| Desert Bill . . . | CONSERVATION UPDATE |  |
Although Senator Cranston continues his determined efforts to get the California Desert Protection Act passed by the Senate Committee, it looks like we will have to wait for a new congress to see any action with this six year old bill.
Ward Valley
We are facing an extreme escalation of pressure by the nuclear power industry to get a radioactive waste dump at Ward Valley on-line. In spite of the support shown by the California legislature in passing two bills aimed at protecting the health and safety of California, Gov. Pete Wilson vetoed them both.
Although attempts to put this dump at Ward Valley have so far been stopped by teams of environmentalists, the Department of Health Services is now attempting to circumvent regulations by buying the Ward Valley site outright from the BLM. As of this writing, the only thing preventing it is a block in the land transfer by the State Land Commission.
You can still help by writing to Lt. Coy. Leo McCarthy and urge that the State Lands Commission maintain control of the site until safety and liability issues are resolved.
Pat AchesonConservation Chair
MORE CONSERVATION NEWSRon Jones
FLASH - FLASH - FLASH! The Eagle Mtn Landfill Project (see paragraph next page) was recently approved by the Riverside Co. Board of Directors. Joan Taylor, head of the San Gorgonio Chapter of the S. Club said, The project stands to be a net positive for the desert.
The BRIGGS proposal by the Canyon Resources Corporation for the 550 acre open pit cyanide heap leach mine below Manly Peak (See front page of the July SAGE) continues in the preparation of its EIS proposal. For more information contact John Danlo, Vice President-Operations, Canyon Resources Corp, at 303-278-8464 or write: 14142 Denver West Parkway, Ste 250, Golden CO 80401. You can also contact Lee Delaney, BLM Area Manager at 619-375-7125 or write: 300 So Richmond Rd, Ridgecrest 93555.
Steve Smith recently sent out the Final Environmental Impact Statement (it's a done deal) for the Baltic Mine Project of the Rand Mining Co. This will be another open pit / cyanide heap leach mine occupying 532 acres one & 1/2 miles south of Randsburg. They will mine up to 25,000 tons per day for 5 to 6 years and close the Randsburg Loop Rd and the Red Mountain Rd. It will cause an incremental increase in the use of Highway 395 causing an increase in the potential of accidents [Mammoth Mtn skiers?] on that highway. You can write BLM Area Manager, Lee Delaney, at the address above for more information.
Mr Henri Bisson has been selected as the new District manager for the California Desert District. He currently serves as the District Manager of the Phoenix district in Arizona.