A handful of state legislators in the West are pushing for local control of public land, which may lead to lucrative mining and drilling operations, but financial and constitutional issues could hinder the effort.
public land
Posted inEnvironment, Lords of Yesterday, Oil and Mining
Obama wants to end the mining industry’s free ride on public land
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed a host of new fees for mining on public land as part of President Barack Obama’s 2016 budget.
Posted inEnvironment, Lords of Yesterday, Oil and Mining
FRONTLINE/CIR exposed how public lands are still ruled by 1872 mining law
In 1994, The Center for Investigative Reporting teamed up with FRONTLINE to produce the documentary, “Public Lands, Private Profits.” Eleven years later, it’s clear that not much about the 19th century mining law has changed.
Don't miss a story. Get our investigations and reporters’ insights delivered to your inbox.
Posted inEnvironment, Food Security, Lords of Yesterday
Weak oversight of public grazing land, thanks to ‘lord of yesterday’
The belief in the absolute right of ranchers to graze essentially unregulated on public lands remains strong. Here are 10 things to know about the government’s hands-off approach to the practice.