General Mining Act of 1872

At NWF, he helped lead the organization's response to the BP oil spill and its efforts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Boundary Waters, and the Everglades.

And he also engaged on the effort to reform the General Mining Law of 1872, the cleanup of abandoned hard rock mines, and extending black lung benefits to miners in West Virginia and elsewhere.

Current NWF president Colin O'Mara called him, quote, a happy warrior of the conservation community, end quote, and described him as a mentor and friend who believed in bringing everyone along.

That is our report for October 9th, 2026.

So you guys got to keep hearing this.

But the Mining Act of 1872 is insane.

And it is, you know...

These companies pay, you know, $2 to $5 an acre for rights on these properties and pay no royalties.

Grazers get a 95% discount on public lands compared to private lands.

And the kicker is mining, since it's governed by the General Mining Act of 1872.

The people who are mining stuff out of public lands, they don't have to pay the government, therefore us, a single penny.

It's time to nationalize the fossil fuel industry.

I mean, I've talked about this for, like, four episodes in a row, but it just blows my mind.

The Mining Act of 1872 is still on the books today.

Yeah.

And these mining companies pay $2.50 to $5 an acre For the rights to these mining claims, and they pay no royalties.