In the midst of mining opposition in Storey County and the lack of regulation for mining throughout the U.S. (“In the dark,” News, Dec. 20), Nevada’s U.S. Sens. Harry Reid and Dean Heller introduced the Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2012. The act will “allow the city of Yerington to work with Nevada Copper to expand its mining operation and create jobs while also providing the city with new infrastructure, job creation and recreational opportunities,” according to a statement released from Reid’s office. The mining project is called the Pumpkin Hollow Project. Lyon County’s primary industries are mining and farming.
After the bill was stalled for some time over environmental negotiations, including conservation of the endangered sage grouse, the bill was revised last weekend to encompass protection of 48,000 acres of wilderness, in exchange for 12,500 acres to be mined by Nevada Copper. The wilderness will be named the Wovoka Wilderness, after the Northern Paiute spiritual leaders associated with starting the Ghost Dance.