Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) made the following statement regarding the U.S. Forest Service decision  to allow a Canadian company to conduct exploratory drilling to establish a hardrock mine near Mount St. Helens:

“Opening the door to drilling at the edge of Mount St. Helens is a short-sighted decision that undervalues the important benefits these public spaces offer both to our booming recreation economy and to families who come from near and far to enjoy their beauty. This mountain should be managed for current and future generations to enjoy, and I hope the Trump administration will cease their efforts to jeopardize that by allowing it to be explored for drilling."

In 2016, Senator Cantwell asked the Forest Service to deny drilling permits near Mount St. Helens.

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