Law will help protect country, environment

I hope everyone is aware that our U.S. representative, Bill Sali, voted against HB 2262 on Nov. 1.

That bill is designed to reform the Mining Act of 1872. Because of that act the mining interests have a much more leverage in disputes over the siting of mines than do the states or their residents.

One of the stumbling blocks in the bill, for the "no" voters, is the imposition of royalties, payable to the federal government, for extraction of valuable minerals. The oil and gas industry normally pays 12 1/2 percent of the gross production of a well to the landowner on whose property the well is drilled. This bill imposes an 8 percent royalty. There is currently no royalty paid by miners for the minerals they extract from public lands. In addition, the current tax law gives the extraction industries a special tax deduction for depletion which, unlike depreciation, can be significantly greater than the cost of developing a well or mine.

So why did Bill Sali vote no? There is no explanation on his Web site. Yet this bill will level the playing field in our fight to protect Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River from potential damage from the Rock Creek Mine. Without this law it is significantly more likely that the Rock Creek Mine will get its permits and threaten our community.

Let Bill Sali know if you are concerned about this bill. Better yet, let him know next November when he is up for reelection.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint