FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

---

OPPOSITION TO MINING IN THE SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST 

The Bush Administration has cancelled a two-year old ban on filing new mining claims in roughly 1.2 million acres in and around southern Oregon's Siskiyou National Forest. The ban was imposed by the Clinton Administration in response to entreaties from conservationists who wanted the area to be declared a national monument. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt imposed the moratorium to allow time for further study of this idea and for public comment.

But the Bush Administration lifted the ban, which was set to expire in January 2003. In its place, the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service imposed a prohibition on filing new mining claims on only 117,000 acres of land—producing a 90 percent reduction in the amount of land withdrawn from mining claims. This shift in policy threatens extremely rare plant species and key wildlife habitat.

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs deplores this egregious action by the Bush Administration and calls for the reimposition of the ban. The Federation also reiterates its call for reforming the mining law of 1872. This law should be reformed so that administering agencies can determine whether other public values exceed mineral values and whether mining should be allowed. If mining is allowed, then these agencies should require a plan of reclamation, require that a bond be posted, and obtain a fair return for the use of public resources. Also patenting of public lands should be ended.

Contact: Write to the Secretary of the Interior.