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[Thread] Unfortunately, South Dakota #HB1258 was defeated [which would have put more restrictions on #LithiumMining]... And I knew Burgum would betray #NativeAmericans (even though he promised not to).
‘Unleashing American Energy’: Mining and Drilling Accelerated Under Trump Administration
By Angelica (Angie) Solloa • February 12, 2025
"You may have heard that #DebHaaland (Laguna Pueblo) transitioned out of her role as the US Secretary of the Department of Interior and announced her candidacy for Governor New Mexico. Her successor, former North Dakota Governor #DougBurgum, is steadfast in carrying out Trump’s Executive Order 14154 '#UnleashingAmericanEnergy' which aims to accelerate #mining and drilling on federal and #TribalLands.
"On February 3rd, Doug Burgum released this document which outlines all the revoked projects and programs intended to protect land and the people; giving a pathway for #MiningCompanies to hit the ground running across Turtle Island.
"In the #BlackHills, the #SacredLands of the #Lakota Peoples’, mining and drilling companies aren’t hesitating to cash out. Currently, South Dakota House Bill 1258 is under consideration by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where it will come to a vote this Thursday, February 13th. Community members and citizens of the area were given just six days’ notice.
WHAT IS HB 1258?
"The passage of South Dakota House Bill 1258 would hold lithium mining to the same standards and laws as silver and gold. Under the current law, lithium mining is treated like mining for sand and gravel, and there are not enough protections for human #health, #food systems, #water, #wildlife, and the #land.
"HB 1258 would offer more accountability and appropriate processes for mining companies that would better protect the land, the people, and the economy of the #Ȟesápa. #NDNCollective, alongside partner the #BlackHillsCleanWaterAlliance, collaborated to spread the word as fast as possible, calling on relatives to swiftly take action ahead of Thursday, February 13th."
Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/unleashing-american-energy-mining-and-drilling-accelerated-under-trump-administration/
#ProtectTheBlackHills #ProtectTheSacred #DefendTheSacred #NoMiningWithoutConsent #EnvironmentalRacism #DrillBabyDrill #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LeaveItInTheGround #CorporateColonialism #USPol #NoLithiumMining #DefendMotherEarth
Bill to increase #LithiumMining regulations killed in [#SouthDakota] state House
By Amelia Schafer Feb 14, 2025
"A new bill to increase regulations on lithium mining in South Dakota failed to make it out of the state House on Thursday.
"House Bill 1258, proposed by Rep. Nichole Uhre-Balk, D-Rapid City, would have placed lithium mining under the same regulations as gold and silver rather than its current sand and gravel standards.
"Hard rock mining (gold and silver) is subject to stricter #WaterPollution control regulations than sand and gravel mining.
"Organizations like #MidwestLithium are currently exploring mining operations in the hills. Most lithium in the hills is found around the #HarneyPeak Granite formation, according to the organization's webpage.
"The South Dakota lithium project is comprised of roughly 23,500 acres of both #federal and private Land.
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources committee first split 6-6 on a do-pass motion Thursday before voting 8-4 to send the bill to the 41st day, killing it.
"''I think the general consensus is that the issue needs to be addressed, and so we'll continue to look harder at that, make sure we get all of our any concerns addressed and try to bring that bill back next year,' Uhre-Balk told the crowd at Saturday's crackerbarrel event hosted by Elevate Rapid City.
"Organizations like the local Indigenous led nonprofit #NDNCollective and the #BlackHillsCleanWaterAssociation spoke out in support of the bill Wednesday, stating that increased lithium mining threatens clean water for Black Hills residents especially since its treated like sand or gravel mining.
"Critics of the bill, such as Mike Lees, program administrator for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Minerals Mining Program, said current regulations are sufficient. At the crackerbarrel, Rep. Tim Goodwin, R-Rapid City, said the bill, 'was going to choke off mining. It was bureaucratic.'
"Uhre-Balk said the bill wouldn't stop mining.
"House Agriculture committee members cited a need to better understand the issue when voting to send it to the 41st day.
"The #SouthDakotaMineralIndustriesOrganization was not immediately available for comment."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/Gqvb8
#ProtectTheBlackHills #ProtectTheSacred #DefendTheSacred #NoMiningWithoutConsent #EnvironmentalRacism #DrillBabyDrill #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LeaveItInTheGround #CorporateColonialism #USPol #NoLithiumMining #DefendMotherEarth