AIPG NEVADA SECTION NEWSLETTER SPRING 2015 AIPG Scholarships UNR students Nathan Foote and Taylor Krabiel, recipients of this year’s AIPG National scholarship awards, will each receive a check for $1,000 to be presented to them at the monthly Geological Society of Nevada (GSN) meeting at the Elks Club on April 17th. Nathan, as well as a number of other UNR students, is also receiving a GSN scholarship to help defray UNR field camp expenses. Government Affairs One of the benefits of living in Northern Nevada is the proximity of the Capitol Complex in Carson City. One of the goals discussed during our annual Christmas meeting at the Ramada Inn was how best to introduce a member(s) of the AIPG student section to the legislative process. Students have demanding schedules in science and taking a day off to attend what some folks think of as akin to watching paint dry is also not too exciting. However, thanks to a program developed last year by the Nevada Mining Association, one of our AIPG student section members, Mike St. Clair, was able to attend a “meet your legislature “day. Mike’s report follows. Legislative Experience, February 26, 2015, by Michael St. Clair After travelling to Carson City with Kel Buchanan, Nevada Section AIPG president, our day began at the Nevada Mining Association luncheon, held near the Capitol Building. This luncheon was similar to many dinners that we students are invited to attend; in fact a number of the faces were ones I recognized. The social time prior to the lunch was a good opportunity for those of us who are not accustomed to attending these functions to briefly wind down and meet new people. (At left are Michael St. Clair and Nevada State Senator James Settlemeyer) Sara Bonakdar was introduced as the luncheon keynote speaker. She is the International Business Manager for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Sara discussed her job as to how it relates to international businesses with the goal of enticing them to Nevada. Her office works to strengthen Nevada mining interests in foreign nations. She discussed the mining interests of the UK as well other nations. Some of the bills that have been or will be introduced to this year’s legislature were discussed. Although there are many bills that may or may not directly affect Nevada’s mining industry, such as SB65, SB81, AB 187, AJR2, there are three that were specifically mentioned and discussed. SB173-‐“An act relating to mining reclamation: revising provisions governing exceptions to certain reclamation requirements for open pit mines; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. As explained within the bill, “This bill requires that the Division [of Environmental Protection of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources] determine whether the project or operation will result in the creating of a pit lake, a body of water resulting from a pit that penetrates the water table. If the Division determines that pit lake will be created, the operator applying for the exception must show that the operator has a water right for the amount of water estimated to be lost by evaporation from the pit lake as the lake fills and when it reaches its predicted filled surface area. If such a showing is not made to the satisfaction of the Division, this bill requires the Division to deny the request for the exception.” The concern for the mining industry, as I understand it, is that there is no agreement as to when this law will be in effect. Would this be enforced for the existence of the lake or would it be in effect until the closing of the pit lake? There was some obvious ambiguity and concern and this is something that needs to be monitored by those of us who are stakeholders. It actually concerns every resident of Nevada, since the concerns of the mining industry are in fact the same concerns of Nevadans. The mining heritage of our state is very important and mining brings a lot of jobs and a much needed revenue to our state. SB11-‐“An act relating to contractors: requiring a contractor to dispose of solid waste at a materials recovery facility under certain circumstances; making an appropriation for a study relating to materials recover facilities; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. While this bill was being discussed and although I was not sure of all the details, it is not difficult for me to imagine the repercussions for mining subcontractors. It also seems that the creation of a ‘Material Recovery Facility’ seems to be just more bureaucracy and another state-‐run money-‐making ploy. It is no leap of the imagination to realize that extra fees that contractors incur will simply be passed on to the mining industry through higher prices. SJR5-‐Expreses support for the 2014 Nevada Greater Sage-‐Grouse Conservation Plan developed by the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council and urges the United States Fish and Wildlife Service not to list the greater sage-‐grouse as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 I like this bill. It is very simple and straight to the point. The language is written concisely and is easily understood. We agree with the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council, a council put together by Governor Brian Sandoval, that we would rather not see the Sage-‐
Grouse added to the Endangered Species list. Including this fowl to list will hurt Nevada mining. It will limit exploration hours and seasons of operation, with repercussions much more than I am able to imagine. Effects to the mining industry could have many unintended detriments and therefore a considerable burden to the people of Nevada. Lastly, there was some discussion about the projected statewide legalization of medical marijuana. There is cause for concern because until there is some Federal consensus on the utilization of medical marijuana, then it is still illegal. Obviously there is a great deal of concern of the status of Federal restrictions that need to be revised. In my admittedly ignorant view of the law, if it is illegal, then it is illegal and it should be treated as any other controlled substance would be. I think operators other than ‘specific’
employees should be tested regularly and often and this would be understood as a term of their employment and not up for negotiation. Violations would be dealt with swiftly and harshly with the potential for legal action in the event of workplace accidents. After the luncheon concluded, we split into two groups of 45 people. Each group walked up to the Capitol and after arriving, was given a guided tour of the Senate and Assembly chambers and access to committee rooms. After the tours were completed, Dana Bennett (pictured at right), the Nevada Mining Associated Executive Director, had arranged for a number of Assemblymen, Assemblywomen and Senators to give brief addresses. Some legislators acted in concert with others, some legislators addressed us individually, but all legislators went out of their way to be informative and entertaining. At 5:00 PM, the Capitol tour adjourned and our group travelled to the Governor’s mansion for a hosted cocktail party with networking opportunities. I’d like to thank the Nevada Mining Association and the AIPG for the opportunity of learning a little of how the legislative process works. Michael St. Clair 4th Year Geology, University of Nevada Although Mike was expecting a fairly dry day of proceedings, he was pleasantly surprised, not only by the diversity of the legislators, but by the lack of protocol needed to tour the hallowed chambers. What surprised Mike the most was the lack of screening devices to detect for firearms. The fact that the public is free to access any Nevada legislator was quite an experience for a military veteran who has spent time in some of the world’s more scenic spots (eg. Bosnia). Stopping by at one of Carson City’s watering holes on our way to the Governor’s Mansion, we ran into Terri and Larry Garside. They were in Carson City to attend a Stanley Paher book review of western folk lore. During the course of our conversation, Terri commented on Mike’s military service, and her own family’s military service. Voila`, before Mike could respond, Terri and Larry suggested that Mike might like to attend the GSN Symposium. He said yes, so AIPG picked up Mike’s registration and the Garsides paid for the field trip. It’s usual for UNR students to see the professional side of our industry, but the generosity of people like the Garsides indicates how professionals in our industry appreciate those people who will keep our industry vibrant. Fiscal Matters The annual Christmas Roundup at the Ramada attracted 102 attendees. Our dinner sponsor for wine and cocktails was Boart Longyear As most of you know, the purpose of the Christmas meeting is to provide a venue for information and a program of eight industry speakers. The AIPG generally breaks even on the cost of the dinner and solicits contributions for the UNR AIPG student club in the form of raffle tickets for crystal specimens provided by Mark Stock of Global Hydrologic Services Inc.. This year, the raffle generated $1,570. Most of this income is contributed to the UNR Foundation for the benefit of the UNR AIPG/Mackay Rockhounds student club. Over the years, the local AIPG has contributed over $25,000 to the Foundation for this purpose. As of December 31, 2104, the AIPG Nevada Section had $33,991 in our investment account and $1,953 in our checking account. Public Land Matters This title is not meant to be a double entendre. Nevada geologists need access to public land. Nevada primarily consists of public land, but over the years, the percentage of accessible public land for geological exploration has been shrinking. The Wilderness Act of 1964, FLPMA in 1976, first the RARE, then RARE II in 1979, the 1980 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics inventory, the Wilderness areas created and the Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) are all familiar to professionals who work in extractive industries in the west. In general, land removals due to new wilderness areas created after 1983 and up to 1998 have for the most part been benign. Many of these efforts had broad public support. The Mt. Rose Wilderness area, supported by Barbara Vucanovich (R), is a good example of this progressive legislation. Clark and Lincoln countries subsequently participated in land swaps and wilderness creation in 1998 and 2002. However, four years later, in 2006, White Pine County entered into a water/land/wilderness enterprise that some thought allowed for over pumping of groundwater for use in the southern party of the state. While the agreement had the backing of most environmental groups because of the creation of new Wilderness Areas, the groundwater pumping issue tempered their enthusiasm. In late 2007, an effort to create a considerable acreage of wilderness in designated areas of Esmeralda, Lyon and Mineral counties was proposed by the same parties that had been so successful in White Pine County. High Country News reported that, once the populace of Lyon County found out the details of the effort, 400 citizens showed up to a hearing in Smith Valley and 500 citizens showed up to a hearing in Yerington. Subsequent lobbying by the three county commissions and private parties to their elected federal representatives continued until the summer of 2008. The effort to create wilderness (several Wilderness Study Areas had been proposed by a Non-‐
Governmental Group (NGO)) slowly evaporated. The Mining Law of 1872 was a factor, but the chief roadblock to creating new WSAs was getting an acquiescent Congress to pass a wilderness bill, the only necessary component to overcome the roadblock. On December 22, 2010, the Department of Interior issued Order 3310 declaring the intention of managing much of the public land controlled by the BLM as “Wildlands”. The electoral change in the makeup of the House of Representatives resulted in a threat by the Republican House leadership to withhold funds from Interior for funding “Wildlands”. On June 1, 2011, Secretary Salazar advised Congress he was withdrawing “Wildlands” from further consideration. However, this June Memorandum from the Secretary also noted that the Department of Interior would be soliciting input from various parties to identify BLM lands as suitable candidates for Congressional protection under the Wilderness Act. The Carson City District Office (CCDO) of the BLM provides us with an example of how this directive from the Secretary has been followed. The CCDO completed their Scoping Summary Report in January of 2013. They completed an Analysis of the Management Situation in March of 2013. If there were mining claimants who were cognizant of these documents at the time, none have spoken. The CCDO released a draft RMP/EIS on Friday, November 28, 2014. Thanksgiving Day in 2014 fell on November 27th. The comment period for the RMP/EIS, originally set for 120 days, was extended by 30 days to April 27, 2015. The exploration community (geologists, landsmen, etc.) became aware of the draft RMP/EIS in January of 2015. One explanation for the tardy response from the exploration community was that the BLM did not notify any mining claimant, even those with active permits, about the existence of the draft RMP/EIS. Owners of mining claims impacted by being in the designated areas of interest, especially those claim owners from out of state, would very likely know nothing about the existence of these designated areas (called LWCs) for years, unless of course, they applied for a permit to do work on their claims. Not all parties with interest in wilderness creation were as uninformed as the Nevada exploration community about the impending RMP/EIS. This photo, showing mining disturbance, is one of 44 photos taken on the Chukar Ridge/Wildhorse area (BLM identifier, NV 030-‐
405) during the period October 1-‐3, 2013 and submitted as substantive comments to the BLM on December 19, 2013. The same NGO was involved in the 2007 WSA effort. The AIPG has always agreed with the concept that public lands be managed for multiple use purposes. If public lands with potential mineral wealth are continually removed from access by the natural resource industry, our profession will suffer as a result. The complete CCDO RMP/EIS is available on the BLM website. The BLM will take comments through 4:30 PM, April 27th, 2015. Have a successful summer season! Kel Buchanan, C.P.G. #6058, Nevada Section President HB Engineering Group, P.O. Box 2391, Reno NV 89505 775 786-‐4515 [email protected]