FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Eleventh Hour Withdrawals Cut Public Out of Public Lands Processes
Yesterday, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced a two-year administrative segregation and proposed withdrawal of approximately 30,000 acres near Gardiner, MT. The Obama administration, in its final days, is misusing executive authority to further impede economic development on multiple-use public lands while circumventing Congress and a robust, transparent public process.
“This midnight action is one of a series of decisions by Secretary Jewel that puts the United States domestic supply of critical and strategic minerals, and the economic vitality of the rural west at risk,” said Laura Skaer, AEMA Executive Director. “Simply put, this administration did not have to take this action in this authoritarian way.”
The current permitting process is built on science, public input, transparency, and due process rights. Today’s segregation and proposed withdrawal violates due process and ignores the regulatory tools the agencies have to minimize environmental impacts from mineral exploration and mining.
“Many MMA members have patented and unpatented claims in these very historic mining districts and stand to lose years of work and investment,” said Tamara Johnson, Executive Director of Montana Mining Association. “Without any fact-based evidence, one individual, Sec. Jewell, chose to ignore private property and mineral rights and take this action. We could not be more disappointed”
Both associations will be working with the incoming administration to overturn these last minute and short sighted withdrawals.
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| Contact AEMA: Devon Coquillard352-425-0172
www.MiningAmerica.org |
Contact MMA: Tamara Johnson406-491-1714
www.MontanaMining.org |
Downloadable PDF: Eleventh Hour Withdrawals Cut Public Out of Public Lands Processes