President Ulysses S. Grant, Colorado local officials to call on U.S. Senate to bid farewell to the 1872 Mining Law
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Denver
|
Contact:
Pete Kolbenschlag
Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining
970-261-0678 |
Contact:
Elyssa Rosen
Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining
775-224-7497 |
Grant's westward tour includes Portland, Missoula, Denver and Albuquerque
President Ulysses S. Grant will be in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, March 27th as part of a campaign to modernize the Civil War-era law that governs gold, uranium and other hardrock mining in the West. In his whistle stop tour, dubbed "Farewell to 1872," President Grant, who signed the mining law of 1872, will sign and deliver a proclamation with Colorado public officials, sportsmen, taxpayer advocates, and outdoor enthusiasts—all who support reform. Public officials will also present a letter, asking for reform, signed by over 25 Colorado elected officials, including legislators, mayors and county commissioners.
The former President made a similar appearance at the U.S. Capitol last fall to mark House passage of a bill to modernize the nation's 135-year old mining law, which still gives mining priority over other uses on many western public lands. The U.S. Senate is expected to produce its own reform proposal next month. President Grant's proclamation and the Colorado elected officials' letter calls for the Senate to take swift action to modernize the nation's mining law and protect national parks, forests and western communities.
The tour, sponsored by the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining, also will include radio ad buys in local media markets, featuring picks and pack mules used to mine during the Grant presidency when the law was enacted.
U.S. Senators in Colorado will have a significant role in shaping a Senate mining reform package. A report released earlier this month by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group shows a boom of new mining claims encroaching on communities here and in other western states.
Where: Colorado State Capitol, West Steps
200 East Colfax
When: Thursday, March 27th 11AM
Who: President Grant and his wife, Julia, in 19th century costume, with
o Jeanne Nicholson, Gilpin County commissioner
o Dusty Horwitt, Environmental Working Group
o Jill Lancelot, Taxpayers for Common Sense
o Lew Carpenter, National Wildlife Federation
o Brady Robinson, Access Fund
o Pete Kolbenschlag, Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining
This event provides excellent photo opportunities.
For more information, visit http://www.pewminingreform.org.
