Homestead

Gold, silver and lithium mining on federal land doesn’t bring in any royalties to the US Treasury – because of an 1872 law

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

Miners used picks, shovels and pressurized water hoses to pry loose valuable minerals like gold and silver.

Key Points: 
  • Miners used picks, shovels and pressurized water hoses to pry loose valuable minerals like gold and silver.
  • Today, mining is a high-technology industry, but it is still governed by the Mining Law of 1872.
  • Even when lands that formerly were available for mining receive new protected status as national parks or monuments, the 1872 mining law protects existing mining claims on those lands.
  • Minerals like lithium, uranium and copper are essential for shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and for many other uses in our increasingly technological society.
  • As a natural resource and public land scholar, I agree with many others who argue that the 1872 mining law is archaic and overdue for an update.

Royalty-free development

  • Today, open federal public lands are managed by either the U.S. Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management.
  • In either case, they are considered available for hard rock mining.
  • For example, the current royalty rate for oil and gas production on federal land is 16.67% of the market value of these fuels.
  • High-profile mining proposals today include copper mines in Arizona and lithium mines in Nevada.

Decades of debate

  • Mining on public lands, especially prior to the 1970s, left a multitude of contaminated zones that federal agencies are still working to clean up at taxpayer expense.
  • Today, mining operations are subject to modern land management and environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act.
  • But these laws were not written specifically to address mining and do not fully cover issues such as disposal of mine waste.
  • In their view, the federal government applies the 1872 mining law in a way that forces companies to spend years securing necessary approvals.
  • In September 2023, the Interior Department released a 168-page report making recommendations for improving mining on public lands.
  • These measures would retain the structure of the 1872 law while taking steps to streamline permitting for large-scale mining activities.

Balancing critical minerals and conservation

  • In my view, focusing myopically on critical minerals and moving forward with a new era of domestic mining should not occur without reforming the 1872 law.
  • Halting climate change and powering a new green economy may involve some trade-offs between short-term and long-term environmental protection goals.
  • In 1872, our nation’s lands and natural resources may have seemed inexhaustible; today, we know they are finite, and that using them responsibly means balancing development and stewardship.


Sam Kalen served as Special Assistant to the Associate Solicitor for Minerals and Resources at the US Department of the Interior from 1994-1996. Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Poptential™ by Certell Offers Free Teacher Lessons on American Immigration

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 30, 2023

Instructors can find content to teach the history of U.S. immigration, what motivates people to emigrate to America, and how the country can manage the influx of immigrants in Poptential™, a family of free social studies course packages from Certell.

Key Points: 
  • Instructors can find content to teach the history of U.S. immigration, what motivates people to emigrate to America, and how the country can manage the influx of immigrants in Poptential™, a family of free social studies course packages from Certell.
  • Lessons on American immigration are included in the Poptential World History Volume 2 e-book, including:
    Fighting for Citizenship: During the Civil War, many immigrants were conscripted to fight for the Union army immediately upon arriving in America.
  • A video clip highlights America’s immigration wave from the late 19th century to the early 20th century and the laws enacted to slow down mass immigration.
  • Course packages in American History, World History, U.S. Government/Civics, and Economics are available free at www.poptential.org .

Oxland Group Reveals Plans for 1,860-acre Master-Planned Community in Montgomery County

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Oxland Group , a Texas-based residential development company, presented plans for its recently acquired 1,860-acre development to more than 30 residential home builders yesterday in Houston.

Key Points: 
  • Oxland Group , a Texas-based residential development company, presented plans for its recently acquired 1,860-acre development to more than 30 residential home builders yesterday in Houston.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230823663383/en/
    Oxland Group introduces the vision for its new 1,860-acre development in Montgomery County, Texas, called Two Step Farm.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    “In a community named Two Step Farm, music is at its heart,” says Tom Woliver, co-president of Oxland Group.
  • Oxland Group closed on the land deal with Los Angeles- and Dallas-based Regent Properties on July 19, 2023.

CHARTER HOMES & NEIGHBORHOODS® ANNOUNCES GRANGE - REIMAGINING A NEW STANDARD IN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023

CARLISLE, Pa., Aug. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning Charter Homes & Neighborhoods®, reimagining how people live throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania for over 30 years, has announced Grange, a modern neighborhood with historic provenance located in Cumberland County's Middlesex Township in the Cumberland Valley School District. On a former dairy farm owned by The Stover Family who have farmed in the region for over 100 years, Grange will feature 45 acres of preserved land in the 167-acre neighborhood.

Key Points: 
  • On a former dairy farm owned by The Stover Family who have farmed in the region for over 100 years, Grange will feature 45 acres of preserved land in the 167-acre neighborhood.
  • "When designing a neighborhood, we walk around the land and look for opportunities tell stories of what came before.
  • By preserving spaces and natural features, Grange will be yet another special Charter destination where generations can thrive," said Rob Bowman, president of Charter Homes & Neighborhoods.
  • The Homestead at Grange will include the initial creation of 48 modern homes, including the preserved and restored family farmhouse and iconic silo.

Introducing Happy Farmer: A Revolutionary Solution for Homesteaders and Farmers Seeking Commercial and Backyard Poultry Coops

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 20, 2023

Their mobile coops are available on their website, https://www.happyfarmer.store/ , and are meticulously crafted to cater to the unique needs of both small and large-scale poultry farmers.

Key Points: 
  • Their mobile coops are available on their website, https://www.happyfarmer.store/ , and are meticulously crafted to cater to the unique needs of both small and large-scale poultry farmers.
  • With durability, functionality, and the welfare of the birds in mind, Happy Farmer provides a healthy solution for a thriving poultry business.
  • Happy Farmer's coops also come in various sizes and configurations, allowing farmers to choose the ideal solution for their specific requirements.
  • Visit their website at https://www.happyfarmer.store/ to explore their range of chicken coops and join their community of passionate poultry farmers.

National Park Foundation Funds New and Expanded Learning Opportunities to Connect Kids to Parks

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

"National parks are America's largest classrooms, offering new and expanded learning opportunities for students," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth. "Open OutDoors for Kids grantees are pioneering the ways kids and classrooms connect with national parks and experience -- both in-person and virtually  -- the wonder and complexities of nature and history."

Key Points: 
  • "National parks are America's largest classrooms, offering new and expanded learning opportunities for students," said National Park Foundation President and CEO Will Shafroth.
  • "Each national park is related to a part of our national identity and park educational programs bring history, civics, science and the arts to life for students," said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.
  • Individuals, foundations, and companies can support NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program by visiting the National Park Foundation website.
  • The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate, and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks.

RIGGED Wins Best Original Music Recognition at the San Diego Movie Awards

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 15, 2022

RIGGED has been awarded Honorable Mention Best Original Music by the San Diego Movie Awards , the independent festival that honors films and filmmakers across the globe, recognizing each type of artist involved in the filmmaking process.

Key Points: 
  • RIGGED has been awarded Honorable Mention Best Original Music by the San Diego Movie Awards , the independent festival that honors films and filmmakers across the globe, recognizing each type of artist involved in the filmmaking process.
  • This award follows RIGGEDs recent win for Best Short Documentary at the Septimius Awards held in Amsterdam earlier this year.
  • RIGGEDs recognition in the Best Original Music category is for Music Composer Garrett Wolfston , a professional music and film score composer whose original compositions are featured throughout the documentary.
  • Thanks to the San Diego Movie Awards for their recognition of the RIGGED musical score, said Mr. Wolfston.

Let North Dakota Sunflowers Put a Smile on Your Face

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 1, 2022

Throughout August the golden flowers bloom ubiquitously throughout the state, and North Dakota Tourism invites visitors to experience these awe-inspiring fields.

Key Points: 
  • Throughout August the golden flowers bloom ubiquitously throughout the state, and North Dakota Tourism invites visitors to experience these awe-inspiring fields.
  • For visitors planning a picture-perfect trip, North Dakota Tourism has launched the state's 2022 Sunflower Blooms Guide detailing the location of 20 stunning sunflower fields.
  • "As one of the nation's largest producers of sunflowers, North Dakota has a Legendary reputation as the best place in the United States to experience the vast sunflower blooms," said North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman.
  • As one of the top two sunflower producing states annually, North Dakota raises an impressive 40 percent of the nation's sunflowers.

RIGGED Wins Best Short Documentary at the Septimius Awards

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 6, 2022

RIGGED has been awarded Best Short Documentary by the Septimius Awards , an international award ceremony showcasing the best feature films, documentaries, shorts, animations, television series, and screenplays from around the world.

Key Points: 
  • RIGGED has been awarded Best Short Documentary by the Septimius Awards , an international award ceremony showcasing the best feature films, documentaries, shorts, animations, television series, and screenplays from around the world.
  • RIGGED explains how the long prevailing Wealthist value system in U.S. higher education restricts opportunity and upward mobility for our citizens and thus undermines U.S. democracy.
  • RIGGED builds on the historical premise that growing economic imbalance ultimately leads to social unrest, political upheaval, and war.
  • RIGGED recalls the origins of the American Dream when the linchpin of economic opportunity was access to land.

The Benford Company Partners with Homestead Entertainment to Distribute Slate Featuring A-List BIPOC Talent

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

The Benford Company's, TBC Sports Entertainment division will curate the sports centric content for the deal, in coordination with USMI, led by principals Vassal Benford and Torrel Harris Sr. respectively.

Key Points: 
  • The Benford Company's, TBC Sports Entertainment division will curate the sports centric content for the deal, in coordination with USMI, led by principals Vassal Benford and Torrel Harris Sr. respectively.
  • Benford's collaboration with Homestead will bring sports offerings and documentaries based on and featuring A-list athletic talent stories.
  • We're looking forward to working with him and his team to bring great content from both new and well-known talent to the world," said Sean Armstrong, Principal at Homestead Entertainment.
  • "I couldn't think of a better partner to align with than Homestead Entertainment, given their leading position in consistently providingpremium content for Black audiences," said Benford.