After 26 years, PLP is still working hard to improve our operations and fight more effectively, doing all we can to preserve our Public Lands Rights. We are always looking for ways to run leaner and to be more successful with our endeavors. We take our role seriously and thank you who donate and join with us in the struggle to keep the rights we have been granted by leaders from past generations who had great foresight and acted on that wisdom.

So here we are again, another Annual Board Election. Just routine non-profit corporation requirements you say? Not so! We are growing and stretching as we have taken on more court cases and the HUGE task of supporting the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC), getting it running and self-sustaining is an ambitious project. To that end we have expanded our Board of Directors and changed positions so as to better utilize our time and talents in various ways, sort of a cross training exercise if you will.

The 2016 Board of Directors:

Ron Kliewer, President

Walt Wegner, Immediate Past President, Treasurer

Jerry Shodall, Vice President

Barry Wetherby, Director, PLP Founder

Pat Keene, Director, PLP Founder

Bill Samarin, Director

Ray Kender, Secretary

Dwayne Platz, Recording Secretary

Timothy Eakin, Director

These are your PLP volunteer Board of Directors. No one gets paid to serve; we serve because we are dedicated to the cause of Freedom and the rights granted us by our forefathers under the Constitution, the 1872 Mining Act and other rights granted by U.S. Law, One Nation, Under God.

It can be lost with one generation of apathy. Some freedom has been lost already. We are working hard to Take It Back and Keep It!

Dear Members of Public Lands for the People,

Thank you for being a supporting member of PLP. We can’t be successful in the fight to keep our public lands open to multiple use without your help. We have had many successes over the years, including the HUGE Federal Preemption win in San Bernardino last year in the combined dredging cases. When many folks band together to do something, a lot gets accomplished! Part of our mission is reaching out to those within the mining community and to other outdoor user groups. We can use your help on the Board, on special projects like research or at fundraising events and getting the word out. We can’t do it without YOU!

As you know, PLP is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation. All donations are tax deductible according to the IRS. As a non-profit organization, we have certain rules and regulations that we must follow to maintain our tax-exempt status. One of those things is maintaining the corporate structure, including a volunteer Board of Directors. No one on the Board gets paid for their service to PLP. The Board of Directors guides the direction of PLP, and is charged with the responsibility of carefully dispersing funds in the fight to keep our rights. The funds are most often used for legal expenses and costs incurred for fundraising, and getting our message out to other user groups, the media, etc.

The Board of Directors will be having their next election of approximately half the Board of Directors next Wednesday, March 2, 6 pm at:

3120 El Sebo Avenue, Hacienda Heights CA 91745

Please show up and vote, it’s your right as a PLP Member in good standing. Hope to see you there!

Thank you,

Ron Kliewer

On behalf of your Board of Directors,

Public Lands for the People

Judge Ochoa Stays CEQA Ruling in Remarkable Court Proceeding

In San Bernardino Superior Court, Judge Gilbert Ochoa candidly admitted that the mining community is being denied justice in his own courtroom by deferring a decision on the CEQA case. In what amounts to a judicial ole’, Judge Ochoa is kicking the can down the road until the California Supreme Court rules on the Brandon Rinehart case.

From Attorney James Buchal:

This morning was the scheduled time for Judge Ochoa to hear and rule upon CEQA and Administrative Procedure Act challenges to the Department’s FSEIR on suction dredging, as well as the time set for a hearing on a motion for summary judgment (and the Department’s counter-motion for judgment on the pleadings) concerning the question whether AB 120 and SB 1018 were unconstitutional for violation of the “one subject” rule in the California Constitution.

Read Judger Ochoa’s Ruling HERE

Public Lands for the People will be back in court Wednesday, January 20th at 8:30 a.m. to present oral arguments for the last 2 causes of action in front of Judge Gilbert Ochoa. Commonly referred to as the “CEQA case”, these arguments center on the State of California’s violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. The New 49’ers and Western Mining Alliance are partners with PLP in this action and will be present in court as well. Judge Ochoa has latitude to issue a ruling at the time of oral arguments or defer to a later date.

In 2015, Judge Ochoa ruled in the miner’s favor on the issue of Federal Preemption and that as a matter of LAW and in actual FACT, that the State’s “extraordinary scheme” of requiring permits then refusing to issue them is an “obstacle to the full purposes and objectives of Congress”. PLP will defend this important court victory at the appellate level against the State when necessary.

Court Information

Where:
San Bernardino Superior Court (Judge Gilbert Ochoa)
When:
Wednesday, January 20th, 8:30 a.m.
Address:
247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210

Thank you very much,
PLP Board of Directors

The Gold Prospectors Association of America will be holding their annual Gold and Treasure Shows starting Feburary 20th in Pomona, California. Public Lands for the People is scheduled to be on hand at every Gold and Treasure Show this season. It is a thrill to see familiar folks at these events, and a pleasure to meet new ones. Please attend one of these shows, stop by the PLP booth and say hello.
GPAA Gold and Treasure Show Schedule

Thank you very much,

PLP Board of Directors