The Bingaman bill takes a step forward by applying a standard to all federal lands that land managers must prevent 'unnecessary or undue degradation' resulting from mining.

I believe that it is time for us to change the way in which the public lands are patented.

S. 796 adds regulatory uncertainty that will undermine U.S. competitiveness and threatens thousands of high-paying mining jobs.

That creates a distrust in what the Federal Government is doing with respect to the stewardship and ownership of the public lands that we have.

Both S. 796 and S. 140 introduced by Senator Feinstein will create economic opportunities for rural communities throughout the United States.

We urge the Committee to significantly reform the 1872 Mining Law to stop the Rosemont and other ill conceived and inappropriate mine proposals.

NMA cannot support S. 796, the 'Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009' or S. 140 the 'Abandoned Mine Reclamation Act of 2009' as currently written for two reasons.

America's families, communities and businesses cannot sustain higher energy costs, additional job losses and further weakening of our economy during these difficult times.

Provisions in the bills will increase our Nation's dependence on foreign minerals-an outcome that will weaken our defense.

At the request of New Mexico Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall (June 24, 2009), the National Park Service performed a reconnaissance study.

Thank you very much, Senator Wyden, and thanks for having this hearing.

Senator Bingaman, Chair of this full Committee, introduced legislation to reform the 137 year old Mining Law of 1872.