THREATS

Mining

Though economically insignificant, mining is a serious threat to salmon, rivers and rare plants in the Siskiyou. The grossly-outdated 1872 Mining Law (passed before the light bulb was invented) allows miners to bulldoze and suction-dredge prime salmon spawning habitat, degrade river banks, pollute sensitive areas and even privatize public lands for just $2.50 to $5.00 an acre - the price set in 1872.

In a given year, the Siskiyou National Forest may receive from 125 to 200 Notices of Intent for proposed mining operations. A large (over 4,000 acres) nickel strip-mine proposal threatens Rough & Ready Creek in the South Kalmiopsis Roadless Area. Rough & Ready Creek and West Fork Illinois River possess the most botanically diverse watershed in Oregon.

Suction Dredging for Gold:

• Report on Impacts of Suction Dredging PDF
• Suction Dredging for Gold pictorial.
• National Public Story on suction dredging for gold.

Mining reports and updates:

• Pombo's Mining Bill would give away America's future to special interests.
• AMERICA’S WESTERN HERITAGE FOR SALE: How the 1872 Mining Law Limits Public Access to Public Land (pdf)
• Colorado residents challenge mining laws (October 16, 2005 ASSOCIATED PRESS)
• April 2005, Good News for Rough & Ready Creek!
• Press release: FOREST SERVICE withdraws approval of vehicle access to private inholding in KALMIOPSIS WILDERNESS.
• Nicore Chronology
• Rough & Ready Creek - a Wilderness Proposal
• NICORE Miner Sues U.S.: Demands $600,000,000 for Not Mining Public Land
• 1872 mining law fact sheet
  

Management Reports & Studies

• Gravel Mining in Our Waterways
• 1872 mining law fact sheet
  

• Observation of Activities Associated With Mining in Riparian Reserves and Their Affect on Fish and Wildlife Habitat
• Impacts of Mining in Stream Ecosystems