Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: September 29, 1999

Contact: John Wright 202/208-6416
Celia Boddington 202/452-5128

Statement of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt Regarding the
National Research Council's Report on Hardrock
Mining on Federal Lands

"While we have not had an opportunity to review the report in detail, I note that the team of experts who prepared it unanimously agree that some important changes are necessary in existing regulations governing hardrock mining on federal lands. I view this report, which was commissioned by Congress, as an endorsement of my decision in January 1997 to complete a process, initiated in the Bush Administration, to revise these regulations.

"We will reopen the period for public comment on our proposed reforms for 120 days, to hear from affected interests regarding our rules and the Council's report. After we complete that consultation we intend to move forward with final rules that will respond to both public comment and the Council's report. I hope that the Council's recommendations will provide the basis for constructive dialogue with the Congress to build a consensus for putting needed reforms in place.

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