Environmental regulation of hardrock mining on public lands: bringing the 1872 law up to date

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Harvard Environ. Law Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6941097

Noble, H

Public lands are often given to private industry for hardrock mining without full consideration of consequent environmental impacts. The 1872 Mining Law is the principal obstacle to environmental regulation of mining on public lands. Under the law, a miner receives vested rights to any public land where he discovers a valuable ore deposit. The mining industry supports the provisions of the outdated statute, and current regulations are not stringent enough to prevent ecological degradation. To protect the environment, land agencies must be able to prevent the construction of a proposed mine. Agencies should deny issuing permits and associated licensing documents on public lands. (numerous references)

• Research Organization: Harvard Law School
• OSTI ID: 6941097
• Journal Information: Harvard Environ. Law Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Harvard Environ. Law Rev.; (United States) Vol. 4:1; ISSN HELRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
510600 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LICENSING
MINING
PUBLIC LANDS
REGULATIONS