29 October 1999

INTERIOR BILL, ANTI-ENVIRONMENTAL MINING RIDERS FATE STILL UNDECIDED

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION STILL CONFERRING WITH REBPULICAN LEADERSHIP

URGE CLINTON-GORE NOT TO ACCEPT ANTI-ENVIRONMENTAL RIDERS

Last week, Congress passed the Interior Appropriations bill. Among many other anti-environmental riders, it contains two mining riders: one that would weaken the 1827 Mining Law to legalize unlimited mine waste dumping on public lands; one would block stronger environmental mining regulations. President Clinton promised to veto the bill, but he can't do so until Congress sends it to him. Which it hasn't.

Ultimately, some form of an Interior funding bill must pass, or the Interior Department will shut down. Even though Congress hasn't sent the President the bill, the Clinton administration and the Republican leadership continue to negotiate over the Interior bill's final form.

While these negotiations continue, they may end today -- they may last considerably longer, Clinton-Gore must know that any bill containing the anti-environmental mining riders is unacceptable.

Thanks to everyone who has made calls. You have played an essential role in maintaining the profile of the mining riders in the halls of Congress and in the White House.

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Please call the White House (1-202-456-1414). Tell Clinton-Gore that their environmental legacy is at stake! Ask them to veto any Interior or Omnibus bill containing the two mining riders that would weaken the 1872 mining law for the first time ever, leaving taxpayers liable for the mining industry's messes.

*Tell the President to insist that the House language on millsite dumping prevail in the Interior Appropriations bill.

*Tell him that the conference report language is no compromise.

*Tell him that hardrock mining regulations need to be improved, not delayed.

*Tell him that anti-environmental riders are an undemocratic, backdoor attempt to circumvent environmental protections that couldn't be passed otherwise, and he shouldn't let industry special interests get away with them.

*Tell the President that his environmental legacy is on the line. If he signs this bill, he will be the first President ever to increase the givewaways and environmental destruction under the 1872 Mining Law.

*Urge the President to veto the Interior Appropriations bill if the current mining riders are other anti-environmental riders are not removed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Call Mineral Policy Center at 202.887.1872, or visit our web page at

http://www.mineralpolicy.org/law&reform_links.html.

Mineral Policy Center (MPC) is the leading environmental organization working to protect communities and the environment from the impacts of hardrock mining.

===Mineral Policy Center Working to Protect Communities and the Environment===

1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 Washington, D.C. 20006

202-887-1872 (ph) / 202-887-1875 (fax)

web: www.mineralpolicy.org / email: mpc@mineralpolicy.org

"Pure water is more precious than gold!"

back to news release list

Our Mission	Our Vision	The Place	The Threat
OHBC on the Road	How to Order	How to Help Us	Links

E Mail OHBC POB 433, Tonasket, WA 98855 509-485-3912