78% of Arizonans Support Updating 1872 Mining Act

A recent survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies shows that 78% of Arizonans support updating the 1872 Mining Act.

A press release from the Arizona Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited says that provisions being considered in Congress include protection for environmentally sensitive areas and fair royalty fees to reimburse taxpayers for minerals extracted from their land.

The people surveyed support several changes to the 1872 law, including requirements for mining companies to pay royalty fees similar to thiose paid by oil, coal and gas companies. They also support the idea of allowing mining companies to lease the land they are mining instead of selling federal land to mining companies. And those surveyed support holding mining companies responsible for any damage they cause to the land and water by strengtheneing air and water pollution standards.

Local leaders are also concerned that current federal poicy allows the mining industry to operate next to Arizona icons like the Grand Canyon.