New Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act gives U.S. miners some breathing room from ESA and “Waters of the U.S.” designations.
RENO (MINEWEB) – After President Obama signed a $1.1 trillion omnibus bill into law, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell Wednesday attacked the rider that prohibits the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from writing and issuing rules related to the sage grouse, which could stymie new mining development and expansion of current mining operations in 11 Western states.
The rider for the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 imposes a one-year ban on new Endangered Species Act protection for the sage grouse. The rider was introduced by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, and former president of the Nevada Mining Association, which includes a number of major U.S. gold mines within its membership.
Jewell declared, “It is disappointing that some members of Congress are more interested in political posturing than finding solutions to conserve the sagebrush landscape and the western way of life. Rather than helping the communities they profess to benefit, these members will only create uncertainty, encourage conflict and undermine the unprecedented progress that is happening through the West.”
“The consequence of this rider is that it prevents the Service from finalizing a rule that would provide certainty to landowners, giving them assurance that they can continue economic activities compatible with the conservation of the species, such as properly managed livestock and ranging activities,” said Jewell’s statement.
“It has no effect on ongoing efforts to develop and implement federal and state plans that conserve sagebrush habitat or to complete the requisite analysis for potential rulemaking.”
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