January 22, 2013
The US EPA recently released new guidance for organizations and individuals working to clean up abandoned mines. This is a big step forward in addressing the liability obstacles to abandoned mine cleanup. Click here to read the official EPA Memorandum, or read an article from the Denver Post, below. EPA, Sen. Udall launch push to […]
December 6, 2012
MARYSVILLE, 6 December 2012 – The Sierra Fund CEO Izzy Martin briefed the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Board of Directors on abandoned mines and mercury issues in the Sierra at their December 5-6 meeting in Marysville. On December 6, she presented “Reclaiming the Gold Country: Opportunities for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy” which included background on […]
July 11, 2012
In addition to our successful advocacy for suction dredge mining reform, The Sierra Fund has been working on two mining-related bills introduced in the current CA legislative session: SB 143 (Rubio), which we support, would clarify the definition of an “idle” mine. This bill was introduced at the request of The Sierra Fund in response […]
July 10, 2012
Partner organization California Indian Environmental Alliance (CIEA) has provided the following three reports from the Indigenous People’s Caucus at “INC4” – the fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on Mercury. This year’s session was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from June 27 to July 2, […]
July 5, 2012
Budget Bill Saves Taxpayers Money, Protects Natural Resources SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Gov. Jerry Brown late Wednesday continued the current moratorium on the controversial gold mining technique known as “suction dredge mining” until the state develops regulations that pay for the program and protect water quality, wildlife and cultural resources. The new law also directs […]
June 21, 2012
From the LA Times Suction dredge gold mining along Northern California’s Klamath River must be reviewed by federal wildlife officials if threatened coho salmon might be harmed, the court rules. June 02, 2012|By Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times Recreational gold mining using suction dredges along Northern California’s Klamath River must be reviewed by federal wildlife […]
May 24, 2012
Sacramento, CA – Two legislative budget subcommittees acted yesterday to ensure that suction dredge gold mining in California’s rivers will not be allowed to resume until rules are in place that protect the waterways from environmental degradation. The Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommittees that oversee the budget of the CA Department of Fish and Game […]
March 29, 2012
NEVADA CITY, 29 March 2012 – The California Department of Fish and Game issued new regulations for suction dredge mining in California late Friday March 16, 2012. These regulations stem from a year-long rule-making process and were adopted just one day before the rule-making process either needed to be completed or started over again. The […]
February 23, 2012
On March 1, 2012 The Sierra Fund CEO Izzy Martin will speak at the first in a series of legislative briefings sponsored by Sierra Club of California and the Protect California Campaign. The briefing, “Mercury in Our Water: Still Suffering from the “Old” Gold Rush as the “New” Gold Rush Begins” will be held from […]
February 23, 2012
From the State Water Resources Control Board Water Board staff from around the state are working to develop a regulatory program to address mercury contamination in reservoirs in California. Four public scoping meetings have been scheduled around the state for March 2012. At the meetings, State Water Board staff will seek comments from the public […]
