Managing whole watersheds for big fish

The Wild Rivers Coast has the opportunity to become one of the West Coast's most important salmon reserves, a concept that could help sustain human communities and salmon and steelhead populations alike. Anglers, guides and organizations like Trout Unlimited have provided a model with a new conservation initiative—the Elk River Watershed Salmon Emphasis Area.  They articulate a bold vision for the future.

"Managing a whole watershed for big fish is also unique.  But our point is that it will help Oregon's economy whether it involves sports fishing or commercial fishing."

Mike Beagle of Trout Unlimited as quoted in the Medford Mail Tribune describing the Elk River proposal. Read more at Sportsmen for the Elk, or the Medford Mail Tribune.

The two other big fish rivers on the Wild Rivers Coast, the Chetco and the Smith Rivers, have larger watersheds but offer similar opportunities to take a whole watershed approach.  Like the Elk they have a high percentage of National Forest lands within their watersheds, they're free flowing from their headwaters to the Pacific and some of the work has already been done.

The legacy of Tom McCall

The Oregon Administrative Rule that's put a hold on mining in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness was established under Governor Tom McCall. It was a time of bold environmental leadership and working across the isle that saw the public's access to Oregon's beaches preserved and the nation's first bottle recycling bill.

A priceless natural heritage—public beach along Southwest
Oregon's Wild Rivers Coast (Photograph - Barbara Ullian)

Clean Water Act puts Kalmiopsis mining plan on hold

A little known Oregon Administrative Rule—established when Tom McCall (R) was Governor and recently brought to light when mining groups sued the State of Oregon—has cast a chill on a Washington company's plans to mine the Wild Chetco River in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness.

The exceptional clarity of the Chetco's water in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness may make it impossible to mine in the Wilderness and comply with the Clean Water Act. It has implications for the validity of the three remaining mining claims in the Kalmiopsis, possibly making them worthless. But its up to the State of Oregon and the Forest Service to comply with and defend the Clean Water Act Rule. Zach Collier, Northwest Rafting Company photo.

On April 19, 2011, the Associated Press and Oregonian reported:

The Forest Service has suspended an environmental review of Rutan's gold mining plan [in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness] until he resolves the issue with the state ...

Thank federal legislators

Last week, Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Peter DeFazio re-introduced legislation that will increase protection for the National Wild and Scenic Chetco River (outside the Kalmiopsis Wilderness) and for the Oregon Caves National Monument.  Please send a quick "Thank You" email by going to KS Wild and click "Sign Petition."

Chetco River Protection Act and Oregon Caves Revitalization Act of 2011 Introduced in Congress

Wild and Scenic Chetco River that would be reclassified
as "Wild" under CRP Act.  Photo USDA Forest Service.

Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Peter DeFazio re-introduced the Chetco River Protection Act (CRP Act) on April 7th. The Act is in good company—part of a package of three bills that includes the Devil's Staircase Wilderness Act and the Oregon Caves Revitalization Act. The latter would establish a 4,000 acre Natural Preserve in the Lake and Cave Creek watersheds on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest east of Cave Junction, Oregon.

Lake Creek provides the drinking water for the National Park Service's facilities at the Oregon Caves National Monument.  Cave Creek originates as the River Styx deep within the Oregon Caves.  It exits at the main entrance of the caves and then flows under the historic Chateau to emerge below. The Preserve will be managed by the Park Service.

State Senator wants to ban suction dredges

Suction dredge mining once occurred primarily on remote streams and rivers. Its proliferation on one of the most populous and visible stretches of the Rogue River could lead to the mining method being banned in Oregon.

State Senator Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) standing on the banks of the Rogue watching about a dozen suction dredge mining operations:

 “I’ve seen what they do to rivers in California and it’s not going to happen in Oregon.”

Kalmiopsis Wilderness Trail Project

Dedicated volunteers with the Siskiyou Mountain Club recently restored about 8 miles of the 21 miles Trans-Kalmiopsis Trail. This is the only route that dives deep into the steep rugged canyons of Chetco River's watershed in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Work on the second leg of this project will begin on August 26 and end on September 5 or 6. Volunteers and donation are needed. If you can't commit to the ten days, they can use your help for shorter periods.

Read about the Siskiyou Mountain Club and their work at their blog - http://siskiyoumountainclub.blogspot.com - and join the effort. Contact Gabe Howe at 503-545-4911 or e-mail him at siskiyoumountainclub@gmail.com.

The Kalmiopsis Wilderness trail project, the club's formation and its goals are also described in the Medford Mail Tribune.

Eight plans submitted to mine the Chetco River

On June 2, 2010, Chetco River Mining and Exploration's (CRME) owner called in to KBOO Radio. He said:

"[We] assure Oregonians that after mining this area we intend to follow up with an aggressive thorough clean up of the area and bring this entire 15-20 mile stretch ecosystem back to its original state, after we strip mine it of its gold.” (Emphasis added) KBOO - 6/02/2010.

The blue-green waters of the Chetco River. Photo Barbara Ullian

What CRME means by strip mining the Chetco of its gold is anyone's guess. These are their words not ours. The amount of mining they propose at each of their claims is described in the eight mining plans the company submitted to the Forest Service to mine approximately 20 miles of this Wild and Scenic River.

Brookings - Chetco meeting packed and positive

The room at the Brookings library was packed for Lesley Adam’s (Rogue RiverKeeper) presentation on the Wild and Scenic Chetco River, why it matters and the issues facing it.  About 70 to 80 people were in attendance on August 5th.  The  conversation was lively and enthused, fueled by homemade cookies and coffee brought by volunteers.  The next day, the meeting was reported to be the talk of Brookings, the community at the mouth of the Chetco River on southwest Oregon's spectacular Wild Rivers Coast.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to the great evening.

Chetco River in the news

The Medford Mail Tribune recently editorialized on the need for Congress to reform the 1872 Mining Law and the Associated Press reported on Oregon's new suction dredge mining permit which includes an interesting twist for the Wild and Scenic Chetco and Kalmiopsis Wilderness.

The Wilderness Ethic

In our post "More valuable than gold" we provide the link to a post on the Cleanest Line, one of the blogs on Patagonia's website. The post from 2008 is titled: Kalmiopsis - Fly Fisherman Mikey Wier Searches for Steelhead in the Oregon Wilderness

Wier went to catch one of the Chetco's wild steelhead in one of the wildest wildernesses in the West, the Kalmiopsis. On that count he failed. On another he found riches beyond his expectations and beyond what most of us will ever experience. He wrote:

"Then I realized how lucky I was to have had the chance to see those fish in their native habitat doing what they have been doing for thousands of years."

Oregon issues 1,205 permits to mine its waterways

According to reports, the State of Oregon has issued 1,205 Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permits (NPDES) for suction dredge mining. The permits provide authorization to the mine streams and rivers of Oregon. Known as 700 PM, the general permit is issued under the State's authority to implement the Clean Water Act (CWA). It's available on the internet and simply has to be filled out and mailed to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality with a $25.00 check. 700 PM allows the permitees to mine with little or no oversight. Suction dredge mining can begin on the Wild and Scenic Chetco River on July 15th. Note: We incorrectly reported that the state issued 2,000 permits for suction dredge mining.

Chetco River Protection Act Introduced

On Wednesday, June 15th, Representatives DeFazio, Wu and Blumenauer and Senators Wyden and Merkley introduced the Chetco River Protection Act—legislation that will increase protection for the National Wild and Scenic Chetco River that's threatened by proposals to mine almost half its length. See press releases below and how to send a thank you message to the congressional delegation.

The Chetco—one of nation's most endangered rivers

June 2, 2010 - American River’s released its America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ report to spotlight the nation’s ten most imperiled rivers. Southwest Oregon’s National Wild and Scenic Chetco River, threatened by proposals to mine almost half it’s length, is the 7th most endangered river in the nation.  Ask the Obama Administration to withdraw the Chetco River from the Mining Law and read recent editorials.

1872 Mining Law

The 1872 Mining Law governs hardrock mining on publicly owned lands in the United States.  It was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant and has remained virtually unchanged for 138 years. The antiquated law and equally archaic government policies result in mining, by default, becoming the highest and best use of public lands, which are open to operation of the Mining Law—even on priceless National Wild and Scenic Rivers, like the Chetco.

Protecting the Chetco

In order to provide the best possible protection for the National Wild and Scenic Chetco River, the Oregon Congressional Delegation recently introduced the Chetco River Protection Act.  It's  based on Forest Service recommendations.  But legislation takes time to pass in a busy Congress.  In the interim the Obama Administration has been asked to withdraw approximately 19 miles of the Wild and Scenic Chetco River (on National Forest land) from operation of the Mining Law in order to give Congress the time it needs to act.