spring2002bulletpagetwo

Amigos Bravos efforts to restore the Red River have clearly demonstrated the devastating impact hard rock mining can have on rivers and downstream communities. We are now increasing our efforts to assist in national and state mining policy reform
campaigns — and we are asking for your participation!

Since a 1991 Western Mining Activist conference in Durango, Colorado, Amigos Bravos has participated in various national mining reform campaigns organized by the Washington, DC-based Mineral Policy Center. In 1993, along with a number of individuals and environmental organizations in New Mexico, Amigos Bravos supported the successful passage of the New Mexico Mining Act. This is one of the most environmentally protective mining laws in the country, and is considered a model for mining reform. In 1999, foreseeing the need for citizen oversight of the Act’s reclamation requirements, Amigos Bravos helped organize the New Mexico Mining Act Network. In December 2001, Amigos Bravos was invited to participate in developing a national campaign responding to the Bush administration’s efforts to roll back mine reform advanced under Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.

On February 19, 2002, the Mineral Policy Center and fifty-two environmental, conservation, hunting, angling, taxpayer, and human rights organizations–including Amigos Bravos–representing millions of citizens, sent Interior Secretary Gayle Norton a letter outlining principles of meaningful reform of the Mining Law of 1872. The principles address the environmental and fiscal inequities caused by mining on public lands during the part 130 years. Our proposals include:

• Environmental safeguards specific to mining that will protect communities and their water, wildlife habitat, sacred places, and scenic and cultural values, and give land managers the right to deny mines that would harm these resources [Note: presently, mining companies cannot be denied the privilege of mining wherever they choose, whether it be next to a river or on a sacred site];
• A royalty for mining valuable minerals from public lands, comparable to what other industries must pay, and an end to the
privatization of public lands for mining companies;
• Corporate accountability provisions and “bad actor” sanctions;
• A fund to clean up polluting and abandoned mines, paid for by a fee on private mining activities; and
• Enforcement provisions and penalties to ensure that mining companies comply with the law.

The letter notes that, according to an EPA estimate, mining has polluted 40 percent of the headwaters of Western rivers and streams, and left half a million abandoned mines littering the country.

In March (date and place to be announced), Amigos Bravos and the Mineral Policy Center will be organizing a meeting of individuals and organizations throughout the state to discuss the development of a “responsible mining campaign” for New Mexico. If you would like to participate in these discussions please contact the Amigos Bravos office.

(The Mineral Policy Center contributed to this article)