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Mining Can Hurt Fish
Every American should have the opportunity to see the workings of the Congress, as I did a week ago.
It begins in committees and subcommittees, and I was there to testify before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources, in favor of an effort by Congressmen Jim Costa, D-Calif., and Nick Rahall, D-W. Va., to reform the antiquated Mining Act of 1872. This 135-year-old law, originally aimed at populating the West, allows mining companies to stake claims on public land for as little as $2.50 to $5 per acre, and then mine for hardrock minerals with no further payment to the government or taxpayers.
That moves it close to legalized thievery. My task was to unveil a new organization, "Sportsmen United for Responsible Mining," a campaign backed by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited.
Most subcommittee members favored reform, but not Rep. Steve Pearce of New Mexico nor Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas. Pierce, co-chairman of the Congressional sportsman's caucus, badgered witnesses with a barrage of questions, often asking another before the witness could answer the first. Gohmert said he resented my implication that I was representing millions of anglers and hunters, noting that he was a hunter and wasn't asked. However, I did have the backing of 22 hunting and angling organizations whose membership runs into several millions. I also had the last laugh.
I assured the committee that I was representing millions, but wanted the record to reflect I did not include the gentleman from Texas, which produced a chorus of chuckles from subcommittee members.
Much hardrock mining takes place on federal lands in the West, which harbor about 50 percent of America's blue ribbon trout streams and much of the best habitat for big game, especially elk.
That irresponsible mining is destructive to fish and wildlife has been demonstrated on numerous occasions across the West. I saw it happen with Whitewood Creek in the northern Black Hills.
When I first saw it back in the early 1970s, it was a stream that resembled dirty gray dishwater, ugly and devoid of any living organisms. It wasn't until Homestake was taken to court by Bill Janklow that restoration began.
Today, Whitewood Creek has been rehabilitated, and a year ago, I caught and released a pair of 20-inch-plus brown trout, which now thrive in this once thought-to-be-dead stream.
The Rehall-Costas reform act begs passage, and most believe this measure will make it on the floor of the House, but could run into trouble when it reaches the Senate, largely because Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, D-Nev., comes from a mining family and has always favored hardrock mining, in spite of the environmental destruction it sometimes causes.
While this hearing was going on, the full House was struggling with a Farm Bill, which it finally passed, though we've seen little that makes us believe there will be significant conservation improvements.
Herseth-Sandlin saves Sodsaver
Meanwhile, South Dakota hunters owe Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, D-S.D., thanks for her efforts to prevent Sodsaver from being weakened by an amendment placed on it by Rep. Goodlatte, R-Va., the ranking Republican on the committee. His amendment would have given landowners with marginal lands, an exemption from its provisions if it was OK'd by a county agent.
"Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin went to work on it like a surgeon with a sharp scalpel," said Pheasant's Forever's lobbyist, Dave Nomsen, adding, "She showed leadership and skills far beyond what we expect from relative newcomers to the Congress."
Thune joins conservation ranks
I also had a lengthy visit with Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who with help from his close agricultural advisor, Lynn Tjeerdsma, owner of two farms in southeastern South Dakota, has demonstrated a new understanding of the importance of conservation.
I jokingly said to him, "John, you keep this up, and I'll have to consider endorsing your reelection efforts in the future."
He smiled and said, "That'll shock'em all, won't it?"
I also invited Thune on a salmon fishing trip on Oahe, especially in view of him recently catching a 45-pound Chinook in Alaska, though he admitted he got just as much kick out of pitching spoons to largemouths in Murdo Dam. I couldn't promise him salmon as big as those in Alaska, but I assured him they will taste better.
We also talked pheasants, with the bright outlook for this fall making him homesick for South Dakota. I'm trying to arrange a hunt, inviting Thune and some of his friends. As far apart as he and I were at one time, I'll echo what Tim Johnson said to me back in March. John Thune is a pretty good guy, and he's now doing things right for conservation, thus I also consider him a good friend. That will surprise some folks, too, who remember the acrimony that once existed between us.
Mining Can Hurt Fish
