Posted on 03/19/2023 6:35:46 AM PDT by Libloather
The Biden administration moved closer to implementing a 20-year ban on mining in a South Dakota forest area due to its proximity to cultural and natural resources.
In a joint announcement Friday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service said they would consider a 20-year withdrawal of 20,574 acres located in the Black Hills National Forest near the Pactola Reservoir and Rapid Creek Watershed. The proposed action prohibits new mining claims and the issuance of new federal mineral leases for two years while the agencies review the proposal.
"Whether it’s northern Minnesota, southern Arizona, Alaska, or now South Dakota, these sorts of land restrictions from the anti-mining Biden Administration hamstring domestic development of minerals we need for national defense, energy technology, and everyday life," Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., the chairman of the House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Subcommittee, told Fox News Digital.
"We need to be using our resources we have here with our workforce, not taking them offline," he continued.
According to the announcement, the action could protect the drinking water supply for nearby Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Ellsworth Air Force Base, from the adverse impacts of mineral exploration and development.
The two agencies will officially publish the proposal on March 21, opening a 90-day public comment period during which stakeholders will be able to weigh in on the action. Under federal law, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is authorized to withdraw public lands from mining leasing for up to 20 years.
"The BLM is pleased to work with the USDA Forest Service on this effort," BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said in a statement. "This proposal will help protect a primary source of drinking water for South Dakotans as the Forest Service assesses a 20-year withdrawal."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The Chicoms have created BRICS+ to never, ever have to worry about the effects of lunacy such as this. Of course, the Great Woke West continues skipping down the road to Armageddon.
Whoever wins the presidency in 2024, with the exception of Jo Jo the Pedophile and his ho, is going to have one hell of a mess to clean up. No one! The Japanese, the Germans, the Muzzies, the Koreans ever made this big of a mess of America. Bidet and his offspring should be in prison.
Keeping Congo child miners jobs safe!
Keep Congo child miners jobs safe!
Destroying the earth to “Save the Planet “
And make China the Ruler of the World
Born and raised in Rapid City, spent my youth on Pactola water skiing and fishing.
The Black Hills have millions of resource rich acres where many resources can be mined - hell, just go back to the land owned by the Homestake mine and re-run the tailings piles.
There is zero reason to mine above Pactola, or in the Rapid Creek watershed.
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