The New York Times called the 137-year-old federal Mining Law a “disaster” in a July 20 editorial. The 1872 law was created to encourage development in the West by offering cheap land and allowing hardrock mining without royalties or environmental protections — policies clearly outdated in the 21st century. The outdated law has impacted several sacred sites, including the San Francisco Peaks, Mount Tenabo, Indian Pass, and the Black Hills. For more information, see Earthworks’ Web page on the need for mining reform.