ACTION ALERT
Help Preserve Climbing throughout the Desert and Mountains of the West
Reforming the 1872 Mining Law will finally give recreation values a voice in how our federal public lands are managed
Imagine being camped out at your favorite desert climbing destination. Now picture yourself looking over the darkened mesas at the blinking lights of drilling rigs instead of the universe above. This may soon be a reality as there are over 32,000 new uranium claims within a stone’s throw of legendary climbing venues such as Indian Creek, Paradox Valley and Canyonlands National Park.
Fueled by record-high metal prices, an additional 57,000 new claims have been staked throughout the mountains of the West. As climbers, we all need metal. Responsible hardrock mining remains an important activity. The problem is that 19th century values and policies still govern 21st century high tech mining practices. The laws adopted in 1872 to govern prospecting with a pick and shovel, and to help settle the West before the invention of the light bulb, are the same laws in use today. These outdated laws have no regard for modern day outdoor values or the economic and environmental future of the West.
Late last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reform our nation’s policy on hardrock mining. Right now the U.S. Senate is considering reform as well.
Please take action and let your Senators know what you think.
Follow this link: http://capwiz.com/outdooralliance/issues/alert/?alertid=10949226&PROCESS=Take+Action to conveniently generate a unique letter that you can email directly to both of your Senators.
Looking for more information or motivation to write? The Access Fund, as a founding member of the Outdoor Alliance, recently premiered an excellent six and half-minute video that reminds us what is at stake and inspires us to take action.