Hardrock mining on federal lands
Examines the adequacy of the regulatory framework for mining of hardrock minerals - such as gold, silver, copper, and uranium - on over 350 million acres of federal lands in the western United States. This book makes recommendations for improvement, including: the development of an enhanced information management system.
Print Book, English, 1999
National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1999
xi, 247 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
9780309065962, 0309065968
42877957
INTRODUCTION: Policy context
Approach to the study
Federal lands and hardrock mining
Hardrock mining
Potential environmental impacts of hardrock mining
Changing contexts
Organization of the report
EXISTING REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Statutory policies for management
Environmental regulation
Relationships among state and federal environmental regulations
Time requirements for environmental review and permitting
ADEQUACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Elements of a regulatory program
Regulatory issues
Regulatory implementation issues
Scientific issues
The need for early stakeholder consultation
Reclamation, closure and post-closure management
Regulatory efficiency issues
Public involvement issues
Summary
THE NATURE OF MINING: Description of ore deposits
The mining process
The uranium industry
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF HARDROCK MINING: Introduction
Cumulative effects
Long-term monitoring
Water quality
Water quantity
Aquatic biota
Landscape or ecosystem alterations
Terrestrial vegetation
Riparian vegetation
Wetlands: hydrological and surface changes
Soil
Terrestrial wildlife
Air quality
Noise
EXISTING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
RESEARCH NEEDS: Water quality
Hydrology
Ecology
Cumulative impacts
Alternative mining and pollution prevention methods
Mining technologies for the future
Summary
FINANCIAL ASSURANCE: Activities and events covered
Amount of financial asurance
Types of financial assurance
Conditions for release
"This study was supported by the Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, under assistance award No. 1434-HQ-97-AG-01886"--Title page verso