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House Bill 1165, which has been introduced by Rep. Randy Fischer of Fort Collins, would insure that property owners know when exploration for minerals is planned in their immediate area. It would also give local governments more of a say when mining is proposed. Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction (CARD) supports HB 1165. It is currently in the Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee. CARD encourages you to contact the members of the committee to urge them to vote for HB 1165.
Currently, people across northern Weld County – and the state – have no way of knowing if or when a company wants to drill for uranium or other minerals in their immediate area. This secrecy goes back to the fear of claim jumping in the 1800s. “In today’s world, this secrecy is ridiculous,” says CARD spokesperson Jackie Adolph. “People don’t jump claims anymore. They go get leases and they sign agreements that give them the legal right to minerals before they ever start drilling.” This Bill would prevent landowners from being blindsided by mining companies, while protecting companies’ proprietary information. Colorado is the only western state that keeps the drilling and exploration phase of mining a secret from the people who could be directly affected by that drilling and exploration. House Bill 1165 also asserts the importance and merits of local control, and introduces balance into the mining permit process. The proposed change would not affect the state’s legitimate role of ensuring uniform reclamation standards for mined lands. But local government has the responsibility -- and must have the authority -- to develop land use plans that can protect our water resources for our children and our children’s children. “The proposal to mine uranium in Weld County shows why we need local governments to have some authority over situations that could have huge impacts on our communities,” Adolph points out. “Somebody’s plan to make a lot of money should not be more important than our water, health, safety, property values, and way of life without our local governments having a say.” Click here for more information about HB 1165 (and HB 1161). It is critical that HB 1165 is passed out of committee. You can help by contacting the individuals on the Agriculture Committee. Agriculture Committee Members
| Name | Phone | Email | | Frank McNulty | 303-866-2936 | http://www.frankmcnulty.com/contactfrank.html | | Jerry Sonnenberg | 303-866-3706 |
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| | Wes McKinley | 303-866-2398 |
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| Christine Scanlan
| 303-866-2952
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| Mary Hodge
| 303-866-2912 |
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| Kathleen Curry (Chair)
| 303-866-2945
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| | Rafael Gallegos | 303-866-2916 |
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| | Buffie McFadyen | 303-866-2905 |
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| | Marsha Looper | 303-866-2946 |
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| | Judy Solano | 303-866-2918 |
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| | Randy Fischer | 303-866-2917 |
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| | Ray Rose | 303-866-2955 |
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| | Cory Gardner | 303-866-2906 |
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