Measure Would Put Mining Rights In Reserve On Mount St. Helens

Legislation to let the government acquire all privately held mining and geothermal rights within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument has been introduced by Rep. Linda Smith, R-Wash.

In a statement issued from Washington, D.C., Smith said the measure would provide credits in exchange for mineral and geothermal rights within the boundaries.

The credits, based on fair-market value, could be used to bid on future oil, gas and other mineral leases offered by the federal government in the next five years.