Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV) sponsored H.R. 761, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013, which would effectively eliminate public review of hardrock mining activities on federally-managed public lands. The mining industry already enjoys free access to hardrock minerals on public lands, and federal land managers are required by law to give mining precedence over all other uses of public lands. While land managers are not in a position to deny hardrock mining claims, they are able to require mining companies to explain to the public how they will comply with applicable environmental laws. Eliminating this public review process would threaten water resources across the United States and limit the ability of impacted communities to protect their land, water, and health. On September 18, the House approved H.R. 761 by a vote of 246-178 (House roll call vote 471). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate took no action on this legislation.