Environmental Group Stakes Mining Claim Next Door To High-End Subdivision

[hatrack]

SPOKANE — An environmental group has staked claim to 20 acres of public land next to a posh subdivision to show just how antiquated the nation's mining laws are.

As allowed under the Mining Law of 1872, The Lands Council drove a stake Thursday near the Canfield Mountain subdivision in Hayden Lake, Idaho. Nearly a fourth of all the land in the United States — more than 270 million acres — is open to mining, according to Westerners for Responsible Mining, a coalition of environmental groups that includes The Lands Council.

"Hardrock mining trumps all other uses and values associated with America's public lands," said Mike Petersen of The Lands Council.

The Lands Council now has 90 days to pay a $165 fee to file the claim, which would allow it to mine for gold, silver, copper or other minerals, he said."

EDIT

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002058854_mininglaw10m.html

[dubyaD40web]

1. What a great idea!

I'm kind of bummed that I didn't think of it first. Now I'm going to have to go out and try to find me some prime real estate and stake me a claim. I kind of think it would be even more fun, and more effective, to show up with a bobcat and some dynamite, to really demonstrate the reality of the situation and highlight just how ridiculous it is that this law hasn't been significantly changed in 130 years.

[phantom power]

2. and cyanide. Don't forget a couple thousand gallons of sodium cyanide

You can leach the ground, and dump the waste in a holding pond, next to the HOA's community swimming pool

[ismnotwasm]

3. I read about this in the paper

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.