SPECIAL ALERT
LETTERS TO SEN. FEINSTEIN NEEDED
Until recently, the largest active mining operation in
a national park has been in Mojave National Preserve (see
Pacific Park News #21 & #28). The Cima Cinder mining
operation was removing up to ten thousand tons of cinders
from a cinder cone annually. Cima Cinder is part of a
National Natural Landmark within the preserve, designated
as such in 1978 because of its special and unique volcanic
features. This operation has been operating illegally for
several years, which finally prompted several environmental
organizations to warn the National Park Service (NPS) that
they would sue if the agency did not make the mining
operation comply with federal laws.
In August the Mojave National Preserve shut down
operations at the Cima Cinder Mine and told the mine
operators that they could not resume operations until they
were in compliance with all applicable laws.
BACKGROUND
For over two years, NPCA has urged the preserve to
bring Cima under the full regulatory authority of the
Mining in the Parks Act, the California Desert Protection
Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
fact that the mine operators had neither an approved plan
of operations, nor a completed validity exam made the
entire operation illegal.
Though Mining is permitted in some national park units
under the 1872 Mining Law, NPS is required by several laws
to regulate mining to minimize degradation of national park
units.
NPS gave the mine operator temporary approval in 1995
to continue operations to provide some time to comply with
NPS regulations. But the "temporary approval" expired in
1996, and the mine has continued to impair park resources.
It was clearly time to close the mine and the Park Service
should be applauded for its action.
Unfortunately, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is
considering legislation to allow the mine to reopen its
operations. NPCA and other environmental groups are not
opposed to the mine's operation. We only want to see it
operate under the proper regulations so that park resources
are not impaired. Until such time, the mine should remain
closed.
TAKE ACTION!
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT SEN.
DIANNE FEINSTEIN'S OFFICE BY MAIL OR BY PHONE. Ask her to
support NPS' decision to shut down the Cima Cinder Mine
until it complies with federal laws that were created to
protect our public lands for future generations.
Write Senator Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
or call her office in Washington: (202)224-3841
or Los Angeles: (310) 914-7300
or San Diego (619)231-9712
or San Francisco (415)536-6868
or Fresno (559)485-7430
THANKS!
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