I love reading New West. I absolutely loved this article Mining Law Reform is a No-Brainer by Bill Schneider. I felt the need to comment, as you see, I have sort of a minor expertise in mining and the VERY NEGATIVE impacts that mining has on the environment. It was kind of what I did for a living. . . no matter.
Man, did I piss off Dave Sk1nner. Tee hee hee. I was the Helenan (3rd comment down).
Well, I was super curious about this Mr. Skinner after he got so ANGRY about my seemingly mild comment. I googled him. He is the VP of the group M0ntanans for Multiple Use. Their mission statement is seemingly positive - ". . . enhance access to public lands for everyone. Our purpose is to educate the public on the need for balanced environmental law and public land use issues." Okay. They are a Pro ATV, pro snowmobiling, pro fire management, anti endangered species act, non profit organization. In other words, Mr. Skinner and myself don't share the same values - not even close.
What he is getting wrong and seriously wrong is that he is comparing permitted mines to those small mines that are exempt from permitting under the 1872 mining law. His example of Crown Butte near Cooke City was a permit that was denied. The devastation of the small miner abandoned mines can be seen here. Nice and toxic, yes. What he doesn't get is that when new mines go in for permits, they don't voluntarily clean up the messes that their forefathers created, they purposely exempt themselves from those types of environmental liabilities.
His other point about how without the 1872 mining law Stillwater wouldn't be there. Again, there is a nasty abandoned mine (thanks 1872) sitting on a hill above Stillwater, but Stillwater itself is a fully permitted mine, that is operating a beautifully clean operation.
But, heck what they knew in 1872 - still good. Yeah. What he doesn't want is for small miners to have to post bond to clean up their messes when their little fakey companies fold like a cheap card table when the gold dries up. He also doesn't want public comment on proposed small mines. Damn it. Poor little guys having to PAY for their potential environmental devastation. F-ing environmentalists!
Oh and P.S. I refuse to acknowledge the shipping jobs and mineral extraction overseas argument. If there is gold, silver, copper, etc. to be mined, someone will find a way to do it, no matter where it is.
Why don't I respond on the comments page? Really, will it do any good? No. I just thought that my reading faithful would appreciate a good mining and environmental rant today.
Happy Friday. Go pan yourself some gold and give mother earth the finger.
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