Colorado Forest Project News

Additional Contact:
Brian Farnsworth (303) 881-8645

Today, the House voted 244 to 166 to stop a toxic threat lurking at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, roadless areas, and other treasured lands, by passing the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007 (H.R. 2262). 

This is a victory for anyone who enjoys this country’s national parks, wild national forests, and our rivers.   The bill would stop hardrock mining companies looking to scare-up more profits without regard to the lands that are sacrificed in the process.  This bill also recognizes that the needs of our treasured lands can be balanced with the needs of the mining industry.  

In reforming the 1872 Mining Law, the bill approved today would permanently protect roadless areas in our last wild national forests and other treasured lands across the country from new hardrock mining claims.  Today’s vote is also a victory for local control by empowering county governments to protect special lands within their counties from future mining projects.

The bill also empowers local forest supervisors and other land managers to weigh mining efforts such as the proposed molybdenum mine at Mount Emmons in the Gunnison National Forest with its effects on other uses such as hunting and fishing and drinking water.

Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, and other national parks will also be protected by H.R. 2262, because it makes it clear that mining proposals that will impair the resources of a national park will not be approved. 

Environment Colorado campaigned to ensure that these strong protections remained in the final bill.  We now look forward to working with U.S. Senators Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar to pass substantial reform to the 1872 Mining Law that maintains the protections outlined in H.R. 2262.

Environment Colorado focuses on protecting air and water quality, promoting a sustainable energy policy, implementing transit oriented solutions to Colorado's transportation problems and curbing sprawl by promoting responsible land use planning. Environment Colorado utilizes the time-tested tools of research, public education, advocacy and organizing. For more information, visit: www.EnvironmentColorado.org.

INFORM is a nonprofit organization with the mission of educating the public about the dangers that exist when unsafe and irresponsible mining practices are permitted.  Through the dissemination of information and education, INFORM helps organize residents in local communities most threatened by these practices to protect water quality, quality of life and the local economy. For more information, visit: www.INFORMColorado.org.