Counties, cities and towns have authority to regulate land use in their jurisdiction, including mining and logging activities that occur on private lands. In the last two legislative sessions, a bill has been filed to eliminate this local government authority, and similar legislation is expected again in 2020. Poor logging practices and mining can increase sediment runoff into nearby streams and lakes. State government does not regulate timber harvesting on private lands, nor does it regulate mining in floodplains (other than coal mining) such as sand and gravel extraction. Thus local government provides the only protection against environmental harm from these activities. Read our 2019 fact sheet.