Bill > SJM102

This Joint Memorial expresses the Idaho Legislature's findings on the importance of domestic mineral production for national security and economic well-being, highlighting Idaho's significant reserves of critical minerals like molybdenum, cobalt, and rare earths, which cannot be synthesized and must be mined. It acknowledges that while Idaho companies have invested in environmental improvements and best practices, federal laws and regulations, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), have created significant delays and bureaucratic hurdles in permitting mining and mineral processing operations, often located on federally managed lands. The Memorial requests that Idaho's Governor, Attorney General, and congressional delegation work with federal officials to reform these federal acts, remove these impediments, and facilitate the efficient and predictable development of critical mineral resources in Idaho, recognizing the industry's vital role in the state's economy and the nation's self-sufficiency.