Fish and wildlife on America's public lands are struggling to cope with the effects of under-regulated hard-rock mining. The General Mining Law of 1872, which governs hard-rock mining (gold, copper, silver, etc.) on America's public lands, was signed into law more than a century ago. Since then, the law has enabled the destruction of fish and wildlife habitat on millions of acres. America's sportsmen are working together to reform it.
Spearheaded by the TRCP, the National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited, Sportsmen United for Sensible Mining is a coalition of organizations and individual grassroots partners formed to safeguard America’s legacy of hunting and fishing through sensible mining practices. SUSM represents millions of hunters and anglers, fish and wildlife professionals, and citizens who recreate on and enjoy our public lands. We believe that a sensible approach to hard-rock mining in the West will allow for better management of America's fish and wildlife resources.
Sportsmen are setting their sights on the 112th Congress to pass sensible reform of our nation’s outdated mining laws. The TRCP will be working with our partner organizations, individual hunters and anglers and members of Congress to overhaul this antiquated law.
Sign up as a Western Sportsman Advocate to get involved!
Read the sportsmen’s recommendations for mining law reform.
Federal funding challenges highlighted in annual report of sportsmen’s consensus priorities. Read More
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently announced a federal moratorium on new mining claims on public land surrounding the Grand Canyon. Read More
Federal funding challenges highlighted in annual report of sportsmen’s consensus priorities. Read More
More than 1 million acres of prime fish and wildlife habitat, public access sustained by federal decision. Read More
A summary of the TRCP's 2012 conservation policy agenda. Download the Report
A summary of the TRCP's 2012 conservation policy agenda. Download the Report
In the 21st century, our western wildlife habitats are being affected by energy development, impacts from climate change and hard-rock mining. The TRCP is working effectively – from the grass roots to Capitol Hill – to preserve our wild lands and wildlife habitats.
