For the first time in more than 10 years a legitimate mining reform bill has been introduced into the Senate, thanks to Energy and Natural Resource Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman. (Chairman Rahall introduced a House version earlier this year.) Now we need your help to move the bill through the Senate.

S 796, the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009, begins the dialogue needed in the Senate to finally reform the 1872 Mining Law in order to:

- Create green jobs by cleaning up the hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mines,

- Give a fair return to the taxpayer, and

- Protect communities and precious western water resources. 

A lot of work is needed to make sure real and meaningful 1872 Mining Law reform becomes law this Congress, and Senator Bingaman's bill is a good first step in that process.

To build enough momentum so that it passes, Senator Bingaman's bill needs support from as many different Senators as possible. Please email your Senator now and ask him or her to join Senator Bingaman as a sponsor of this legislation.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/676/t/572/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1023&track=EWalert


Source:  Earthworks