Motorized mining along streams clears riparian vegetation important for keeping streams cool for salmon survival, increases erosion, damages streamside wetlands and alters the floodplain. This practice targets gravel beds critical to salmon spawning and reproduction, as well as damaging water quality and river hydrology.

Suction dredge mining involves the use of a large, gas-powered vacuum to suck up gravel on the bottom of rivers in search of gold flakes. “Asserting there is a ‘right to mine’ granted by an antiquated law from the 1800s is simply ridiculous.”

“We are defending the state of Oregon and the choice by its residents to protect iconic waterways and scenic rivers from damaging mining practices,” said Nick Cady, legal director of Cascadia Wildlands. Miners are now alleging that the state law conflicts with federal laws passed in the 1800s to encourage westward expansion. Passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2013, Senate Bill 838 placed restrictions on gold mining using suction dredges and other motorized equipment along streams to prevent harmful impacts to salmon and develop a permitting process to better protect Oregon’s waterways. MEDFORD, Ore.- To defend an Oregon law designed to protect wildlife from damaging gold mining along waterways, a broad coalition of groups moved to intervene today in a lawsuit by mining interests challenging the restrictions. Groups Defend Restrictions on Mining Practices Harmful to Salmon, Waterways, Wildlife Jonathan Evans, Center for Biological Diversity, (510) 844-7118Ĭonservation, Fishing Groups Move to Join Lawsuit to Protect Oregon From Gold Mining Impacts

Forrest English, Rogue Riverkeeper, (541) 261-2030

Suction dredge gold mining theory