Chair Grijalva: Interior Dept. Recommendations on Mining Deregulation, “Critical Mineral” Designations Set New Low in Industry Giveaways

Washington, D.C. – Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement on the newly released Department of the Interior recommendations on critical minerals and mining deregulation.

“This administration has set shameful new records for industry giveaways, and this is one of the worst. Unchecked mining is already damaging inhabited areas around the Grand Canyon and other sites around the country, and we can expect much more severe impacts to public lands nationwide if these recommendations go into effect. The Trump administration is handing over our most treasured places to multinational corporations with no interest in our economy or the livability of this country. It’s a pattern that Republicans in Congress seem to have no problem with, and it won’t stop until Trump has left office.”

Grijalva led a press conference earlier today on the need to protect the Grand Canyon from new uranium mining claims. House lawmakers and tribal, business and environmental leaders spoke on their support for his Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act, which institutes a permanent moratorium on new mining claims on approximately 1 million acres north and south of Grand Canyon National Park.

The bill will receive a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time in the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee. The event will be livestreamed at the Committee’s Facebook page.

Press Contact

Adam Sarvana

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