Ulysses Grant rides again

The Colorado Conservation Alliance and its local rep Gina Jannett have been part of a West-wide coalition of environmental groups trying to stir up support for a new federal hardrock mining law for much of the last year. There's good reason for the reform of the 1872 Mining Law since it still allows companies to make very cheap claims to public-lands mineral rights and doesn't have any type of environmental protections. The House passed a version of the reform bill last November, with no thanks to Congresswoman Musgrave, and the Senate is now considering the legislation package.

CCA had some billboards up around the region for awhile, but proponents of the reform bill are now getting really creative:

From a press release from the Pew Campaign for Responsible Mining:

President Ulysses S. Grant, Colorado local officials to call on U.S. Senate to bid farewell to the 1872 Mining Law

President Ulysses S. Grant will be in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, March 27th as part of a campaign to modernize the Civil War-era law that governs gold, uranium and other hardrock mining in the West. In his whistle stop tour, dubbed “Farewell to 1872,” President Grant, who signed the mining law of 1872, will sign and deliver a proclamation with Colorado public officials, sportsmen, taxpayer advocates, and outdoor enthusiasts—all who support reform. Public officials will also present a letter, asking for reform, signed by over 25 Colorado elected officials, including legislators, mayors and county commissioners.

The stunt goes down at 11 a.m. on March 27 at the State Capitol. Apparently, Grant's wife will be there, too. Sounds like good times.

In an unrelated note, William Jennings Bryan will be through Greeley soon to urge the Free Silver movement along in America.