Letter: Mining law needs change

Friday, May 17, 2002 | 9:41 a.m.

Last week was the 130th anniversary of the 1872 Mining Law, but there was no cause for celebration.

According to the Mineral Policy Center, this law resulted in 500,000 abandoned mine sites (some are big and toxic enough to qualify as federal Superfund sites), 10,000 miles of dead streams and 50 billion tons of contaminated waste. The cleanup costs are estimated at a minimum of $35 billion.

We got a glimpse of this law when Oil-Dri Corp. decided to mine kitty litter in Hungry Valley, north of Reno. The Bureau of Land Management was unable to deny the right to mine even though this project would cause harm to surrounding communities. The Washoe County Commissioners denied Oil-Dri a special-use permit, but they are now being sued for damages. Oil-Dri believes it has a right to mine under this archaic law, regardless of the health, safety and welfare of nearby communities. This attitude needs to change.

The mining industry should not be allowed unlimited access to our resources, and taxpayers should not be responsible to clean up its mess. It is a big mistake for communities to believe they have to choose between jobs and a healthy environment. This is a false choice. Communities are entitled to both and should demand it.

It's time this law was reformed.

MARY ADELZADEH Reno