7 letters we are sending today on behalf of small miners and public land users. These letters are addressed to: Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. This is not an endorsement of any one candidate, we are only showing the template of the letters being sent.
Dear Mr. Trump,
AMRA, American Mining Rights Association is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) public land and small mining advocacy association which represents tens of thousands small miners and public land users in America. We are made up of environmentally responsible men and women who enjoy using our public lands, both for recreation and for many, the fundamental right to make our living obtaining the valuable minerals from our Federal mining claims. Rural communities have been devastated by public land closures for political purposes. Many of these closures are performed by “management agencies” and not Congress. These closures have deeply impacted businesses which have relied on the income generated from mining, tourism and money’s spent in their businesses for supplies, gas, food and lodging.
In the past two decades we have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of public land being withdrawn from access by miners, hikers, hunters, fishermen, campers, off-roaders and others who enjoy the outdoors. Also in the past two decades, we have seen management agencies such as the USFS, DFG, EPA and BLM actively work against the very people who own the lands, we the people. The EPA is threatening to put people in jail and fine them $37,500 per day if they mine their mining claims which is a fundamental right granted by Congress. Federal mining claims are “real property” as recognized by the Supreme Court, with many of these owners being required to pay property taxes on these pieces of property. The USFS is restricting access to these “real property” claims all across the West. Gates are being installed to lock and block everyone from their own lands.
What specifically is your stance when it comes to the right to use our public lands and more specifically, the fundamental right to obtain the valuable minerals from Federal mining claims? AMRA does not endorse any political candidate, but we will provide our members, supporters and followers with your response to this critical situation involving our public lands.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Mr. Shannon Poe
President, AMRA
American Mining Rights Association