Memo
from the President
Wow! The new millenium has arrived and my computer still works!!!
Either Y2K never was anything serious or all the problems were fixed.
Guess it depends whether you were the payor or payee of ($320 Billion).
The most interesting news of the day turned out to be a toss up between
signing away the Panama Canal and Boris Yeltsin resigning due to money
laundering charges in exchange for immunity and a pardon.
As for the traditional fireworks – watching the celebrations move across
time zones was entertaining. Too bad Seattle scaled back, between
the civil unrest associated with the World Trade Organization talks and
the explosives seized crossing from Canada to the U.S.A. it was a safe
move. None of the stolen explosives were from the mining industry;
my congratulations to the mine site security teams!
Roadless Areas
The comment period regarding the Notice of Intent for National Forest
System Roadless Areas has passed but I doubt if we have seen the last of
it. In addition to the great work that Susie Mason provided I would
like to post the following for the next go round. We need everybody
to become involved and comment on proposed rule/regulation/law changes.
First; the temporary suspension of road construction/reconstruction
should be lifted. If there is insufficient funding to build new and
maintain old roads, simply stop building them, one does not need to legislatively
prohibit their potential construction because a lack of funding. (Vulcan
logic)
Second; while there is strong public sentiment for a clean environment,
that sentiment comes from all walks of life, the staunch environmentalist
as well as the staunch multiple use concept crowd. The difference
is the first group prefers fewer roads while the later group prefers current
roads and the current law.
Third; economic an social effects resulting from reductions in commercial
timber harvest and mineral commodity production will be significant.
Our society is the most consumptive on earth. As we continue to decrease
domestic production our dependence on foreign imports continues to rise.
An unnecessary national security risk.
Fourth; I disagree with the need to essentially expand our wilderness
system through the temporary suspension of road construction and reconstruction.
Fifth; I disagree with the minimum acreage size change from 5,000 acres
to 1,000 acres. I have an interest in fee land that is surrounded
by the Plumas National Forest, in Plumas County, California. There
are numerous other fee properties in the general area and a small town
2 miles away, this 1000 acre proposal would allow the creation of a roadless
area that would meander like a zebra stripe between the existing roads,
my property, and the town.
Sixth; unpatented mining claims in areas that are designated as roadless,
constitutes a “Taking” of the potential mineral value of the claims.
Seventh; the proposals range from status quo to increasing regulations,
they do not include an alternative that would decrease regulations.
Eighth; the lack of congressionally approved definitions of road classifications
is problematic.
NLA Officers for the New Millenium
The nomination committee has a full slate of officers ready for installation
at the January meeting. Commitment, that’s the spirit!
MALARI 2000
MALRI “2000” is well on its way, check out the webpage
connected to the NLA website.
JANUARY 10, 2000
CLICK
FOR 2000 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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