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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:

1. 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.

2. 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.