Protecting Land
Landscape-scale destruction
Wyoming's upper Green River valley, now known as the
Jonah Gas Field: in 1986, 1999, & 2008. Images: SkyTruth
The scale of modern resource extraction means that, no matter how responsible an operation might be, it will transform the land – sometimes irrevocably – into an industrial landscape.
We focus on two ways to minimize impacts to the land:
-
No go zones: communities need to be able to decide (or help decide) those areas where resource extraction simply doesn’t belong – whether it be drilling or mining.
This was exemplified by our work as part of the coalition to protect the Valle Vidal.
- Responsible operating and reclamation standards that minimize landscape disturbance wherever extraction occurs – whether through our model regulation program, or through our efforts to reform the 1872 Mining law.
For more information:
- Earthworks: 1872 Mining Law
- ValleVidal.org
Photos
- Earthworks: Travis Rummel's aerial photos of Newmont's Lone Tree mine in Nevada convey the landscape-scale destruction of modern mining.
- SkyTruth: Imagery of Colorado's Roan Plateau shows drilling's similar ability to impact landscapes.
Follow Earthworks