of the BLM proposal invites arbitrary and capricious enforcement by individual BLM personnel. This bonding requirement will also inhibit large companies because the bond would hold operators responsible for reclamation work for ten years. This is obviously a serious and direct threat to the entire future of the mining industry and our guaranteed freedoms. Small mining operators cannot exist within the framework of these BLM regulations that are supposedly cleaning up our environment to make it a better place in which to live. We will destroy our most importat natural resource man, by creating unemployment. Also the U.S. economy will be forced to rely on an unstable and inflationary foreign mineral supply. HIGHLY INFLATIONARY Paperwork: demands superfluous and time consuming paperwork to be initiated. Miners must file a notice of intent, a plan of operation and a detailed topographical map. The BLM has up to 1 35 working days to grant your permission to begin your operation, operation. In addition to the unrealistic amount of time, the whole procedure is highly inflationary. Many new employees would be necessary for industry as well as the BLM. To the marginal prospector the paper work is expensive, complicated and unnecessary. The BLM JUDGE AND JURY The BLM will be both No Appoals: judge and jury. They will have absolute power. Appeal as to fact can be made only to the Department of Interior . . . the same group who formulated the regulations. Should a miner disagree with their enforcement, there is no objective middleman to interact. In effect, if a miner accuses the has been unfair. BLM of unfair practices it is up to the BLM to decide if it MINER ENDANGERED SPECIES in a letter to Secretary of the Interior Thomas Kleppe Congressman Jim Santini said: "I find it ironic to read that (it) is the policy of the Department to encourage development of Federal minerals," and then watch the Department issue a series of regulations that present the very real possibility of virtually eliminating the small miner (D-Ne- v.) and prospector. "If it cannot be recognized that small miners and prospectors experience many compliance difficulties then I suggest that you add the small miner and prospector to your list of 1700 endangered species." Worldwide mining activity has disturbed only 16 hundredths of one per cent of the earth's surface and 40 of that has been reclaimed. In 1971 mining occupied only 3.7 million acres of the world's land mass. By contrast: covered 22.7 million acres Airports covered 3.3 million acres Railroads covered 3.2 million acres Hi-wa- 8 B Pleas detach before mailing. Send check or money order only to: CITIZENS FOR MINING, t. O. Box 251 , Banlo Mountain, Novoda 89820 6 or foiophono (702) 635-51) I widi to hocomo an aMOciatod mom bar at minimum of $5.00 05 I( 635-281- B ( ) I ( ) ( ) with to join CFM ($25.00) g NAME...., I ADDRESS I with additional information froo of charge. I with to contribute to your organization. I 1 I I I I ai STATE k.... address letters to: One of the first BLM rules state that: "No mining operation which might cause significant disturbance to the surface resources shall be conducted or initiated on lands subject to these regulations until a Notice of Intent has been filed with the proper BLM office." A prominent BLM official has publicly stated that "motorized vehicles on unestablished roads are definitely considered a significant disturbance to the land. What this means to the miner is that he has to have an approval from governmental officials before he can get off the main roads to just go prospecting. The BLM has also promised further sets of regulations will be forthcoming to govern other uses of the public lands such as ranching, recreation, off-rovehicles, etc. The ranchers are now waiting for the other shoe to drop and if these proposals aren't stopped now you soon won't be able to go camping, hunting, fishing, or take an afternoon ride in your jeep until you have applied and received a permit from the BLM. Incidentally, they have 15 days to decide whether to issue one or not. If you don't want this to happen make your voice heard. ad ONE LETTER IS WORTH A THOUSAND VOTES taxpayers and consumers, it is up to you. We urge you to write our governor and Congressmen and let them know your objections and recommendation regarding these Director, Bureau of Land Management Office 210 The proposed BLM regulations need only to pass unnoticed by the public to become a reality. CITIZENS FOR MINING is actively involved on all fronts in this fight for our future. D.C. 20240 Advertisement by Citizens for Mining. ts SPORTSMEN BEWARE Secretary, Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Washington, A Paid I I I CITY I 1I ys .k Fellow BLM regulations. Won't you join us? In return for a contribution of $5.00 or more, CFM will make you an associate member, for $25.00 you can become a full member. Donations in any amount will be greatly information appreciated. Any required can be obtained directly by writing to us or calling us. e c B1 |