By JUDITH KOHLER, Associated Press Writer
DENVER (AP) -- Environmentalists are denouncing a decision by the Obama administration to support Bush-era rules they believe give mine companies unlimited access to public lands to process ore and dump waste.
The administration has asked a federal judge to dismiss a challenge by environmental and community groups to a rule that lifted a restriction on how much public land companies can use. The groups are also challenging a 2008 rule that says companies aren't required to pay the going rate to use the land.
Environmentalists say the administration's decision conflicts with its pledge to overhaul the nearly 140-year-old law regulating hard-rock mining on public land.
The National Mining Association says the rule supported by the Obama administration is necessary for mining on federal lands in the West.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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