Articles Posted in Natural Resources & Mining

Published on: January 13, 2017

Important news for mining companies with existing or future projects in the California desert

BLM releases maps showing 1.3 million acres of proposed mining withdrawal

On January 13, 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) released maps showing the areas that BLM, on December 28, 2016, proposed to withdraw from mining. The withdrawal is designed to “protect nationally significant landscapes with outstanding cultural, biological, and scientific values” and is part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (“DRECP”).

What does the proposed withdrawal do?

Kerry Shapiro

Kerry Shapiro
is the Chair of JMBM's Natural Resources and Mining Group and co-chairs its Construction and Building Materials Group. Kerry serves as General Counsel to the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA), and chairs the association's Legal Action Committee. He has represented the mining industry on mineral extraction and land development projects for over 25 years, providing legal services on government, land use, environment, and natural resources matters, at federal, state, and local levels. His experience includes securing entitlements for the largest federally-approved sand and gravel project in the United States, obtaining the first vested rights confirmation from the California State Mining and Geology Board for the largest aggregate deposit in California, and successfully representing mining companies before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and state courts of appeals on mining, CEQA and federal endangered species matters. Contact Kerry at 415.984.9612 or KShapiro@jmbm.com.

Ha Chung

Ha Chung
is an associate in the Government, Land Use, Environment & Energy Group. He advises clients on land use, development, water resources, and environmental regulatory compliance matters. Contact Ha at HChung@jmbm.com or 310.785.5347.