Articles written by J.p. Tangen
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 37
There is something wrong, very wrong
Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency, citing section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act, announced its intention to prohibit the use of the Bristol Bay watershed for discharging dredged or fill... — Updated 6/30/2022
Nothing is certain but death and taxes
In a recent case that crossed my desk, I was confronted by what seems to have been an easily avoided problem relating to the estate of a long-time, well-known, very sophisticated Alaska miner. Since... — Updated 8/26/2021
It was the best and the worst of times
With 2020 in the rearview mirror, now is a good time to reflect on and prognosticate about Alaska and things mining. First, with regard to things past, from the impeachment to the election, 2020... — Updated 1/14/2021
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has earned her paean
We all join in mourning the passing of one of the truly great Justices of the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Not because of her bent, but because she personified the finest qualities of a... — Updated 9/24/2020
Regulatory overreach has met its master
Without putting too fine a point on it, federal regulatory initiatives reached a crescendo during the last administration. According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, since Jan.... — Updated 1/28/2018
It's time to give some kudos to Trump
Despite the obsession of the (District of) Columbians with health care, the Russians and Twitter, it seems to me that there are one or two good things to discuss when it comes to the new... — Updated 1/14/2018
Interior Department should cut red tape
Despite some of the significant things that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has done in his brief tenure as head of the U. S. Department of the Interior, one item of broad concern, to me at least,... — Updated 1/13/2018
Draft MSHA regs may save $27.6 million
Although many of us think that it didn't go far enough, one of the more important first steps that President Trump took in January was the promulgation of Executive Order (E. O.) 13771 which imposed... — Updated 9/24/2017
Is Donald Trump the new Andrew Jackson?
There have been numerous comparisons of President Trump to President Jackson in the news and elsewhere, some of which have not been flattering to either; however, it does seem reasonable to take a... — Updated 6/18/2017
I did my civic duty today and voted
According to legend, in 333 BC, while on his way to conquer the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great stopped at Gordion, where he learned about a special wagon that had its pole tied to the wagon bod... — Updated 8/21/2016
Alaskans discuss 35 years under ANILCA
For many of us, Dec. 2, 1980 was one of the darkest days in Alaska's history, for that was the day that more than 100 million acres of public land in Alaska were ripped from the public domain and... — Updated 12/20/2015
Cops arbitrarily raid Fortymile placers
In August, according to all indications, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Crimes Task Force conducted a series of raids on placer mining operations along the Fortymile River... — Updated 9/29/2013
Lilliputian views 9th Circuit decision
The 9th Circuit handed down an en banc ruling on June 1, 2012, counter-posing placer mining on federal claims within the national forest along the Klamath River pursuant to a 36 CFR 228.4 Notice of... — Updated 6/24/2012
Miners honor Borell, appoint Paraday
The winter convention season is upon us, and the first of many such events is sponsored by the Alaska Miners Association each November. This year's convention was filled with the customary... — Updated 11/20/2011
Just kidding, the sky isn't falling
Several readers of last month's column were struck by the excessively cynical tone of my admonition that the last person out of Alaska should please turn out the lights. In retrospect, perhaps I was too rash because, in truth, Alaska will continue... — Updated 9/26/2010
Shall we count our blessings or our fingers?
The price of gold surged through $800 per ounce recently, headed north; and all gold miners (as well as the producers of many other commodities in the United States) are bound to have a happy Thanksgiving because of it. At the recent Alaska Miners... — Updated 11/25/2007
Mining and the Law: Federal mine claim holders to face new challenges
I want you to tear this article out of the paper and save it. I'll explain why in a minute, but the point is that you will want to refer to it often over the next several months if you have any inte... — Updated 8/26/2007
Mining and the law: Rio Tinto and the Pebble project
Kenai Peninsula College Anthropology Professor Alan Boraas is a frequent op-ed contributor to the Anchorage Daily News. One of his regular targets for criticism is the Pebble copper project in... — Updated 4/29/2007
Mining and the Law; 'Children of a Common Mother'
Inscribed on the Peace Arch over the international border near Blaine, Wash., are the words, "Children of a Common Mother." I have long felt that Canadians are just like Americans, except that they... — Updated 3/25/2007
Mining and the Law: The miners are coming! The miners are coming!
According to a recent World Trade Center Alaska report, for the 11-month period ending Nov. 30, 2006, mining exports represented more than 25 percent of the state's foreign exports, and foreign exports constituted 10 percent of Alaska's Gross... — Updated 2/25/2007
Mining and the Law: Governor picks knowledgeable expert to lead DEC
While the jury may still be out when it comes to our new governor, Sarah Palin, it sure seems like she is starting off on the right foot. Every administration must wrestle with the need to recruit... — Updated 1/28/2007
Mining and the Law: Northwestern miners gather at Reno convention
During the first full week in December approximately 1,800 miners and members of support industries met in Reno for the Northwest Mining Association's annual convention. The convention was character... — Updated 12/24/2006
Mining and the Law: What if we don't get a gas pipeline?
I don't know whether Alaskans will ever see a gas pipeline or not. Of course, I hope we will, but if we don't, how will we pay the cost of operating the state? We know these things. The all-Alaska... — Updated 11/26/2006
After 20-year delay, mining claimant may soon start down the long road to justice
New people, I think, have any real sense as to how much of a burden the federal government places on those who seek to develop minerals on the public domain and in the national forests. In Alaska,... — Updated 10/29/2006
Mining and the Law: The case of the Tulsequah Chief
If you have ever thought that the cost of manufactured goods is too low, and wondered what you can do about it, you might consider the case of the Tulsequah Chief prospect in nearby British... — Updated 9/24/2006