Home / Environment / Conservationists Sue to Halt Polluted Mine Land Sale
Conservationists Sue to Halt Polluted Mine Land Sale
16 Jul
Summary
- Thousands of acres of polluted public land near Anaconda Mine are at stake.
- Conservation groups allege sale removes oversight and allows future mining.
- A federal court is currently reviewing the legality of the land transfer.
A legal battle is underway as conservation groups sue the federal government to halt the proposed transfer of over 2,000 acres of public land near the Anaconda Mine to Atlantic Richfield. The Bureau of Land Management approved the sale, asserting it would expedite the cleanup of the superfund site, even though the company's responsibility for remediation will persist. Conservation organizations, including Great Basin Resource Watch, argue this privatization will eliminate public oversight and open the door for further mining activities without necessary environmental evaluations.
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du recently heard arguments regarding a preliminary injunction sought by the environmental plaintiffs. They contend that the sale of these currently public lands will cause irreparable harm to their members. The Bureau of Land Management stated the site has no fair market value due to its contamination and cleanup costs, previously valuing it at $760,000 before historical mining impacts. The agency also concluded the sale would have no significant environmental impact, negating the need for a full environmental impact study.
