THREATS

Despite its national importance, a host of factors threaten to make the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area a lost American legacy. In addressing threats to Siskiyou Wild Rivers, there are opportunities to protect and restore the land, improve the health and safety of people in nearby communities, and create lasting jobs. There is a real danger that these opportunities will be squandered - and that the mistakes of the past will be repeated. Click on the links below for more information.

Old-growth logging in the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Area

Logging:

The diverse forests of the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area are currently targeted by some of the largest logging projects in the nation. Sometimes clothed as "fuels reduction" or post-fire "salvage" projects, commercial logging magnifies fire-risk by removing larger, fire-resistant trees, increasing fire ignition sources, leaving behind flammable slash, and cultivating hotter, drier, stands of smaller trees. Salvage logging removes critically-needed dead trees, damages sensitive soils, degrades rivers and spoils natural rejuvenation. In addition, commercial logging wastes tax-payer money while sawing away at what scientists call "one of the most biologically rich temperate forests in the world." Logging in the Siskiyous.

Mining site within the Siskiyou Wild Rivers Area

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 The grossly-outdated 1872 Mining Law (passed before the light bulb was invented) allows miners to bulldoze and suction-dredge prime salmon spawning habitat, degrade river banks,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 boast the most botanically diverse watershed in Oregon. Mining in the Siskiyous. Photo by Sandy Lonsdale

Invasive Species:

Logging, mining and off-road vehicles spread non-native plants such as gorse, scotch broom, tansy ragwort, star thistle and knapweed into sensitive areas. In addition, a non-native root disease is killing whole populations of the endemic Port-Orford-cedar (considered the most endangered forest tree species in North America). Another threat comes from the "sudden oak death" disease that is creeping northward from California, threatening a wide variety of trees. Nation-wide, invasive plants and diseases cost businesses and taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

Roads:

Decades of taxpayer-subsidized industrial logging has left our National Forests with enough roads to encircle the earth 10 times. In addition to increasing fire risk and spreading invasive species, aging roads are a serious threat to water quality, wildlife and salmon. Roads fragment habitat, increase crime, poaching, and trash dumping. Current administrative actions threat to punch new roads into roadless areas and rebuild abandoned trails into motorized vehicle routes.

In the Siskiyou, the 1997 New Year's Day Storm triggered landslides, road and culvert failures, sending tons of topsoil and road fill into rivers and streams. Besides logging roads, the Siskiyou Wild Rivers area is haunted by miles of old bulldozed mining tracks, many in roadless areas and protected Wilderness.

Off road vehicle damged area

Off-road vehicles:

Off-road vehicles (ORVs) damage sensitive plant communities, wildlife habitat and riparian areas through erosion, soil compaction, plant mortality, noise and pollution. ORVs are also a main vector for non-native, invasive plants and diseases. A single reckless ORV rider can, in a single afternoon, destroy a rare wildflower community that may have existed in the same area for millions of years. With minimal agency budgets for regulation and enforcement, lawless ORV use is a growing threat to Siskiyou Wild Rivers.