Law Commons^™

Sand Mining In Baja And Alta California, Harold Magistrale

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment will examine some geologic, environmental, and legal aspects of the international sand trade. Looking at the state of sand mining in both countries will demonstrate that the United States and Mexico have parallel regulatory structures and similar environmental concerns and will show how municipal and state officials in Baja California are ale to piggyback their economic concerns onto environmental regulations. This Comment will also examine the sand trade issue for lessons applicable to cross border trade and suggest a certification mechanism that would allow continued sand exports while preserving environmental safeguards.