Copyright 1999 Federal Document Clearing House, Inc.
Federal Document Clearing House Congressional Testimony
June 17, 1999
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 440 words
HEADLINE:
TESTIMONY June 17, 1999 LARRY E. CRAIG SENATE ENERGY &
NATURAL RESOURCES FORESTS AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT CROWN JEWEL MINE
BODY:
STATEMENT FOR Larry E. Craig OVERSIGHT
HEARING ON THE CROWN JEWEL MINE Tuesday June 15, 1999 2:30 PM Today's hearing
comes about as a direct consequence of the commitment I made to my colleagues
during consideration of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. In making
that commitment I promised to look closely at events related to the
Administration's March 25, 1999 letter to Battle Mountain Gold in which they
vacated the Record of Decision for their Environmental Impact Statement and
denied their Plan Of Operations for the mine. It is also important, I believe,
to explore the effect such a decision might have on the rest of the domestic
mining industry if left unchecked. The Crown Jewel decision, as it is now
referred to ---- wreaked havoc with the two mining companies involved, stripping
away over $135 million of their market value. It also contains far reaching
implications which could have a profound effect on the domestic mining industry.
Given the potential impact of this decision and the fact that it appears to fly
directly in the face of over 127 years of common practice within the Department
of the Interior I think dictates that this Committee take an extremely close
look all the events associated with the Decision. We will be exploring 3
different aspects of the Crown Jewel Decision during the course of today's
hearing. First, I am eager to explore and put on the record the legal basis for
Solicitor Leshy's Millsite Opinion ----- what is the rational
for the opinion ----- what is the case law in support of or in opposition to the
opinion. It is important for all of us to remember that while we legislate,
regulate and pontificate here In Washington ------- the actions we take have far
reaching and profound effects on the real world. Therefore, my second goal is to
look at the effect the Administrations actions had on the real world ------ take
a close look at the Crown Jewel Mine Project and the surrounding community -----
see what was going on up there and how the folks up there reacted to the
decision. While the Congress rescued that particular project in the Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act, the impact the Solicitor's decision had on the
mine and the local communities was very real. Lastly, I would like to touch on
the effect the Solicitor's Opinion might have on the rest of the domestic mining
industry. We have a lot of witnesses today and a lot of valuable information to
get on the record ---------- we will be putting all of you on the 5 minute
clock. Be assured that your entire written testimony will be included in the
official hearing record.
LOAD-DATE: June 21, 1999
