“Today, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to support corporate interests over public interests. HR 4402 masquerades as a bill about critical and strategic minerals, but it instead threatens our waters and disenfranchises our communities.
Our bedrock environmental laws exist to protect our water, air and public heath and allow communities to have a say in projects that may impact them. By disenfranchising rural communities and polluting western waters, HR 4402 takes us in the wrong direction. In addition to research on recycling and alternative, sustainable sources for metals, 1872 Mining Law reform is needed to protect some of our most precious resources. The hardrock mining industry should be clamoring to lead the world in better mining practices, not catering to the lowest common denominator.”