Political Quotes

“I have strongly advocated strengthening so-called 3809 regulations, which governs hardrock mining on public lands. However, attempts to update these regulations have been subject to much debate. I am pleased to see that the Interior conference report included a compromise provision related to the regulations, which should allow the BLM to move forward with their efforts to better protect taxpayers and the environment from the impacts of the hardrock mining industry. However, I am concerned about recent statements made by my colleagues, Senators Reid and Gorton, which I feel distort the intent of the provision and would weaken the 3809 regulations. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my understanding of the meaning of this provision. To paraphrase the language of the bill text included in the conference report, the mining provision permits the BLM to prevent undue degradation of public lands with a new and stronger rule governing hardrock mining on public lands.”