The recent proliferation of new mining claims and the critical need for reclamation and cleanup makes it clear. In the 21st century, America can no longer afford to manage its public lands and resources with an antiquated 19th law. Reform is needed and it must ensure that modern legal principles govern current-day mining of gold, uranium and other metals.

• Extinguish the "fire sale" of public land. The current system giving any individual or corporation — including those foreign-owned — the right to file claims and take title to public land must end. Public land belongs in public hands.
• Establish protection as a priority. The nation regarded metal mining as "the highest and best use" of public lands 135 years ago, but times have changed. Today, as western states experience the fastest growth in the nation, special places such as roadless areas in national forest, critical watersheds and wildlife corridors, timber and grazing lands, cultural and historic sites, and areas close to population centers should be placed off limits to mine exploration and development.
• End the entitlement and compensate taxpayers. Metal mining's special entitlement to take gold, uranium and other metals from public land virtually for free must be replaced with a system of royalty payments comparable to those currently charged to extract oil, gas and coal from public lands.
• Establish strong public health, environmental and cleanup standards. Metal mining emits more toxic pollutants than any other industry. Consequently, it should be required to meet the same environmental and cleanup standards that other sectors of the economy do, including compliance with the Clean Water Act and relevant conservation and hazardous waste laws.
• Create an abandoned mine fund. To address long-standing problems of abandoned mines, including contamination of drinking water, degradation of fish and wildlife habitat, and threats to public health in nearby communities, a program, similar to that used to clean up old coal mine sites should be established for metal mining.
• Assure accountability. In order to protect taxpayers from metal mining companies that do not adequately manage or reclaim their sites, operators that abandon mines, forfeit bonds or flout the law should be prohibited from being permitted or obtaining further access to public land.
• Respect the role of western communities. The voice of local communities should be heard and valued when mining decisions are made. This is particularly crucial because these decisions impact local economies, families, natural resources and sacred sites.